20th Alabama

[wsjax4]

My g-g-grandfather was an original member of the 20th Alabama Infantry. He survived the war and 3 1/2 years of combat. I am trying to determine what the uniform of a lieutenant in this regiment may have looked like. I have have some ideas and have purchased a copy of Echoes of Glory which was no help. The 20th, also known as the Planter's Guards, suffered tremendous casualties as only 63 of the original 1100 men were still active at the end of the war. I have found very little on the Internet and even tried a 'for-pay" service with the state of Alabama which yielded no useful info. Can anyone help me? Any and all direction is greatly appreciated.

Thanks,
Scott

[Memphis]

Before AHEC destroyed USAMHI you could have had a lovely 20th Alabama Infantry bibliography in less than 30 seconds. When someone asks you to support AHEC in the future, just say no.

[NC5thcav]

The 20th, also known as the Planter's Guards, suffered tremendous casualties as only 63 of the original 1100 men were still active at the end of the war.

That doesn't mean that the other 1,037 were all casualties. Many would have been discharged, transfered, or deserted. I would hae to do some research, but I would bet their casualties were about the same as the other regiments in the brigades they served in. As for uniform, officers were responsible for their own uniforms. Looking at period pictures of officers in the same theater of war, along with surviving uniforms from that area, would give you a good idea of what their uniforms would be. For that, EoG would be a god resource. Their uniforms would probably not be unit specific, at least not after the first year or so of the war.

[wsjax4]

The copy of EOG that I have has 320 gilted pages and was printed in 1991. Do I have the right one? The only uniforms to be referenced in this edition are general officers and other high ranking officers.

I am willing to research myself, but I need direction. All of the obvious sources have come up light on info. He joined in Greensboro, AL in Sept '61 and would have been responsible for his own uniform. From the info I've compiled I am leaning toward a Columbus Depot shell, Type 1 made of grey wool jean material. Buttons to have an I on them. The shell to have cuffs and collar of medium blue and 2nd Lieutenant's bar on collar. I need help on footwear. I would think that a lowly 2nd Lt. would have walked with the enlisted soldiers so I am unsure he would have worn boots or brogans. How am I doing? I hope these questions don't appear stupid but I want this uniform to be as "right" as I can. Any and all info is greatly appreciated.

[Spinster]

Scott,

I cannot tell from your profile where you are physically located. Your best bet is a visit to Confederate Memorial Park in Marbury, Alabama. This museum has a collection of pictures of Alabama enlisted men, unit by unit, posted inside the museum. Not all slots are filled, and a few are filled with officers images when an enlisted man is not available. In addition, this newly opened museum holds a weath of uniforms, weaspons, home front displays, and artifacts from the Old Soldiers Home.

If you write them for information, be patient---like all Alabama sites, they are sadly short-staffed.

http://www.preserveala.org/confederatepark.aspx?sm=g_d

[wsjax4]

Mrs. Lawson, many thanks for your help. I am from Texas but currently live in Oklahoma. My g-g-grandfather was from Alabama and joined the 20th Alabama in Sep '61. After the war he moved to Tomball, TX and lived there the remainder of his life. I will write the Confederate Memorial Park in hopes of some info. Thanks again.