Confederate Artillery Uniform?

[Capnball]

Hi folks,
Am looking into getting myself a new uniform by Shiloh, as my current uniform is an incorrect late-war affair. I portray a member of Freeman's Battery, Forrest's Artillery. Freeman's was not formed until fall of '62, and so I'm looking for references for an enlisted man's CS artillery uniform, that would be correct for Shiloh. The other thing is that I'll want to wear this uniform to a lot of future events, and want something that will be acceptable. I had thought about one of the Washington Artillery uniforms, but didn't know how correct it would be for my impression. As a note: John W. Morton, in his book "The Artillery of Nathan Bedford Forrest's Cavalry" mentions several times recieving new uniforms from the folks at home, and also mentions being clad in a "handsome artillery uniform" at Ft. Donelson. Granted, he was a Lieutenant at the time.

As I frequently work the forward positions on the gun, I am required to wear a coat, and as I would like to improve the authenticity of my kit, I would like to make a good, serviceable western confederate artilleryman's uniform. I don't want anything overly fancy, but would like to know what patterns and fabrics would be the most acceptable, trim options, buttons, & etc... Any help, references, regulations, and especially photos of pre-shiloh confederate artillerymen or surviving specimens would be GREATLY appreciated! Thanks for your time,

[Anders]

Honestly, Western Confederates are not my specialty, but one can never go wrong with a correct civilian sack coat in jean/satinette/ cords and Civilian trousers made out of the same.

These with civilian buttons, on a correct pattern can be used by CS troops for most timeframes and campaigns.

[Capnball]

Mr. Anders,
Thanks for the help. If push comes to shove, I will not let my personal wants trump authenticity, but I would really like a well-researched confederate artillery uniform. I understand that confederates, as a whole, were underdressed, with a lot of civilian clothes, but I also feel like confederate reenactors (especially artillery) often take the casual approach too far. I greatly appreciate good civilian garb, but I would prefer a uniform. HOWEVER, again, I will not let personal preference trump authenticity.

[Blair]

Jordan,

Just a suggestion on my part... all too often, the color Branch of service is over done in many Artillery, and I might add Cav. Units.
Stay with your ideas of a Military uniform if this is what you wish. Leave off or out all that red trim, it has been over done to a fault.
It will also give you a uniform that you will find infinitely more usable in other reenacting endeavors. More bang for your reenacting buck, in a manner of speaking.

[Forrestcavalryman]

I agree with Blair, stay away from trim! Your cannon will let people know that you artillery.

[MarkTK36thIL]

Maybe save the documented uniform for a specific portrayal of a unit, and use the PEC type as a general, everyday uniform. If I wore a zouve outfit because it was documented to my unit, but had to fall in with another group of guys for an event, I would be "that guy" who doesn't match the others. Granted, not wearing red trim will might make you stand out as well.

[Tiger_rifles]

Not wishing to beat the dead horse here, but I have to agree w/Mr. Anders...... you can not do better than a four button sack coat in jean or satinette for an all around good CS impression. Now if you wanna go as early as 1862/Shiloh and you want some "flash" why not try a battle shirt! I made one up for Balls Bluff, hand stitched the whole thing and even put on all the trim/tape myself. Many battle shirts had red trim/tape so this would be accepted for CS Infantry as well as CS Artillery. After Shiloh you can strip off the tape and now you have a warm over shirt for when the cooler weather hits.

http://www.google.com/imgres?q=battle+shirt+red&start=268&um=1&hl=en&sa=N&biw=1440&bih=719&tbm=isch&tbnid=du1buvt8Qa2WhM:&imgrefurl=http://www.railsplitter.com/sale13/photohi13.htm&docid=br8Dx9zHnUkt9M&imgurl=http://www.railsplitter.com/sale13/images/4199.jpg&w=752&h=438&ei=RImwTor1CIiIiALK_NznDw&zoom=1&chk=sbg&iact=hc&vpx=173&vpy=247&dur=6646&hovh=171&hovw=294&tx=107&ty=134&sig=101692311521429902885&page=14&tbnh=141&tbnw=203&ndsp=22&ved=1t:429,r:16,s:268

[akcampaigner]

I would review "Cadet Grey and Butternut Brown" for it provides many descriptions of the Confederate army at Shiloh and other early war battles. Depending on the unit that you plan on recreating, try to pick up a copy of "Portraits of Conflict" of the corresponding state that you would like to portray.

[Capnball]

Thanks for all the suggestions, guys. Mr. Kasmar, I will definitely look those books up. The rest of you: I already have a generic uniform. I also understand the concerns about trim, (and I may not use any) but keep in mind, I want to put together a CS artilleryman's uniform, NOT just another generic CS uniform! That being said, if said uniform just isn't the thing for the time and place, I'll go with the time and place. Also, I must state again that a coat, not a battle shirt, must be worn by No's 1 and 2 while serving the piece.

I kinda feel like the majority of confederate reenactors seen at mid-stream events are wearing an awful lot of generic clothing, and while a lot of that is correct, I feel there is plenty of room-especially for the Shiloh period-for a few good, researched, branch-specific enlisted-men's uniforms.

[Capnball]

I also meant to say, I agree wholeheartedly about the overuse of branch trim in cav. and art'y., esp. in the latter. I also can't stand all the goofy farby hats, primer wires everywhere, etc....

BUT! Some trim can be a good thing, sometimes.

[Forrestcavalryman]

Jordan, what is the reason for #1 and #2 having to wear coats? I don't know very much about artillery.

[jda3rd]

Jordan, what is the reason for #1 and #2 having to wear coats? I don't know very much about artillery.
Numbers 1 and 2 wear coats and heavy gloves, for protection in the event of a premature discharge of the piece.


Frank Brower
Jeff Davis Artillery

[vamick]

"BUT! Some trim can be a good thing, sometimes."

I agree with this too! it seems the pendulum swings between "dripping red firemen" and none at all.. Ive seen plenty images
and accounts of "some" trim even up to late war in the ANV not as familar with western units but I dont think a single red pipe around the top collar seam of a shell jacket for instance would be unauthenic for Ive also seen just the epilets trimed.. less is diffently the way to go.

[Reliccrazy]

Andrew Kasmar would be the guy to listen too. I'm very impressed by a jacket I got from him and photos he has scans of.

Washington light artillery has good surviving photos of them in uniforms, course they are on the upper end of confederates out west here.

I looked through and found a couple photos of Rebel Artillery men. I think a battleshirt is an easy one to go with, but ask around Authentic campaigner too.

http://community.webshots.com/user/Confederates - Look around these photos. Might help. Many seem early war too and are even I'Ded.

I listed some Artillery men too.

http://news.webshots.com/photo/1506872657081485148hGEVab

http://news.webshots.com/photo/2923544650081485148IZxhyd

http://news.webshots.com/photo/2616739320081485148blTdsK

http://news.webshots.com/photo/2651432890081485148rcUxCO

http://news.webshots.com/photo/1506902900081485148ZIVhAY

Hope this helps.

[Jim Mayo]

11073
Shell jacket worn by John Ashton of the Norfolk Light Artillery Blues. This is in the Portsmouth Naval Museum. Of course the Blues were in the ANV and were also a well financed unit.

[robinslm]

Here are two more shell jackets. They are officer shell jackets, but still provide possible options for artillery jackets.

[Capnball]

Thanks! Awesome pics, guys!!! Keep 'em comin'! Sean, I was delighted to discover that one of the pics you posted the link to was an ID'd photo of an officer in my unit, Freeman's Battery! Too bad it wasn't a non-com or a private :). Can't have everything. Have ya'll seen the pic of the officers and non-commissioned officers of A.M. Rutledge's Tennessee Battery (they were at Shiloh) in "Shadows of the Storm"? The pic is not relevant enough, as it was taken too long before Shiloh (Jul. 4th, '61), but it is interesting.

[Capnball]

Anybody know who these guys are, and where and when this photo was taken? The photo is on the Shiloh NPS site as a representative of what confederate artillerymen at Shiloh would've looked like. I find it very interesting that most of them are in what appear to overshirts/battleshirts, and all of them are wearing kepis. The presence of REVOLVER HOLSTERS on several of them is also very interesting. They appear to me to be possibly flap-less holsters(?), and they also appear to be empty(?). Maybe they didn't want to carry the weight for just a drill or photo shoot:), which I fully understand.

11078

[Capnball]

Anybody know who these guys are, and where and when this photo was taken? The photo is on the Shiloh NPS site as a representative of what confederate artillerymen at Shiloh would've looked like. I find it very interesting that most of them are in what appear to overshirts/battleshirts, and all of them are wearing kepis. The presence of REVOLVER HOLSTERS on several of them is also very interesting. They appear to me to be possibly flap-less holsters(?), and they also appear to be empty(?). Maybe they didn't want to carry the weight for just a drill or photo shoot:), which I fully understand.

11078



Okay, so upon closer examination, at least most of the holsters DO appear to be flap type.

[Tiger_rifles]

I would not say they are "flap-less" holsters just that they are "civilian" holsters. Or better to say not US Ordnance made or copies of. There are also many examples of "civilian" holsters that did have a flap. A few of us here in Colorado portray Texas troops, Sibleys Army of New Mexico, and run into the same issue. I make about 4/5 differant styles of civilian holsters from originals we have found.

And yes, there would have been a large number of "overshirts"/"battleshirts" as late as Shiloh.....(just like I suggested back on page one!).

About 7+ years ago I took a chance and bought a full Art-man uniform off of Ebay, payed $100 I think. NC buttons and red tape EVERYWHERE! As I replaced the buttons w/pewter domes and stripped the red off, I found this was a NC 4 button sack coat set,(trousers, kepi), in a very heavy weave jean wool, and that they had cut the tails of the coat off about 6 in.'s below the last button. After getting the black off also, I found a great looking suit of clothes! A freind conned me out of the jacket for $40 and I have been trying to buy that jacket back for 6 years! Still my best pair of trousers.
Whats my point???? A good four button sack can be trimmed in red tape for early war then taken off for late war CS. "I'm just say-in!"

[Artyman]

Find a copy of the Troiani painting of Pelham at Fredericksburg. Short jackets piped in red. Not much red on Pelham either. Great look, works for the whole war.

Does your unit have a uniform standard? A period pic or documentation? Find that out before you press on!

My early war confederate impression shows in my avatar. Yankee shell jacket, 1859 US artillery forage cap, jean wool trousers! Red in it, but Federal in nature :)

Harry