Uniforms West virginia Buttons

[Capt7thWvCoA]

During the war did units from West Virginia have state seal buttons available to put on their uniforms or did they not exist yet ? I've heard people say yes and know . I'm looking for a definitive answer.

 

[bobinwmass]

During the war did units from West Virginia have state seal buttons available to put on their uniforms or did they not exist yet ? I've heard people say yes and know . I'm looking for a definitive answer.

There are apparently no Civil War era West Virginia military buttons. Tice does not list any West Virginia buttons at all in his button book that goes through 1865. I've seen people trying to sell West Virginia buttons on Ebay as Civil War, but those buttons, while they may be made by makers who were active during the CW, like Scovill or Horstmann, all have later backmarks. Either those sellers are mistaken in the date of their buttons, or they are purposely trying to rip people off. A warning to anyone button shopping on Ebay or similar sites, a lot of buttons being listed as Civil War are not. Get a couple reference books before doing much buying.

 

[RedRover]

The State of West Virginia joined the Union on June 20, 1863. The State Government adopted a seal on September 26, 1863.

The Militia laws of the new State did not require any particular buttons or insignia for commissioned officers or uniformed volunteer militia companies, etc. The volunteer militia uniform was to be under the Governor's authority or direction.

The majority of the West Virginia troops in the US Army evidently wore the uniform of the United States Army.

Joseph Debar sketched some West Virginia militia scouting for guerrillas, etc. No particular uniform.

 

[Capt7thWvCoA]

The State of West Virginia joined the Union on June 20, 1863. The State Government adopted a seal on September 26, 1863.

View attachment 534916

The Militia laws of the new State did not require any particular buttons or insignia for commissioned officers or uniformed volunteer militia companies, etc. The volunteer militia uniform was to be under the Governor's authority or direction.

View attachment 534919


The majority of the West Virginia troops in the US Army evidently wore the uniform of the United States Army.

View attachment 534920


Joseph Debar sketched some West Virginia militia scouting for guerrillas, etc. No particular uniform.

View attachment 534950

Is there any reference to the uniforms they did wear , like frock coats or sack coats ? I'm working on a impression of a soldier that would have fought in the 7th wv infantry

 

[RedRover]

Is there any reference to the uniforms they did wear , like frock coats or sack coats ? I'm working on a impression of a soldier that would have fought in the 7th wv infantry

Typical Union Army clothing and equipment evidently. From the history of the 7th, at Robertson's crossroads in late 1863 reference to fatigue blouses (sack coat).

Here's the 8th WV Infantry parading in US Army greatcoats...

Lt. Col. John G. Kelly, 7th WV:

 

[Package4]

Is there any reference to the uniforms they did wear , like frock coats or sack coats ? I'm working on a impression of a soldier that would have fought in the 7th wv infantry

This part of Virginia was at a loss of what to call itself after the state convention voted to secede in April of 1861, Loyal Virginia, Kanawha, or other. What is known is that those militia in the region west of the Allegheny Mountains was to be called Virginia Volunteer Militia in the Service of the United States as of 25 June 1861. Recruiting and arming were problematic in the early days as the area was also traversed by secession troops, so much of the recruiting, uniforming and accoutering of these volunteers took place in neighboring loyal states such as Ohio and PA. My ancestor Charles E Swearingen brought his company of PA militia to this region since PA already had their allotment of troops, he became Major of the 6th Loyal VA Cavalry.

All reference to uniforms of the Loyal Virigina troops as well as the later West Virginia troops indicate that they wore the uniform of the US Army, as such a sack coat, for field and frock for dress, would be the norm, but also regimental preference would take precedence.

Prior to the outbreak of the war Virginia militia companies wore as permitted by Virginia Law, uniforms of their own preference. Subsequently, clothing for state troops not in Federal Service were authorized to be drawn from US Quartermaster stores, by order of the Secretary of War, again this was supplied from depots outside the state.

I do know that Pvt Charles Wells Co E 14th WV died wearing a sack coat, forage cap and regulation trousers on his way home to Grafton, WV after "recovering" from a head wound at Berryville. He was discharged from hospital #1 at Frederick, MD, so I assume he was given new clothing while in recovery. The forage cap that I have of his shows very little use and is pictured elsewhere here.

Thomas H McKee, "Military Affairs in West Virginia"

Theodore F Lang "Loyal West Virginia from 1861 to 1865"