Shoulder Straps and Chevrons!!

[Manassas 1861]

This ambrotype is for sale by the Horse Soldier. An early war Reb cavalry sergeant, with shoulder straps?! Pssibly service stripes, or maybe he's a sergeant major, haha.

 

[RedRover]

Surgeon Brinton of the US Army noted of Confederate officers he met in 1861 in Tennessee...

Since practically every volunteer company in the Confederate Army had its own official uniform in 1861 (even including no particular uniform at all), there is a vast variation on insignias, which was only corrected by the publication of the CS Army's uniform regulations in July, 1861 as a standard to conform to. But since these were volunteer rather than regular units, the variety of insignias lasted about as long as their uniforms (which in most cases could not be replaced after wearing out in service).

John Worsham of the 21st Virginia Volunteers, recalled his company's uniform included lace on the collar, precisely like that subsequently regulated for CS Army First lieutenants. A fact which caused some confusion that he and his fellow high privates took advantage of here and there...

.....

 

[Rhea Cole]

The hat appears to be an 1858 model " hardee" cavalry hat.

Link:

Museums & Collections (U.S. National Park Service)

www.nps.gov

Over his shoulder is the strap of a dispatch bag. The bag is behind his hand. Cavalry were detailed as dispatch riders carrying documents between headquarters.

There is no sword belt or baldric. Most likely the sword is a photographer's prop.

The coat is a type worn by both sides.

The shoulder straps were part of some prewar militia uniforms. They could have been added by whoever over painted the image.

The image has been heavily overpainted in the typical style.

The hat & shoulder straps are typically pre to early war. There is nothing that I can see that indicates which army he was in.

Does an inscription on the back say which side he was on? Without that, all I can say is he most likely was an early war dispatch rider.

 

[13 IL Cav & 64 GA Inf]

This ambrotype is for sale by the Horse Soldier. An early war Reb cavalry sergeant, with shoulder straps?! Pssibly service stripes, or maybe he's a sergeant major, haha.View attachment 542167

I am confused by the posts responding to this, and wonder because of that if this soldier could be an early-war officer and not a sergeant. I'll keep following.

 

[Rhea Cole]

I am confused by the posts responding to this, and wonder because of that if this soldier could be an early-war officer and not a sergeant. I'll keep following.

There were no "sergeant officers." The militia shoulder straps were purely decorative, not indicating rank. Everyone had them.

The frock coat he is wearing was essentially identical for both sides.

 

[13 IL Cav & 64 GA Inf]

There were no "sergeant officers." The militia shoulder straps were purely decorative, not indicating rank. Everyone had them.

Thanks for the clarification. I know of course that sergeants are non-coms, but was indeed confused by the uniform.

 

[Rhea Cole]

Thanks for the clarification. I know of course that sergeants are non-coms, but was indeed confused by the uniform.

The early war period is a kaleidoscope of uniforms. They used whatever was available.

 

[RedRover]

The chap in the image is wearing a common military saber belt. Appears that it might be an 1841 or 1851 pattern Cavalry saber belt in buff leather... as described in 1850:

Or the post 1851 type...

The plate is not visible so it is not easy to distinguish which pattern, if either of the above, or a local copy...

 

[RetiredCanuck]

Perhaps the dual rank confusion stems from something that did not even exist on the original photo? Note that it has been altered with paint. This was quite common with B/W photos well into the 20th century. In fact my parents own wedding photo was colourized in such a fashion.
I'm looking hard at the photo but it's pretty tough to know for sure if either was painted on. Just putting another idea out for thought.