Not a Whole Lot To Do - Richmond, 1865

[GreencoatCross]

I found these hidden deep down in my computer and wanted to share. They appear to be former confederate soldiers lounging around Richmond shortly after the war. I cropped these images years ago so I'll have to go back through the LoC sometime soon if anyone wants the source info. I love the young looking guy in the third one wearing a two-color kepi and sack coat.

And I didn't realize I had it, but I've included a bonus photo of a former slave/servant wearing the dreaded four-button "Confederate" jacket. Ta da!

[lukegilly13]

Nice pics! Very suprised to see shoulder straps (epauletts) that late....and I believe in the last image that's a 4 button mystery generic....too bad we can't see if he has an external pocket. Thanks for posting!

[Ross L. Lamoreaux]

Also looks like the former slave is sporting a rather battered quilted cloth hat as well.

[ThehosGendar]

Love the images around Washington Square in Richmond (which are your two center photos). Lots of great Confederates still in their uniforms hanging about, and even some gear laying on the ground!

By the way... hey Brian! Hope everything is cool!

[GreencoatCross]

Jason,

Everything is cool....just working on some orders, hitting my local hometown tailoring warehouses, bars, etc.. And it wouldn't be a trip home to Cincinnati without a few research trips.

By the way, did you every wrestle down that sky blue kersey or did it go bonkers again and smash up Needle & Thread a bit more?

[garyjd]

I lightened a few of the photographs and cropped them to show some details. The Confederate standing appears to have a pipe stuck through a few buttonholes, along with a tobacco pouch hung from a button. I wonder what the coloring is on the seated Confederate? Could it have a red band and matching red top? I know that the lighting conditions could also alter the look of an item, but it's still interesting. ~Gary

[ThehosGendar]

Hey Gary,

The cap on the seated Confederate would more likely have a sky blue band, with very likely a darker grey kersey top, much like the one pictured on page 163 Confederate echoes of Glory. In the wet plate spectrum, red would appear as black, and the band has a very light characteristc.

Brian,

Once the roll of kersey fell the first time, Annie and I both tried to lift the thing onto the counter to cut it, but it rolled off and plowed through the printed cotton section and put a nice long hole in the wall. It continued outside and down the hill and eventually came to a stop in the middle of Fairfield Rd., where a mini-van hit it and flipped over. I had to buy the whole bolt because of the skid marks left on it.

(Actually, no, everything was okay, and I have 6 yards of the stuff on a shelf in my closet waiting to be made into a great coat and new pair of trousers!)

[Old Cremona]

Is the guy in the first image wearing a big long tie in the style commonly worn today?

I know that knot was in use at the time but you don't often see it like that.

[Andrew Kasmar]

Hi,

I think that is his shirt that you are seeing, and not a tie.

Andrew

[yeoman]

Sir, nice images, the first image is part of a photo in front of Castle Thunder prison in Richmond. http://www.authentic-campaigner.com/...89&postcount=1 That gent in the first image looks to be wearing a vest under his jacket and hard to tell but at 400% looks like his kepi has a number or letter on the crown. Yeah, on the second photo that fellow looks to enjoy a chew too.
Thanks for bringing them out.