Correct buttons for RDII for Longstreet Corp for Chickamauga

[Daniel]

I would like to use English script I buttons on the blue grey Richmond Depot jacket for Chickamauga. So far I have not found any original examples of RDII with those types of buttons on them. Then again, I am no button expert. There is a nice thread on this site showing wooden button on RDII. I would welcome any thoughts on this topic.

Dan Stewart
WIG/Old Guard

[fahnenschmied]

Re: Correct buttons for RDII for Longstreet Corp for Chickamauga

I cannot make any comment of much use here, but there is always a possibility that the uniforms worn by Longstreets men were furnished by North Carolina. I have a copy of a telegram from Longstreet to Vance that reads "Your kind offer of clothing for our suffering troops is recd. We shall be most thankful for such clothing as you can share (Or spare)." Unfortunately it looks like the date is in 1864. In that regard, I am not sure if script I buttons were on them, but as NC was getting both the blue-grey and royal blue cloth from England at the time, it would seem possible. You might do well by seeing what the relic hunters turn up in that area.
Be aware that there are a few apparent RDIIIs out there that were made as RDIIs and had belt loops and straps removed.
There is a jacket out there that looks to have script As on it...it may be on this helpful link...http://www.authentic-campaigner.com/...ight=blue-gray

[fahnenschmied]

Re: Correct buttons for RDII for Longstreet Corp for Chickamauga

Also, though it was worn by an officer, here is a possible RDII with script I buttons - but I do see mention of a certain dealer who I do not place absolute trust in...

http://pamplinpark.pastperfect-online.com/32996cgi/mweb.exe?request=record;id=EED83EE7-F93E-4652-A165-314382084244;type=101

[fahnenschmied]

Re: Correct buttons for RDII for Longstreet Corp for Chickamauga

Hmn..I cant seem to properly delete a post I duplicated. I suspect there are more uniforms out there in museum collections, that are just neither properly identified or unseen, waiting to found, photographed and brought to the attention of hobbyists.

[27thNCdrummer]

Re: Correct buttons for RDII for Longstreet Corp for Chickamauga

The jacket of Capt. Edward Marsh (p.118 in the Confederate EOG) of the 4th North Carolina Infantry has script I buttons on it. It is of the 2nd Richmond Depot pattern.

It is also quite possible that if Longstreet's Corps did receive clothing from North Carolina, that they could have had script I buttons on them. North Carolina purchased its English cloth from the firm of Alexander Collie and Company, the same company that Peter Tait bought his cloth from. The state brought in 864 gross of buttons in June and August of 1863, aboard the blockade runner Advance. So, it is possible that North Carolina was buying script I buttons from England as well, even if they weren't from Alexander Collie and Company.

As far as other button options go, you could always use some of the larger wooden buttons discussed in the aforementioned thread. There is good photographic evidence for use of these on kersey RD II's. Other options include Federal eagle I or plain Federal eagle buttons which are found on many Richmond issue jackets, as well as block I buttons.

[Doughboy]

Re: Correct buttons for RDII for Longstreet Corp for Chickamauga

Don't write off wooden buttons. Much under represented.

[Daniel]

Re: Correct buttons for RDII for Longstreet Corp for Chickamauga

Thank you Andrew and David for the great information. I think it makes for a good case for script I buttons as well as others.

Dan Stewart

[roundshot]

Re: Correct buttons for RDII for Longstreet Corp for Chickamauga

Charles Harris' "Civil War Relics of the Western Campaigns" illustrates on p. 161 a Script "I" button from Longstreet's camp at Ringold prior to the Battle of Chickamauga.

[Doughboy]

Re: Correct buttons for RDII for Longstreet Corp for Chickamauga

I have a nice set of Waterbury lined script I's for sale if you are interested. Nicely patinated

[Jake Nott]

Re: Correct buttons for RDII for Longstreet Corp for Chickamauga

http://www.blueandgraymarching.com/articles/john-george-gibson-wooden-b.html

[Secesh]

Re: Correct buttons for RDII for Longstreet Corp for Chickamauga

Thanks for posting Jake! Great info!!

[Jake Nott]

Re: Correct buttons for RDII for Longstreet Corp for Chickamauga

my pleasure, hope it helps.

[Daniel]

Re: Correct buttons for RDII for Longstreet Corp for Chickamauga

Bob and Jake, that is great information. Thank you.

Dan Stewart

[Daniel]

Re: Correct buttons for RDII for Longstreet Corp for Chickamauga

The article that Jake posted makes a great case for wooden buttons. I have some two hole buttons from MBS. Is there a maker for the Gibson wooden buttons?

Dan Stewart

[DBURT]

Re: Correct buttons for RDII for Longstreet Corp for Chickamauga

Sir, English script "I" buttons were provided by S. Isaac Campbell & Co of London in their millions. I have just looked at my notes and found this that I wrote on the SIC&Co steamer Justitia:

"The Justitia would arrive safely in December 1862, on board, as well as a huge shipment of other war materiel she carried an astonishing 403,200 large brass S. Isaac Campbell & Co marked buttons for the infantry, cavalry and artillery in just that one shipment."

I have one in my collection which has the "S ISAACS CAMPBELL & CO/71 JERMYN ST/LONDON" backmark. (All SIC buttons were marked ISAACS and not ISAAC)
Other huge shipments of script "I" buttons would take place during 1861 to 63. Other buttons that are overlooked are the general service "CSA" type. SIC&Co also provided huge numbers of these too, but I have yet to discover one with the SIC backmark.

Dave Burt