Late War NC uniform?

[44th Miss Inf]

I found this and thought some of you might be interested.

Virgil Roberts

http://nchistory.dcr.state.nc.us/MOH/vfpcgi.exe?IDCFile=/moh/DETAILS.IDC,SPECIFIC=56357,DATABASE=10296207,

[Michael Semann]

Nice link Virgil, thanks for posting.

[Jimmayo]

Could the trousers be sky blue? Color doesn't match the jacket material whch appears to be English Army cloth.

[Enfilade]

Alfred May was in the 61st NC Troops stationed in Kinston-Eastern North Carolina- Wilmington, Battery Wagner-Charleston/Savanah, Petersburg, and fought at Bentonville. The uniform is usually connected to his late war service.

I have a jacket Neal Sexton made me years ago patterned after the May jacket. I usually wear it at the Breakthrough weekend at Pamplin Park or when we do Bennett Place.


Here is one of my favorite vignettes, (Jefferson Weaver's website)from N.A. Ramsey, member of the 61st NCT-

"During the bombardment of Battery Wagner many little incidents have occured which deserve a name in history. Among these is the following: On 29 July, 1863, the enemy got the range of a ten-inch Columbiad so completely as to render the place of extreme danger, and the South Carolina troops that manned the gun left it and ran into the bomb-proof for shelter. Their Captain ordered them back to their post, but they refused for a time to obey. While the men were wrangling with their officer, a soldier named Stedman from Company B, Sixty-First North Carolina, by himself, loaded, sighted and fired the abandoned gun, hitting the Yankee boat at which he shot, while hundreds of balls were whistling around him. Remember this was a North Carolina soldier. Let us be proud of him. I thank God it was my happy priviledge and good fortune to witness the abandonment of this gun, and the magnificent heroic conduct of Robert Winship Stedman. There was no braver soldier among the hosts of the Confederate army than Winship Stedman. God bless his memory!"

Faithfully submitted,

Mark Berrier
North State Rifles
combinations@northstate.net

[Huck]

That jacket is slightly different, looks like a standard RD type III, (the color and the fact that there seems to be belt loops). The funny thing I see is, the jacket appears to have "10" button holes.
The trousers in my opinion look to be of a RD style. They could be a French blue or even a sky blue. About 10 year ago or so, there was some rearch done about local mills in and around the Richmond Va area, the info stated that one of the mill produced from time to time a sky blue (ish) kersey matterial. :wink_smil

[LWhite64]

Ok, for those in the know, what was this jacket before it was altered with the extra buttons? Was it a NC Jacket, A Charleston, or something else? Very impressive set though.

Lee

[SCSecesh]

It's a shame that left collar is missing. The description (sleeve 1 piece/ sizes) along with the color lends itself to a Charleston jacket as do the peculiar shaped belt loops on the rear. However the 5 piece body is not Charleston style but Tait style. Do this style belt loops appear on any other Taits?

[Vuhginyuh]

Contact Ben Tart. He and my dad viewed the jacket when it was first accessioned. I am sure Mr. Tart has seen it again. It came to the State with a knapsack (and I think a dead solid perfect Fayetteville Rifle).

[roundshot]

This site also show's a member of the Trio Guards, who was killed on Morris Island:http://www.ah.dcr.state.nc.us/sections/hp/nc_rostr/default.htm

The jacket likewise appears to be English BG Kersey, and the trousers sky blue. This photo is also in Mast's Book. I personally believe these coats to be NC products utilizing some of of the large quantities of material Vance imported for the State of NC.

Bob Williams

[tmdreb]

Based on the descriptions I've seen of cloth imported to Matamoros and other locations basically throughout the War, I believe it is likely that there would have been at least quite a few soldiers all around the Confederacy with a similar uniform. I really wish there was a good source for that cloth used for the pants. I'd make a pair in a heartbeat.

[roundshot]

I meant to mention in my earlier post that these trousers appear to be remarkably similar to the Dorsey Pender pants on p.107 of EOG. They are in the MOC in Richmond and marked "Campbell & Co." Note placement of center button hole, jappaned buttons, watch pocket, and interfacings. I would also bet they saw wide distribution.

Bob, you need to sign your full name to all posts - Mike Chapman

[DougCooper]

Based on the descriptions I've seen of cloth imported to Matamoros and other locations basically throughout the War, I believe it is likely that there would have been at least quite a few soldiers all around the Confederacy with a similar uniform. I really wish there was a good source for that cloth used for the pants. I'd make a pair in a heartbeat.
Phil - try FHW's french blue kersey in the 14 oz weight. They don't always have it but it is great stuff for trousers. It looks much like the fabric in one of original pairs of RD trousers - just a little darker than standard sky blue. Chris Daley uses the 21 oz for his french or medium blue kersey vests.

[tmdreb]

I emailed them once to ask about French Blue kersey, and the answer I got was that they only made a limited amount for trim purposes, and that it was something like $15 for half a yard. Perhaps I spoke to the wrong person. I'll ask the next time I call. I also have suspicions that this French Blue may have been what trimmed Houston Depot products.

[DougCooper]

Phil Graf - Mike McComas may have this cloth, a Saxon blue wool he got from England I believe.

Based on the descriptions I've seen of cloth imported to Matamoros and other locations basically throughout the War, I believe it is likely that there would have been at least quite a few soldiers all around the Confederacy with a similar uniform. I really wish there was a good source for that cloth used for the pants. I'd make a pair in a heartbeat.