Larry Shields
black uniforms
Sun Jul 8 18:06:24 2001


Hayes,

The coat you saw in the book FIGHTING MEN OF THE CIVIL WAR
is in the Museum of the Confederacy in Richmond. It was made for 1st Sgt. John Lester of the 10th Georgia Infantry
Battalion by his mother. Sadly he apparently never got to wear it as he died of typhoid fever in March of 1863 before the uniform got to him. That particular book does have excellent detailed photos of many uniform items. Unfortunately, it does not adequately discuss or interpret the uniforms it shows. If you can get a copy of Time-Life
Books ECHOES OF GLORY: ARMS AND EQUIPMENT OF THE CONFEDERACY
you can see an excellent collection of original uniforms with a much better explanation of them.
Be careful thinking black trim necessarily signifies anything as black was a very popular trim for gray uniforms especially early in the war among the volunteer units and was worn by infantry, cavalry, artillery, whomever.
I know of one account of a youth from Alabama wanting to volunteer but wanted to join a unit with gray uniforms with black trim.