Good uniform sources for western impression

[lojafan]

Hello everyone,

I'm new to the site, but not new to reenacting. I'm wanting to revamp my uniform for a better western impression, Arkansas units in particular. I can't seem to find any good sources that show (in photograph) or describe in detail what they would have worn. I know commutation was used in the west more so then the east, but I cannot find any good sources or descriptions. So I wanted to know if anyone knew of any good websites or books that would help me in my venture of authentisity.

Thanks all!

Andrew Gale
N.W. 15th Arkansas

[Horace]

I just finished 'Cadet Gray and Butternut Brown' by Thomas M. Arliskas, which is inexpensive and easy to pick up. It gives a great unified overview of how the armies east and west were supplied throughout the war. It shows how the commutation system functioned, the 'Great Appeals' which brought forth massive citizen donations, when the Quartermaster systems became more centralized, who got what from who, and what no one's sure went where.
Some immediate gratification on Trans-Mississippi troops can be found at the Lazy Jacks article page: www.lazyjacks.org.uk/article.htm.
There's also this photo site with lots of period photo portraits of Confederate soldiers:http://news.webshots.com/album/506796962zSNltK?start=0 It's a mixed bag of east and west.

[Andrew Kasmar]

Hi,

You can get the book 'Cadet Gray and Butternut Brown' by Thomas M. Arliskas, from Barnes and Noble for about $15.00.

[kaelin]

Hello
If you are up for a trip, I would encourage you to visit Western Kentucky University in Bowling Green, Ky. WKU has the largest information about the Western Theatre on Micro-fish and will be opening up an exihibit Oct. 16th that will have several coats, hats, articles, and other great artifacts about the Western theatre. I have been able to do a lot of research from this library they offer. It is open to the public but you will need to call to make an appointment. You can google WKU Civil War or maybe later I can find a link for you.

Hope this helps!
Kaelin Vernon

[hiplainsyank]

Sir, there is also ready information about Arkansas frock coats on this website:

http://http://www.geocities.com/capitalguards/LRfrock.html

There is what appears to be a well-researched article there.

[Edwin Carl Erwin]

Andrew,

Cast an eye on "The Capital Guards" Company A, 6th Arkansas Infantry home site: www.geocities.com/capitalguards/home.html & click on the "Research" area.

Read Portraits of Conflict: A Photographic History of Arkansas in the Civil War by Bobby Roberts & Carl Moneyhon, 1987, The University of Arkansas Press, ISBN 0-938626-84-1. There are over two hundred photographs in this great book.

Hope this is helpful.

[kaelin]

I forgot to mention that Galla Rock has the Little Rock Frock coat pattern(CS of course), I have made 2 of these coats and they are wonderful! The patterns are easy to work with and you can tell that she spent a lot of time studying the real coat to make this pattern! This coat has been mentioned in an earlier post. If you have been a subscriber to Civil War Historian, I believe the coat was featured in an issue last year 07'.

cheers!

[lojafan]

I wanna say thanks to everyone who posted. I have had the Cadet Gray and Butternut brown on my list as well as the Portraits of a conflict, but comming up with money to get them has been a little tough, but I'm going to order them tomorrow!

Thanks again for the wonderful information

Andrew Gale
N.W. 15th Arkansas

[lojafan]

I have both books ordered and on the way! thanks fellas!

Andrew Gale
N.W. 15th AR