Donna thought the members of the list might enjoy reading this about Civil War uniforms? Betty ----- Original Message ----- From: Betty Lamberson To: Donna Cooper Sent: Thursday, July 22, 2010 5:18 PM Subject: Civil War uniforms Hi Donna, I just read your note and looked at the picture of the guy in the coat... It is possible that might be a worn out civil war coat... with any trimming removed...?? most likely union? I have been doing recent research on Civil war uniforms, As Ralph and I are planning on attending a civil war costume ball in Springfield next March. held by the Historical society in Spfd. I have in my book collection a picture book Called...Combat Uniforms of the Civil War by Mark Lloyd it shows many variations of uniforms. As we all know the union wore blue uniforms some wore wide brim hats a la General Grant and some wore the Kepis we think of as Civil war caps. The union army had more money to provide uniforms and they were more regulation. by and large the union units did not wear much gold braid their and sleeve trim was different. denoting their status...surgeon, private, navy etc. Most wore frock coats...but some just short jackets....Generally speaking General Grant's outfit of clothes was more simple than General Lee's...It depended on what branch of the service you were in...such as navy ..artillary..sharpshooters as exactly how the uniform looked..most branches of both sides had their own idea of was was practical for their soldiers and sailors. Even the different states had variations. Grant wore his pants on top of his boots. I am sure most had a personal preference about that? The confederates wore mostly gray, or butternut brown some homedyed..most of the fabric mills were in the North.. (but early in the war some wore blue...later in the war some wore blue but it was stolen from union soldiers they just needed clothes on their backs..) by and large they wore fancy uniforms trimmed in gold braid some with gold lapels many with gold sashes. many of their uniforms were double breasted frock coats with bright gold buttons down both sides and gold braid trimming the sleeves..As a general rule the CSA uniforms were less standard and fancier and flamboyant! wide brim slouch hats with feather plums...but the private soldiers also wore the gray Kepi exactly like the union..just with different badges pins and stars on them. some of the other CSA units wore a short jacket with no lapels with lots of gold buttons and braid and a gold standup collar with a gold sash. But many recruits wore whatever they could get together..especially by the end of the war. They looked fairly rag tag! Many of the Early CSA officer's uniforms were hand tailored, some by wives...of good fabric because their economic standard was better at the first of the war... Even Gen Lee wore variations. in photos..he is shown in a gray frock coat with lapels and yellow sash and black belt with big gold buckle and he is also shown wearing a frock coat with a standup gold collar and many gold buttons down the front most wore black boots with pants tucked in. I guess this is all to say.. their uniforms were not very uniform!! Thanks for listening.... Antique clothing and fabrics is a passion of mine. Betty