Vests

[major bill]

Vests were popular as a private purchase item. Many offiers bought them, but enlisted used them as well. Despite the popularity of vest they were not an issued item by the Federal Government. A few states issued vest early in the War. I can not fully understand why the Federal Government did not issue vests. Does anyone have information about the Federal Government issuing vests or even studying the use of vests?

 

[Package4]

Not to my knowledge.

 

[Reb]

Vests were popular as a private purchase item. Many offiers bought them, but enlisted used them as well. Despite the popularity of vest they were not an issued item by the Federal Government. A few states issued vest early in the War. I can not fully understand why the Federal Government did not issue vests. Does anyone have information about the Federal Government issuing vests or even studying the use of vests?

My question would be what military purpose would a vest serve?

 

[major bill]

They are worn so the coat can be worn open or partly open. They can be used fo extra warmth by leaving the coat buttoned. In the past vests with sleeves were worn on some details instead of the coat. There are many photographs of both officers and enlisted men wearing privatly purchased vests, which shows vests were reasonably popular.

 

[Package4]

Vests were popular as a private purchase item. Many offiers bought them, but enlisted used them as well. Despite the popularity of vest they were not an issued item by the Federal Government. A few states issued vest early in the War. I can not fully understand why the Federal Government did not issue vests. Does anyone have information about the Federal Government issuing vests or even studying the use of vests?

If you study the photographs of the dead in the trenches of Petersburg (VA), one will see that the majority wear vests, no doubt for the warmth.