Berdan's Sharpshooters, Summer/ Fall 1863

[garyjd]

A recent release by Don Troiani shows what they may have looked like at Gettysburg. I like the look of the green forage cap and trousers with the blue sack coat.

Check it out.

http://www.historicalartprints.com/hap/cmd?CMD=DETAIL&parent=16&prodid=209

 

[Robert Dominick]

Gary,

Any reason for the blue coat instead of the green?

Robert

 

[garyjd]

Gary,

Any reason for the blue coat instead of the green?

Robert

Robert, Here is one explanation I found.

After 1862, the sharpshooters normally wore standard blue uniforms when in the field. There are only a few references to this practice, but the most definite is Captain Rudolph Aschmann's statement that, "for daily use or so-called lesser tenure we had a blue flannel jacket (the four-button blouse or sack coat) which was worn in the field even by officers." Also, Stevens (Capt. C.A. Stevens, author of Berdan's United States Sharpshooters in the Army of the Potomac 1861- 1865) noted that in Setember of 1863 "A large amount of green clothing...formerly turned in..." was distributed in the autumn, seemingly thus replacing the standard blue which had been worn while on campaign, including during the battle at Gettysburg.

This information comes from uniform expert Michael J. McAfee. I would not be surprised if McAfee wrote the fact/information sheet for this print. ~Gary

 

[Mark S]

Thanks for that info, Gary.

That's really interesting and I agree the blue jacket with
the green trousers and cap would look good on a Sharpshooter figure.

 

[phc35]

The green Frock coat and the Blue sack coat are different lengths?

Jay

 

[garyjd]

The green Frock coat and the Blue sack coat are different lengths?

Jay

Jaybird, If that's a question, the answer is the frock is longer in length than the sack (fatigue) coat. ~Gary