2 MI:frock or sack?

[Frank]

Hello,
I am looking for information regarding what the 2 MI company F infantry was issued at the start of the war: frock coats or sack?
I am gathering information because I am going to start portraying Franklin Thompson, (Sarah Emma Edmonds) soldier, nurse, spy and mail carrier.
Thanks in advance for any help to a new member on the discussion board!

~ Tiffany E. 4th OVI Com. B

[jthlmnn]

From the photo found on this link, http://www.geocities.com/Pentagon/Quarters/8558/
the answer would appear to be "Neither". It looks like the enlisted personnel are wearing shell jackets.

Good luck and have fun,

[Rob Weaver]

Not much elase helpful on the site, though. Are they wearing dark blue trousers?

[jthlmnn]

Not much elase helpful on the site, though. Are they wearing dark blue trousers?

That's why I only cited the photo. From the lack of contrast between jacket and trowsers, and from the early date of the photo, I believe you are correct with dark blue for the trowsers. As I recall one of the earlier uniforms of the Iron Brigade regiments (after the gray fiasco) also included dark blue trowsers.

[Rob Weaver]

Yep. 2nd Wisconsin had dark blue trousers. The "raggedy-a**ed 2nd."

[Minieball577]

From what I recall the name "ragged assed second" came from the era of the gray pants, and the dark blue trousers were the solutiion to the posteriors of the troops hanging out during inspections.

[Rob Weaver]

You are absolutely correct, and I didn't mean to infer that it came from the blue trousers. By the time they got them, however, the name already stuck.

[jthlmnn]

Tiffany/Sarah/Frank,

Has this been helpful to you?

[RJSamp]

From what I recall the name "ragged assed second" came from the era of the gray pants, and the dark blue trousers were the solutiion to the posteriors of the troops hanging out during inspections.

Specifically the 2nd set of Gray uniforms issued when they were out east......from an unscrupulous New York contractor who had a lot of shoddy in the material.....

That Madaus article always comes in handy.....he is missed....

[Frank]

Ummm......sort of. But I do thank you for your help! I'm thinking that if I'm not wearing the right coat/pants to portray Frank/Sarah, then how are the people watching me going to know what I should/shouldn't be wearing?

~ Tiffany