SW Virginia and the Columbus Depot

[Devildog0311]

Pards, I have a question that someone may know the answer to. Southwest Virginia, in certain locations, was closer to Georgia than it was to Richmond. Richmond Depot was issued to Virginia a lot of Virginia troops, but their geographic location makes me curious. Documentation is hard to find for units in this area. My question is, was it possible that some of these guys were issued Columbus Depot items ( i.e. Jackets, kepis, accouterments, etc.)? I noticed in some photos of Kentuckians, some of those guys have Columbus Depot style jackets and kepis. Some Army of Tennessee buckles were even dug at Murfeesborough and Tullahoma that were thought to have been worn by the Kentuckians. The Kentuckians are very close neighbors to Southwest Virginians. Would it have been common to see Columbus Depot items in the Department of Southwest Virginia? A lot of units from that area did some campaigns in Tennessee such as Bull's Gap and Greenville, Carter's Depot, the battle at Unicoi, and others within the area. This is another reason why this question has me curious. Doing campaigns in Tennessee, could they have possibly gotten a hold of some Columbus depot items or any Army of Tennessee items( belt buckles or other items)? Any input would be much appreciated.


Cheers,
Justin S. Connor

[Richmond Depot]

They could have drawn out of the depot's at either Staunton or Wytheville. Also, I posted some info. previously about the Knoxville depot.

I have heard rumors of an alleged Wytheville depot jacket in the AHC collection. Staunton is also rumored to have had their own clothing manufactory but I don't know of any surviving pieces.

Best,

[ewtaylor]

Justin,
Kentuckians were cutoff from their home state and thus relied on the CS Gov't for uniform and equipment needs. They were issued CD Jackets like the rest of the AOT.
You may have to research the individual Virginia regiments you are interested in.
everett taylor

[roundshot]

I've seen one of the "western" rounded corner "CS" plates with blackened background that came from Bristol, VA/TN.

Also, Kentuckian George Dallas Mosgrove of the 4th Kentucky Cavalry which served in the upper Valley and western VA recalled how his brigade in November 1864 received "probably four hundred suits of most excellent dark gray clothing, of English manufacture, which had recently run the blockade. The clothing came none to soon . . . " See "Kentucky Cavaliers in Dixie," edited by Bell Irvin Wiley, 1957, p. 228. [I bought this book for $6.00 new when I was young. God, I'm getting old].

While anecdotal evidence only, perhaps it will help someone.

[VaTrooper]

Staunton is also rumored to have had their own clothing manufactory but I don't know of any surviving pieces.

Scott,
At the VHL John Nolan had a jacket that was copied off of an original that is said to have a Staunton Depot provenance.

[Richmond Depot]

William,

Not sure what VHL stands for. You young guys and your slang. Did you ask for any provenance for the repro. ?

Best,

[VaTrooper]

Sent you a PM Scott.

[Dan Wambaugh]

Justin,

In the fall of 1862 when the Columbus Depot was first coming into its full production swing it was noted in the Columbus Daily Sun that in addition to six car loads of garments and shoes being shipped to Richmond, another 5,000 individual garments were sent to the CS army of Western Virginia. So it would seem that at this particular point at least some garments were making their way through.

As with anything CS supply-related, you must always remember that as the war progressed and the railroads and rolling stock of the South steadily deteriorated, supply from all but the most local of sources became an ever-increasing nightmare. What may seem a geographically short distance as the crow flies may have indeed been doubled or even tripled by the condition of the railroads and may have been made an impossibility by several federal armies occupying the intervening miles.

The point is that as with everything in this hobby, the appropriate impression will be dictated by time, place, and unit.

Hope this helps!


Best,

[Devildog0311]

Thanks Gents! Your input is very much appreciated.It would be pretty neat to see that Staunton Depot jacket.




Cheers,
Justin S. Connor

[NC5thCav]

From the Civil War soldiers and sailors site at http://www.civilwar.nps.gov/cwss/index.html

" 34th Cavalry Battalion, formerly the 1st Battalion Virginia Mounted Rifles, was organized in December, 1862. The unit served in A.G. Jenkins', W.E. Jones', V.A. Witcher's, and B.T. Johnson's Brigade and first engaged the Federals in western Virginia. It had a force of 172 men at Gettysburg, returned to western Virginia, then was involved in operations in East Tennessee. During April, 1864, it contained 222 effectives, saw action at Piedmont, and served with Early in the Shenandoah Valley. The 34th disbanded at Lynchburg in April, 1865. Lieutenant Colonel Vinson A. Witcher, and Majors John A. McFarlane and William Straton were in command."


"22nd Cavalry Regiment completed its organization in October, 1863. The unit served in W.L. Jackson's and McCausland's Brigade and confronted the Federals in Tennessee, western Virginia, and the Shenandoah Valley. During April, 1865, it disbanded. The field officers were Colonel Henry S. Bowen, Lieutenant Colonel John T. Radford, and Major Henry F. Kendrick"

That would PROBABLY mean commutation, Staunton,Wytheville, or Richmond(at least for the 34th and later in the war) and PROBABLY not Columbus Depot, but it doesn't definelty rule it out. I emphasis the probably.