Confederate Sack Coat info

[DaveGink]

Hi All,
I purchased a cheap, used, "sutlers row quality" CSA sack coat (medium gray wool with 7 brass CSA buttons, no branch of serice trim, stand up collar, inside left pocket) for an event I will be galvanizing at this weekend. It was sort of an emergency buy, very inexpensive, and may be the only time I use it. My unit will be portraying confederate Cavalry assigned to protect artillery. The organizers have provided no guidelines or year for this event, but only vaguely state that this is a battle "somewhere in the fields of Virginia".

That said, I understand that Confederate sacks were not all that common, especially compared to shell jackets (or were they used more than I may think?).

Were those that were worn issued by the CSA or State Governments, or were they home-made, or private purchased items only? Were they an individual choice of coat, or worn by entire units?

Also, are the brass CSA buttons completely wrong? Would replacing the buttons with wood help add at least a little authenticity to this coat? Maybe turning it into a "sent from home" coat?

I've never really focused too much on the uniforms of the Confederate States, So I'd like to learn a little general information here about CSA Sacks and jackets if possible.

Thanks in advance!!
Dave

[John1862]

Also, are the brass CSA buttons completely wrong?

Hi Dave, those famed "CSA" buttons are not completely wrong. As I remember they were mfg'd in England by Superior Quality for the most part, and during the end of the war SOME, but very very few were recieved by the Confederacy in time for them to be issued. Most ended up being captured by the blockade and re-routed to the Bahamas, where a large stock was (recently?) found.

[reb64]

Welll if your portrying guerillas/rangers/ dismounted cav perhaps sacks or civilian sacks would be worn. But I would venture to say the highest % of virginia cav would be of the shell type from the photos Ive seen. regular wool would be okay for early war, but less of it as the war dragged on. def change the buttons, I or captured eagles or Va buttons.

[ewtaylor]

Dave,
I wouldnt worry to much on the buttons since the coat you have is just a "cheap buy". Wear it like it is and then sell it on Ebay this winter and try to buy some quality gear.
Sack coats were sent from home and issued by the Depots (mainly NC).
CSA buttons were mainly made in England and sent to the Southern ports. They had different backmarks (Superior Quality was not a company). They were also made here but of poorer quality.
ew taylor

[DaveGink]

Thanks all!!

And yeah ew, I'll probably take your advise and just not worry about the buttons for this event. It was just to get through this weekend anyway.

Cheers,
Dave

[cjdaley]

If anyone is interested, please check out this short uniform study on an original sack coat found on the fields of Gettysburg after the battle.

http://www.cjdaley.com/confederatesack.htm

[TimKindred]

Comrades,

It's a nifty coat, and because it is just what I was looking for, and he is an approved vendor on the A/C forum, known for his exceptional quality and great customer service, I took the liberty of ordering one from Mr Daley.

I am anxiously awaiting it's arrival.

Respects,

[DaveGink]

If anyone is interested, please check out this short uniform study on an original sack coat found on the fields of Gettysburg after the battle.

http://www.cjdaley.com/confederatesack.htm

Thanks Chris! Very interesting.

By the way, I love the Pennsy sack. I can't wait to wear it at the event this weekend. (and thanks for making sure I got it in time!).

Cheers,
Dave

[NJ Sekela]

I had sent a private message to Mr. Daley, voicing my concerns over this coat. I noted that the basic shape and construction of this coat appears to be similiar to post war techniques.

The early "Electric Map" and Rosensteel collection had considerable Spanish American War and Indian war items mixed in, and one has to be careful, and approach some of the early collections with a critical eye.

That garment needs to be tied into something else in the period to make a stronger argument for its use.

I am, &c,

NJ Sekela,
Manf'r.
N.Jers'y.

http://www.njsekela.com
http://www.ejtsutler.com
http://www.carterandjasper.com

[Army30th]

Upon seeing this coat, it looks like this type of coat was used to base the costumes for the mini-series "The Blue and The Gray" from. If you go back and watch that series, all Federal Infantry (common soldier) are wearing 5 - button sacks with falldown collars.