NC Depot Jackets

[NC1862]

How prevalent were issues of N.C. Depots to NC troops serving in the ANV as opposed to issue to troops in the state?

[Fifer26]

Tyler,

As of 28 September 1864, 20,000 suits of uniforms from the CS central government (as opposed to the state) had been issued to North Carolina troops (Official Records, Ser. 4, Vol. 3, p. 692). Greg Mast's book "State Troops and Volunteers" shows Richmond Depot Type II jackets on troops from a number of NC regiments, but from the above figure it seems clear that most NC troops wore NC pattern jackets. Remember that each soldier had received several sets of uniform by that time, so 20,000 is a fairly small percentage.

Bill Bynum
26th NCT

[madisontigers]

Tyler,

It would depend upon where the quartermaster, either of a particulair company, or of the regiment, filed his requisition form. North Carolina and Georgia were the only two states in the Confederacy, to manage and operate their own quartermaster system throughout the war. As a result, it is not uncommon to see requisitions from NC and Ga. However, keep in mind, that these two states also drew supplies from the Central government.For example, during research that my friend has conducted on the 29th NC, it clearly shows that this regiment drew clothing from a variety of sources, both state, and central government, throughout the war.
If you are looking for a specific unit, and or time period, send me a PM, and I'll look through my research database.

David Long

[Tarky]

How prevalent were issues of N.C. Depots to NC troops serving in the ANV as opposed to issue to troops in the state?

According to my research 10,000 suits to the AOT in late 64'. 14,000 suits to Longstreet's Corp Spring 64'. and another 10,000 turned over to the Quartermaster for general distribution in late summer 1864.

From Cadet Gray and Butternut Brown

Tarky
Tom Arliskas

[NC1862]

Thank you gentlemen, for the responses. Here is some more bits of info I located.

"North Carolina was a widely used jacket. As North Carolina troops saw action on both the eastern and western fronts. it is perhaps one of the only ones that may have been universally issued to both Armies. The jackets used by the Army of Tennessee were of jeancloth, with again the standard osnaburg lining, with a six-button front. It was similar to the Columbus, but slightly shorter in the body. The Army of Tennessee had these issued at Dalton, Georgia, in the winter of 1863/64, and again at Palmetto, Georgia, in September 1864."

"North Carolina maintained a private depot in Richmond where State troops were issued clothing from. As an illustration, the 4th North Carolina was issued on April 4th 1863, 2,000 jackets, 500 pairs of drawers, 635 shirts, 2,030 pairs of pants, 1,500 pairs of socks, 1,980 pairs of shoes and 100 caps, all in new condition. The regiment at this time numbered not more than 500 men. Considering the campaigning that the unit had in front of it that year, and the fact that most would have travelled light, it is a wonder what they would have done with all of these clothes. Longstreet's two divisions were said to have been issued with North Carolina uniforms of a dark grey blue kersey prior to their movement to Tennessee in September 1863. There is a myth, however, attached to this issue of 'blue' North Carolina jackets to Longstreet's troops. The belief is that these jackets were, firstly from North Carolina stocks, secondly, are made from 'English' cloth. It is true that some of Longstreet's Corps did wear clothing that appeared very dark blue. At Chickamauga in September 1863, soldiers from both armies made comment of this fact. Some western Confederates at first took them to be Federals, both from the colour, and the uniformity. Even Grant made comment of it owing to a chance meeting with one of Longstreet's soldiers at Chattanooga creek. The Confederate was wearing a jacket "of little different shade from our own uniform."

However, in looking to explain this one must examine the facts. North Carolina buttons have been found by relic hunters all over northern Georgia. North Carolina did have stocks of 'English Army cloth', imports had begun in June 1863 when the States blockade runner Advance had brought it in. Examples of jackets made from similarly imported cloth appear a dark blue-grey, very different to the usual Confederate grey. Confederate authorities also imported the same material during the same period. There is, however, no case for saying that any North Carolina depot jackets were made of 'army cloth.' Jackets made of similar fabrics that have been placed with North Carolina troops have been either attributed to the Peter Tait contract or Richmond depot. Surviving North Carolina depot jackets appear to have been made from jeancloth or satinette of grey and brown hues. It would seem that of the 100,000 uniforms on hand at the end of the war, much of these may have been the imported cloth. Longstreet did have an issue from the 10,000 North Carolina state uniforms 'loaned' to both himself and Johnson in February 1864. As there were none of that State's troops in Longstreet's divisions, a proportion must have gone to Johnson."

The above text was found at: http://www.acws.co.uk/archives/military/depots.htm

[NC5thcav]

The NC depot jackets are the most underrepresented jacket in the hobby, especially in the AoT. Tyler, contact Garrison Beal. He could probably give you some information.

[NC1862]

Derek,
Garrison is a friend of mine. I'l see if he has any more info on "the most underrepresented jacket in the hobby".

Who needs Richmond depot's? ;)