federal vests

[rgr44]

I searched for this but did not find what I was looking for. What type of vest would be correct for an enlisted federal soldier? Does it have to be blue or can it be one sent from home? Thank you.

Nathan Collins

[NYCivilWar]

Re: federal vests

Remember, Federal enlisted soldiers were not issued vests, so all would have to be privately purchased or sent from home. If you take a bit of time and scan the Library of Congress Civil War Photo collection here:
http://www.loc.gov/pictures/collection/cwp/ you'll see many examples of Federal soldiers wearing vests. In my own personal observations, the overwhelming number of Federal enlistedmen wearing vests appear to wearing a military style vest. That is-- presumably dark or sky blue wool with brass buttons. There were probably some civilian style vests worn, but the photographic evidence-- at any rate-- seems to show many military-style vests for enlisted men. When you get into photos of clerks, or the often used Trimming Shop photo, you'll see more civilian style vests.

Here are some examples:
[Fort Burnham, Va. (the former Confederate Fort Harrison). Federal soldiers in front of bomb-proof headquarters

http://lcweb2.loc.gov/service/pnp/cwpb/01900/01951v.jpg

Petersburg, Virginia (vicinity). Group of 13th New York heavy Artillery. Winter camp
Two guys to right of tree in foreground

http://lcweb2.loc.gov/service/pnp/cwpb/01800/01818v.jpg

Quartermaster's mechanics, 1st Division, 9th Army Corps in front of Petersburg, Va., August, 1864
Few vests in this one, some military-style and another civilian style

http://lcweb2.loc.gov/service/pnp/ppmsca/33500/33503v.jpg

These are just a few quick examples I pulled from the LOC. There are many more.

Here are two examples from the Historical Image Bank

http://www.historicalimagebank.com/gallery/main.php/v/album02/album22/album109/CWu8ds-Blue+vest+worn+by+a+soldier+in+the+119th+Pennsylvania+Regiment.html

and another:

http://www.historicalimagebank.com/gallery/main.php/v/album02/album22/album109/CWu106ds_Blue_vest_copy.jpg.html

Hope this helps,

[rgr44]

Re: federal vests

Thank you. That is exactly what I was looking for. I am in Afghanistan and didn't have my books near me.

Nathan Collins

[Pumpkinslinger]

Re: federal vests

Take care of yourself Nathan and THANK YOU.

[Pumpkinslinger]

Re: federal vests

Boy, try to get away with chevrons sewn to the breast now.

[Bill52]

Re: federal vests

Any idea how long vests lasted before they were worn out? I am working on the 4th Michigan Infantry who were issued gray vests as part of their State issued gray uniforms. Although the gray uniforms wore out quickly and were replaced, I was wondering if the gray vests were discarded at the same time as the gray roundabouts and gray trousers. Because they had not been issued overcoats they may have needed the vests for warmth. I do know that they continued to wear their gray caps for a short time. Thank you for your consideration of this question.

William T. Carr
Company of Military Historians