Description

Another documented version of a private purchase Southern Campaign Coat, this one most associated with Junior Officer’s. We made this coat of a lighter weight somewhat mottled medium gray wool which strongly resembles the look of some of the more economical ragg wool products of the period. It has the softer and smoother finish of the recycled wool and “shoddy” that was used during the period and well before. As a much less expensive material than the virgin or first generation material of the era it represents a more simple and less expensive campaign coat for the junior officer. The material finish is soft and comfortable. Made as a field utility coat yet, still gives the correct air the officer should present. A classic Civil War era and early war look. All button holes are hand sewn. Standard falling collar which buttons all the way up to the neck in the typical sack coat pattern and sports two outer pockets at the waist and one on the left breast as documented in private purchase officer’s fatigue coats during the period. The collar folds down nicely with the neck open and give the look of the popular civilian notched collar coat. It is an attractive period look with a vest and tie, or just the tie in the warmer months. Straight sided true sack coat for room and mobility, all lined in black cotton with one additional interior pocket. (no taper in side seams – can be tailored of a fellow desired) Closes with five coat sized CS Staff buttons down the front with three smaller matching buttons on each fully functional cuff. Currently offering a Savannah or New Orleans documented maker label. Please specify or we will choose – no returns for label when none chosen, loose labels not available. We apply no rank insignia, leaving type and placement up to you. (also, no piping available – we do not do any custom work, nor take any orders in advance. Sold as a period in-stock Ready Made Clothing garment only)

We must say that research into campaign used CS officer’s clothing is significantly more challenging, as there is much less photographic evidence extant. While most “portrait” cabinet type photos represent the desire to show ones best and as a result on both sides are dominated by frock coats, etc., the wearing of such “campaign” coats in the field by Southern Officers as well seems to have been also prevalent. Officers on both sides purchased their own uniforming and the greater the investment, the more likely to be preserved. There were fewer overall CS soldiers and officers who served over the years of the war which along with CS attrition and material strain as the war ebbed on translating into much fewer number of artifacts extant for examination, and in addition, with less photography and opportunity for such camp luxury a much lower number of photos of CS Officers campaign dress to study. Yet we do know the practice was established enough to be considered relatively common as opposed to rare so the practice may very well be underrepresented in the Southern Living History community. To that end, and by specific request of many friends over the years, we now make this offering. Positive response in the marketplace will sustain it.

NOTE: These coats are not sized according to modern standardized models which often include more generous “vanity inches” in the process. Please be sure of your size requirements prior to purchase and disregard other sizing models. If you are unsure please email us with questions. We suggest you take your actual chest measurement, or the largest measurement of your torso, over the clothing items you intend to wear under the coat, and compare them to the actual measurement of the coat in the listing – then choose the coat which offers you the amount of room and fit you desire. The actual measurement of the chest of these coats is 3″ larger than the chest size indicated, ie., a “chest size 42 in.” has an actual chest measurement of about 45″, etc. The buttons can be moved to gain 1/2 to 1″. This coat has straight side seams with no fitted waist taper – it is a true “sack” coat. The sack coat was generally designed to fit much more loosely than the frock or even civilian common coat in order to facilitate movement in the field and the wearing of a vest. Some officers, not subject to fatigue duties, did prefer to have them tailored. Please also read our clothing return policy. We take no orders for clothing to be made, nor do any customizing work.