Strange uniform**Identification?

[Gandycreek]

Looks like a Confederate "battleshirt" to me or a early militia uniform.. The "V" on the buckle could be a known Buckle which has, "VSS" on it .Thought to mean Vicksburg Sharp Shooters. JMHO

 

[Nathanb1]

Wow, thanks for all the interesting comments. I had never noticed the "V' on the belt buckle.
A little more history on the photo, not necessarily on the person. This photo was one of two found in the personal effects of a lady in Arkansas. I am attaching the other "unknown" for opinions. I believe he is Lewis Pinckny Thomas "Pink". I did a side by side for easier comparison. The Thomas Brothers were from bottom left, clockwise around: William Robert Thomas, Lewis Pinckny Thomas, Thomas Seborn Thomas and John Alexander "Zan" Thomas.
William Robert Thomas and Lewis Pinckny Thomas were killed at Gettysburg. Zan was wounded at Malvern Hill and severely injured at Fredricksburg. He moved to Arkansas after the war, so he is probably the Arkansas connection to the other "unknown" photo. Thomas Seborn was also wounded at Gettysburg and taken to Point Lookout Prison in Maryland. A fifth brother, Marion Lindsey Thomas,Company "C" 13th Regiment was killed prior to this photo in the Second Manassas Battle.
The Thomas Family lived in Walnut Grove,SC where the North & South Tyger Rivers merge. The four shown were all in the Blackstock Company "K", 3rd South Carolina Infantry Regiment. As best I can gather, they were involved with the "Peach Orchard" charge at Gettysburg.
Both unknown photos came from the same lady, so it is believed they are related some how. William Robert Thomas was my GG-Grandfather. It is reported he was a physician, but I don't believe he served in that capacity in the War.
Any other information anyone has to offer, would be greatly appreciated. Thanks for all the help. I believe the "unknown" is actually Lewis Pinckny Thomas (standing in rear,on left) The hair style and hairline led me to this conclusion mostly.
View attachment 2482

The guy on the left has an amazing resemblance to the "Gallant Pelham," whoever he is!

 

[wayne jackson]

mighty rusty butcher knife for combat use

 

[dvrmte]

mighty rusty butcher knife for combat use

I looked at that with interest. The knife seems to be in a sheath attached to his belt. The knife doesn't seem to have any guard either. It ain't nothing you'd want to fight with.

It's a kitchen knife.

 

[Glorybound]

John Pelham
(1838-1863)


Although "The Gallant Pelham" served the entire war with the artillery, he was destined to fall while moonlighting in a cavalry charge.

A native Alabamian, he withdrew from West Point upon the outbreak of hostilities and joined the Confederate army. His assignments included: lieutenant, Wise (Va.) Artillery (early 1861); captain, Stuart Horse Artillery (March 23, 1862); major, Artillery (August 9, 1862); lieutenant colonel, Artillery (April 4, 1863, to rank from March 2); and commanding Horse Artillery Battalion, Cavalry Division, Army of Northern Virginia (August 1862-March 17, 1863).

After fighting at lst Bull Run, he became the captain of the first horse artillery battery that served with JEB Stuart, becoming close friends with the general. Commanding his unit, he saw action at Yorktown and during the Seven Days. Promoted, he commanded all of Stuart's horse batteries at 2nd Bull Run and Antietam. At Fredericksburg he held up the advance of a Union division against the Confederate right with only two guns. With only one gun left, he continued to shift positions despite the fact that 24 enemy guns were now concentrating their fire on him.

Disobeying repeated orders to withdraw, he only did so upon running out of ammunition. General Lee observed and said, "It is glorious to see such courage in one so young!"

Known as the "Boy Major," he heard of an impending action at Kelly's Ford on March 17, 1863. Away from his battalion at the time, he joined the fray with the cavalry. He fell victim to a shell fragment while directing a column past a fence. Thought to be dead, he was thrown over a horse and led from the field. Quite a while later he was lowered to the ground and found to be still alive. He died shortly thereafter. Some believed that prompt attention might have saved his life. (Hassler, William Woods, Coloneljohn Pelbam, Lee's Boy Artillerist)

http://www.civilwarhome.com/pelhambio.htm

 

[dbd29374]

Tell me more of "Gallant Pelham", I have never heard of him.

 

[ole]

There is a biography titled "The Gallant Pelham." He was a favorite of JEB Stuart and got favorable attention.

 

[Stonewall123]

Hello Gentlemen,

I have not posted for quite a while. I have been very busy reading Mc Pherson, Sears, and Foote. After which my wife tells me I have developed a Southern drawwwwl.
Back to that strange uniform. I think its a theatrical invention, the canteen looks very small and quite highly decorated and the subject looks very well fed and neat and tidy. Even studio shots of soldiers in their best attire look quite shabby compared to this boy.
Stonewall123

 

[Lnwlf]

Just a stab in the dark here, but could it be a pre war state malitia or early war BANDSMAN? I recollect seeing some bands in period photographs with the ribcage look on the front. The "V" may be Vermont or Virginia or city county for regional malitias. Like I said, it is a stab in the dark, and another tree y'all can bark up!.
Lnwlf

 

[skippy]

Greetings dbd,

I have studied your photo for quite a while. I enhanced and modified your picture to achieve a better image.

I'm convinced that this recruit is from the 1st Virginia cavalry in the early stages of the war.
It was common for soldiers to modify their battle shirts, either from home or on boring days at the camp sites
between battles.

The shirt is not buttoned like a western shirt as you first thought. The buttons are only sawn on to simmulate
the note ends of the black embroidery as found on the 1st Virgina jackets, as a matter of fact there are jackets were brass buttons were used on both sides making three rows, the middle was actually buttoned up. Since this a shirt he just pulled it over his head. He also has a pocket on his right breast. Further more he does have sargeants strips on his lower arm rather than on his upper arm as would be regulation. But since he modified his shirt so extream pulling
the black shoulder flaps down so far, there was no room to place the strips on the upper arm accordingly.

With the enhancements I made, I really don't see a V on his belt, it is more of a crease or just a mark. It looks to be
a common double buckle belt system used at the time. His pistole is odd, it could be of European manufacture, despite my modification on your photo it is still very hard to identify. His trousers though seem to be of heavier structure which would indicate cavalry.

The canteen shoulder strap is interesting though. This type of pattern on the shoulder strap was very common
in the early stages of the war (blue, white, blue, white, blue) or (white, blue, white, blue, white) the white being more
buff or butternut in color. I have an original canteen with strap with the second color pattern as mentioned above.
This pattern was used both north and south in the early stages of the war.

He's knife is just placed in his lap without a scabbard which would mean he would have it more than likely in
his boot. Boots, again speaks for cavalry.

So to round it up. It is a modified 1st Virginian cavalry battle shirt with all the black markings and buttons
on the right spot in early 1861. Battle shirts were modified particularly within the cavalry. They were almost
modified with great extremeness, to stand out. Modifying battle shirts was a common practice.

The Virginia 1st Cavalry completed its organization at Winchester, Virginia, in July, 1861, under the command of Colonel James Ewell Brown Stuart (JEB)

I have uploaded a pic for you from the 6th Virginia Cavalry wearing variations of the 'battle shirts' often seen in 1861.

I hope this helped you.

Kind regards

Skip

 

[Nathanb1]

The guy on the left has an amazing resemblance to the "Gallant Pelham," whoever he is!

OMG...just re-read what I wrote! I knew who Pelham was (but good on you guys for answering that for those who don't!) I meant the guy in the photo!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Lordy!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I must have already taken my Ambien when I wrote that!