NCO chevrons

[KentuckyReb]

I was wondering if anyone here could give me a little help here regarding my stripes (congratulate me, y'all ). I assume such things were pretty well standardized in the Federal service, but I was wondering what the general 'rule' of things was in the Confederate armies. My question is, what would be the correct dimensions (tip to tip, correct angle, width) of non-commisioned officer chevrons? What I'm going with so far is that they were more often put on separately, not in 'sets', and that black would be the best color for a Western Confederate impression. I also would appreciate it if anyone could tell me what the most common (if there was such a thing among W. Confederates) material would be, and if there is a source for it today. I appreciate any help.

[msmjr]

A fellow Corporal...or a Private with cloth on his sleeves as I get called from time to time.

If you look at CS NCO photos, there isn't really a consistent "regulation" being followed. Even more complicated, what few things WERE written down as regulation depended upon the State. For that matter, you can go all over the spectrum by reading things (for example, Company Aytch) that mention NCOs ripping off their stripes so as not to be targets.

Without getting terribly technical (which I assume is your real desire) I would say that you do have some latitude in your decision on where to wear, how to wear, and what to wear.

I use black worsted wool tape from Wooded Hamlet (http://www.woodedhamlet.com/tapes_br...ted_twill.html) and apply them directly to my coat sleeve individually. The material comes to Wooded Hamlet from England (so it isn't a USA made product, sorry) but from the old A/C forums, this seemed to be a recommended material.

Hope that is helpful.

-Mike Montgomery

[markj]

Greetings,

"Regulations for the Army of the Confederate States, 1863.":

[Para.] 1529. [p. 406]: The rank of non commissioned officers will be marked by chevrons on both sleeves of the uniform coat and the overcoat, above the elbow, of silk and worsted binding, half an inch wide; color the same as the edging of the coat; points down, as follows:

1530. For a Sergeant Major--three bars and an arc in silk.
1531. For a Quartermaster Sergeant--three bars and a tie in silk.
1532. For an Ordnance Sergeant--three bars and a star in silk.
1533. For a First (or Orderly) Sergeant--three bars and a lozenge in worsted [wool].
1534. For a Sergeant--three bars in worsted.
1535. For a Corporal--two bars in worsted.

The above was what was said. However, the sky was the limit for what was actually done. For example, one or more surviving RD jackets sport sergeants stripes made out of black velvet.

Regards,

Mark D. Jaeger

[Clark Badgett]

Sam Watkins said they removed their stripes at the hint of the first battle. Of cource that may be something he wrote after a good spell of years. That beings said, in all the photos of Cornfed prisoners I've ever seen I've yet to see any that have any chevrons. I've also not seen any requisitions for stuff to use as stripes, but I've not see everything if fact I've not seen much My advice woud be to find some black twill tape, either wool or cotton and only put the stripes on early war stuff.

[KentuckyReb]

Thank you much, gents. I had some 1/2" black wool worsted tape that I went over and bummed off Mom (my Mom is the world's biggest craft nut), but I just wanted to make sure before I started sewing. Ah, man. Spring's almost here--can't wait to get underway again. Thanks again all.

[Amtmann]

Why not just leave them off?

[Alamo Guard]

Houston Depot did issue the block stripes to men in the Trans-Mississippi. Alot depends on the time of the war for stripes as well. As the war progressed wool was very scarce. The color also varied as the war progressed from black to sky blue for infantry for example. Stripes in southern service are like they said over done today.
I do have stripes on some of my uniforms but not all of them. It makes it easier to change back and forth scenerio dependent. If your in camp or preparing for inspection or maybe a living history wear stripes. If your on the march ready to feel the lead fly, lose the stripes.
Im also in the Army of Tennessee and wear black cotton twill. Not alot of extra wool for stripes for mid war. Another option might just be cut cotton flannel to the appropriate length, as there was alot of that to be had. Another option might be the quartermaster only had red arty stripes available and they were issued. Or as a last resort captured federal. However id avoid the last two for two reasons, documented proof and over indulgance by a unit on this option.
If you ever galvanize and need stripes take the extra change out of your couch and get some Chris Daley stripes, well worth the extra expense.

[Calico Boys]

Chums,

I have done a search on the forum and came up with nothing. What I am looking for is photo's of NCO's wearing diminished or altered rank on their sleeves. I remember about 4 years ago, there was a photo posted on here of a Sgt with really small chevrons on his coat, and another of an orderly sgt with just the diamond on his coat. Anyhow if anyone has copies of these photo's or others like it please post them on here.

I have always been a supporter of the late war impression of officers and NCO's using a different form of rank on their coats. And the more pictures of this would be better, most photo's are studio shots so its hard to grasp the field look of the officer or NCO. Anyhow thanks in advance.

[Swag]

Here is a photo of what I believe you are looking for, I remembered seeing it while looking at some things on the LOC, and took some time to dig it up again. The first sergent all the way on the left has only the dimond, not the stripes. Any how hope this helps a bit. The picture it self is from August of 64' Taken in Petersburg. Here is the link to the page it self http://memory.loc.gov/cgi-bin/query/.../~ammem_PG90::



Respectfully Yours,
Sean M. Lamb
H.I.A

[1stMaine]

Comrades,

Nice picture. You'll note, however, that the NCO's appear to have trouser stripes, regardless of the type insignia being worn.......

Keep in mind, also, that although photographic evidence exists showing these "reduced" ranks, such as the diamond, vice the entire 1st Sgt's insignia, there may be other reasons for it's use than simply reducing the ability of the enemy to identify NCO's.

Being advanced to a new spot while on campaign is one reason, where the availability of new rank is not always easy. There exists, and some examples were posted on this forum in the past, orders requiring NCO's to make proper chevrons from old trouser or overcoat material if they could not be obtained through normal channels, and this was also in 1864. Trouser stripes could be made from old coats, etc.

Again, I would place this sort of thing into the date/unit specific portrayal. Yeah, it's neat, and something that WAS done, but was also outside the norm. How relative it is to the impression required at a specific event can only be confirmed through research on the units to be portrayed.

Respects,