Confederate overcoat question

[Griebz]

Who makes a good English Blue Grey kersey overcoat?

Peter Griebel

[Jim Mayo]

My unit is ANV.. Picketts division. I assume that the government appeal for overcoats would mean that overcoats came from private purchase or from home. So a civilain wool coat ?

Regards

Peter Griebel

Can't go wrong with a civilian coat.

Since you are doing a unit in Picketts division you may want to read the letters I have here http://www.angelfire.com/ma4/j_mayo/9va/letters.html

While not addressing the overcoat issue there is a lot of information that may be of interest as to some things being sent from home although inside of US lines.

[E.Brown]

Peter, I sent you some information regarding an overcoat that I'm going to sell . It's of a civillian pattern that is similar to what was seen on captured Confederates, after the fall of Ft. Donelson.

[Griebz]

Thanks Eric.. What size is the coat?

Peter Griebel

[Tiger_rifles]

Mr. Griebel, If you don't mind another opinion here...... Few years back i was dyeing some jean for a unit jacket project and messed up the first batch. Sent it on to the coat maker with a note, "What can you do wit this?" He made me a very nice 4 button sack coat, lined, lots of pockets, w/English import collar, (very civilian looking... not Depot!). Problem was he got his patterns mixed and made it about two sizes too big for me. I put some civilian coin buttons on it and started wearing it as a "short" over coat. Works perfect! Been down to 12 deg at night and very warm, but does not sweat me when the day warms up. Also much easier to pack than a long/capped overcoat. Just my 2 cents. Good Luck.

[KyColorSgt]

My advice is to avoid the Weller coat.IMHO,the Weller is far too often seen amongest CS reenactors.The Weller coat is documented to a Pvt. Weller of the 4th Kentucky Infantry,so kinda a western coat.If you want something different,try the blue-gray kersey English pattern greatcoat.That would have a fine look for mid-late war events.At the same time,you could go with a civilian overfrock.But the best advice is try to find the quatermaster records for your regiment you portray and see what comes up.Go to MoC in Richmond and see what research they may have.Good luck to you.

I echo Mr. Smith on the Weller overcoat being too prevalent these days. This type of hooded overcoat was contracted by an officer of the 2nd Kentucky Infantry, Maj Hewitt, and procured for his men using his own funds, while the 2nd Kentucky was at Bowling Green in the winter of 1861-62. So this particular style of hooded overcoat would only be appropriate to the 2nd Kentucky in the winter of 1861-62, at Fort Donelson, and maybe in captivity after that at Camp Douglas. Having said that, Weller apparently kept his with him somehow, because it ended up with the rest of his belongings, including his Columbus Depot jacket that was probably issued in 1864. But this particularly style of overcoat would not be a common type.

[vamick]

Peter I just ran across this over on AC " The Landy Linsey Army Blanket Overcoat" looks interesting and fairly easy too http://ghti.homestead.com/Mississippicoatproject.pdf

[Slowfoot]

Which raises this question for me: It was typical for trappers and explorers in the nineteenth century to make coats out of blankets, especially Hudson's Bay blankets, which were called capotes. Has anyone ever seen records of people cutting up blankets to make more elaborate coats in the East?