This One's Weird

[Manassas 1861]

Today's photograph is from the library of congress. An unidentified Union captain in a strange looking uniform. Officers purchased their own uniforms, so some officers had different uniforms than others.

 

[Kurtlg]

You gotta love the revolver half tucked in the pocket. If he bent over a bit it would fall out. As a prop it would have looked better if he held it , but he had to do the hand tucked in the jacket thing that was popular. It certainly is a unique uniform.

 

[captaindrew]

Sure that's a Union officer? There were early CS uniforms that sported that style of trim and many CS officers early war wore shoulder boards, especially those in pre war militia units.

 

[Manassas 1861]

Sure that's a Union officer? There were early CS uniforms that sported that style of trim and many CS officers early war wore shoulder boards, especially those in pre war militia units.

Yep, the library of congress has it labeled as a Union officer in a captains uniform.

 

[captaindrew]

Well it very well may Union be but if he's unidentified he's unidentified. There were certainly variations in officer's garb, just look at George Custer. But that trim was popular on early CS uniforms, the state of Louisiana comes to mind if you want to check some out. Would be interesting to see the back of the photo to see if there's a studio stamp on it. That would be a big clue as to where it was taken.

 

[A. Roy]

It's possible that the LOC has erroneous information - wouldn't be the first time. I think archives sometimes just adopt whatever information was given to them at the time of accession.
ARB

 

[captaindrew]

Speaking of Custer there's a well known photo of him sitting with a captured CS officer whom he was friends with who just happens to be actually wearing a very similar jacket.

 

[scooter748driver]

It does look similar to me

 

[captaindrew]

It's possible that the LOC has erroneous information - wouldn't be the first time. I think archives sometimes just adopt whatever information was given to them at the time of accession.
ARB

Yup, and it's certainly easy at first glance in this instance to see shoulder boards and automatically assume it's Federal. There's plenty of photographic evidence out there that shoulder boards were not uncommon on CS officers particularly early war. In fact I've based my early war officer's impression on this captain from Georgia. ( my group portrays a Ga. unit )

 

[Old Soldier]

Yup, and it's certainly easy at first glance in this instance to see shoulder boards and automatically assume it's Federal. There's plenty of photographic evidence out there that shoulder boards were not uncommon on CS officers particularly early war. In fact I've based my early war officer's impression on this captain from Georgia. ( my group portrays a Ga. unit ) View attachment 501542

This is a direct print and mirror-image. Note the way the jackets fasten. The bayonet frog is on the wrong side too and the bayonet blade is on the wrong side of the rifle. In the same way, the officers sword has the shell guard on the wrong side - facing in instead of out. All very neatly rearranged to make the photo more realistic.

 

[Nathan Stuart]

It seems the subject (or maybe the photographer) here was most keen to show/include the weapon for impression/effect within this particular photographic frame - hence the revolver being half-tucked into the upper jacket pocket

 

[Old Soldier]

It seems the subject (or maybe the photographer) here was most keen to show/include the weapon for impression/effect within this particular photographic frame - hence the revolver being half-tucked into the upper jacket pocket

Most of these photos tend to do that, particularly early on. There are photos of line soldiers with huge knives and two revolvers - even some British and French ones - invariably without any sort of field equipment. Makes them look good though.They are usually studio photos and it seems that those studios did have a number of 'props' available to make it a 'good photo'.

 

[Nathan Stuart]

Seeing the photos of conventionally held multiple weapons carried by these individuals makes one think that the young Captain in the OP was fixated on getting pictured with his firearm, no matter how odd it appeared. (But in the absence of any belt or holster, thought it interesting that he chose this pose, rather than to customarily hold the weapon, like the others do).

 

[Old Soldier]

Seeing the photos of conventionally held multiple weapons carried by these individuals makes one think that the young Captain in the OP was fixated on getting pictured with his firearm, no matter how odd it appeared. (But in the absence of any belt or holster, thought it interesting that he chose this pose, rather than to customarily hold the weapon, like the others do).

The hand in the coat was the more ... civilised/well-mannered ... gesture.

 

[Gray Ghost1]

Today's photograph is from the library of congress. An unidentified Union captain in a strange looking uniform. Officers purchased their own uniforms, so some officers had different uniforms than others.View attachment 501532

Looks like a yankee captain............they made great targets; lol; he must of got that cheap uniform at Walmart..........lol

 

[Story]

From the LOC posting on flick

https://flic.kr/p/8Y2H8n

Notes: Title devised by Library staff.

<translation from academia>

Scientific wild-ass guess - Wikipedia

en.wikipedia.org

 

[captaindrew]

From the LOC posting on flick

https://flic.kr/p/8Y2H8n

Notes: Title devised by Library staff.

<translation from academia>

Scientific wild-ass guess - Wikipedia

en.wikipedia.org

LOVE IT!

 

[Package4]

Today's photograph is from the library of congress. An unidentified Union captain in a strange looking uniform. Officers purchased their own uniforms, so some officers had different uniforms than others.View attachment 501532

I believe the caption to be correct, he sports a uniform with a velvet collar lining, which is normal and the tailor thought to continue it down the front. No doubt his fatigue coat.

 

[Package4]

Check out this wild coat that Ben Greenbaum had at last Summer's Civil War Show in Dorsey, VA.

 

[7thWisconsin]

That hand in the coat thing imitates the pose of the classical Romans holding their hand inside the fold of their toga. It´s supposed to imply dignity and respect.