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Mosby's
Rangers: Uniforms: Individual Men
NOTE: this is a rough draft, cut and pasted from a MS Word Document. Not all the material is here at present, and the process of listing officers separately from the men and alphabetizing everyone has not yet been completed. However, this very rough draft is presented so that some initial backup to the conclusions can be provided for those who are interested. The pictures will also be added in due course so that readers can draw their own conclusions. If you have comments, please email me! Note: when there is no mention of hats, then a hat is not worn by the subject in that photograph. All shirts are white with only one exception. John S. Mosby: 1. Mosby -*** (seated -- group photograph #1) double breasted jacket, LOOKS like might be JEB Stuart type shell rather than frock, matching military style waistcoat underneath, looks like black collar facing but hard to tell in shadows. Wide legged light gray trowsers covering boots, hat in his hand is a palee color (beige? Light gray?). Hard to tell from angle whether it's a slouch or "Mosby" style. Officers: Dr.
W. L. Dunn Capt.
Alfred Glascock, Co D - Sleeve detail looks like he's wearing sergeant's stripes. 9 button jacket or single breasted frock (?), higher than usual stand-up collar, dark cuff and collar facings (black?) Hardee type hat w/ ostrich plume Lt.
Charles E Grogan, Co D-- Lt.
Davis S. Briscoe, Co D - Maj Adolphus "Dolly" Richards - 1. (not a full length photo) double breasted, can't tell if it's a frock or not as not full length photo, but probably is based on the way it hangs. Wider set of buttons than Briscoe or Grogan's coats. (compare with other, full length picture of him) Contrast with: 2. (full length picture) double breasted frock coat with 14 buttons, cuffs obscured by gauntlets, black or dark cape flung back (lining could be red like Mosby's in oil portrait at MOC), trowsers plain, only partly visible but appear to match coat. Slouch style "Mosby" hat in (probably) gray or beige, with brim rolled on one side, ostrich plume on rolled side, badge of hat looks to be captured insignia, in imitation of Mosby's sporting a star from Gen. Stoughton's uniform. Lt Harry Hatcher, co A - from tight fit it looks like a shell jacket, but darker gray fabric than usual (Did any Tait jackets make it to the 43rd??) Eight buttons visible in photo to waistline (probable 9 buttons total like RD jackets?) 2 buttons on coat sleeve, non-contrasting collar and cuffs Capt. Samuel F. Chapman -- double breasted, probably frock, collar appears to be possibly faced with yellow / buff, buttons are dark, could be they be covered with black cloth, or black Goodyear buttons or is this merely caused by the camera angle? Lt. John J. Fray, Artillery Co. - wearing double breasted frock in darker gray 3 visible cuff buttons, large square belt buckle Capt. Peter A Franklin, Artillery Co - single breasted dark coat with overlapping closure, not a full length image so hard to tell whether it's a single breasted frock, a sack coat or a shell jacket. Narrowly piped in (yellow? Gold? Some lighter color?) Lt.. Frank H Rahm, Artillery Co. "Mosby" type hat in darkish color (gray, brown? and what looks like shell jacket, no epaulettes, 4 visible buttons to breast level. Dark looking fabric. (contrast with lighter shell jacket worn by him in group picture) Lt. John S. Russell, Co C -- (not a full length photo) double breasted coat, looks like it could be a shell of the Stuart type, 10 visible buttons to mid chest. Non contrasting collar "Palmer" (probably Lt. Ben Palmer, Co. E) ** (reclining) hard to tell what he's wearing. Slouch hat, gauntlets Lt. Albert Wrenn, Co B - single breasted pale gray shell jacket could be RD III or IV type, could have collar facing under rank markings but hard to tell because of shine on photo. Wearing gauntlets Capt T.W.T. Richard, Co G - (only a head shot) double breasted frock coat of style with angular button placket Lt Col William H. Chapman - double breasted frock coat, three buttons on cuff, slightly wideset button pattern, standard 14 buttons. Dark slouch with rolled brim on one side and hat cord. Cuff facings are yellow/tan or a matching gray, collar facings not visible NCO's Sgt Horace Johnson, co B - mid-chest length photo - six visible buttons, no epaulettes, looks like probably a frock coat from the way it hangs. Sgt. Thomas Booker, co. E -- 1. ( mid-chest length photo) could be a civilian jacket, more likely to be single breasted frock OR shell with collar turned down into lapel style. Coat is higher necked than most civilian styles. Wearing smaller version of "Mosby" type hat in what looks like a pale beige but could be light blue given how blue photographs in wet plate collodion processing, contrast with: 2. (group picture **) Shorter brimmed version of "Mosby" hat, nattily folded brim. Striped necktie, short shell jacket, clearly depicted with six buttons (Columbus depot type? Or custom made? Or RD type incorrectly painted by artist?) Sgt. Charles Landon Hall, Co. C -- light gray coat, probably a frock, with lapels buttoned down in a look similar to one of Gen. Lee's coats.. High necked waistcoat in military style, apparently matching, light colored planter style hat. Could just be him in civilian dress but as the photo is from wartime, it suggests that it is probably a uniform Sgt. A.G. Babcock** (reclining in picture) "Mosby" slouch type hat, side folded up, "jacket" looks like might be a greatcoat / overcoat. Wearing gauntlets, over the knee cavalry boots, 2 pistols at side (hard to tell type, probably Colts) Privates: F.F. Bowen, Co. B - photo taken 1864 -- Jacket with epaulettes, single breasted, high collared vest underneath -- could be RD II type jacket or single breasted frock - can't tell from photo as it cuts off at waist height. Probably a shell jacket, however. Zach F. Jones, Co D - Wearing big slouch hat almost like a cowboy hat with eccentric looking ostrich plume mounted on the FRONT of the hat. Wearing what appears to be a civilian frock coat with waistcoat underneath but could be a custom tailored uniform Henry S. Ashby, Co. B - (not a full length picture) Looks like a coarser grade of cloth - possibly RD 3 jacket (no epaulettes - 4 visible buttons to mid breast, could be 9 button jacket) Dark looking wool, no collar facing Walter W. Gosden, Co E - (not a full length image) Wearing a rounded, almost bowler style hat w very narrow brim. Closely fitted jacket, looks like possible RD 3 type with black collar facing. 4 visible buttons to breast center. William
E. Colston, Col. A - pre-Jan 10, 1864 Looks like 9 button RD type III or IV jacket (9 button shell) with black facing on collar. Belt with single star on buckle., 2 revolvers Charles Paxson, Co A -- Kepi, civilian shawl collared waistcoat, dark frock or sack with contrasting lighter (yellow?) lapels but lapels have button holes in them which suggests a single breasted frock folded open, contrast with: Charles Paxson (depicted full length, standing)** single breasted frock, gauntlets, kepi square belt buckle, gray trousers, collar plain / unfaced, long trousers either worn OVER boots or short boots or shoes. Note: both images must predate January 1864, as he was killed then. Charles Dear, Co E - double breasted, 10 visible buttons to breast level - no epaulettes, black collar facing, looks like could be frock (wideset button type) or possibly imitation of Jeb Stuart type of shell James J. Williamson, Co A - 1865 photo - (author of book) looks like either a frock or shell jacket, single breasted, light colored wool, collar looks to be lighter (yellow or buff?) Interesting full length CDV of two brothers: James C. Kane, Co D wearing a dark jacket, looks to be nine button shell, no epaulettes, with dark trowsers, stuffed into below the knee boots, light colored civilian-style shawl collared waistcoat. Holding hat but hat shape hard to determine because of angle - view from top shows it to be oval shaped overall. Carrying saber. John C. Kane Co D -- Uniform is largely a lighter colored version of his brothers --, 9 button shell definitely looks like an RD II type, gray wool waistcoat underneath, buttoned high. Baggy light colored (gray? Beige? Lt blue?) trowsers thrust into over the knee cavalry boots. Set of pistols on belt holster. (can't determine type from photo) George M. Slater, Co, E- seated photo, to mid-chest double breasted (8 buttons visible) probably a frock because of waistline bunching but could possibly be a "Stuart" type jacket. Outerwear - buttoned cape William W Patteson, Co C - mid-chest level photo, double breasted coat with angular overlap Lt Frank Fox, Co C -- photo dates before Sept. 1864 when he was mortally wounded. double breasted coat - could be frock or Stuart type, with black collar facings, black or dark hat in style similar to the picture on the Quaker Oats box. Wm. R. Stone, Co A - frock coat double breasted, waist length civilian type vest, dark civilian (?) trowsers Joseph W. Owen, Co B- (not a full length photo) double breasted coat, light color, no contrasting collar facings, coat has large buttons and is probably a frock Unsorted images, including those from group photos (marked with ** and ***) Walter Gosden ** (reclining) hard to tell what he's wearing, looks like could be a shell jacket OR frock, black faced collar, cuffs trimmed but could be self faced in gray or in a buff that doesn't contrast in black and white photography. Wearing slouch hat. John W. Munson ** Square toed boots, look like they could be made on a straight last, either shorter boots or or worn under trousers, Trowsers look to be of some heavy fabric like jean, and are pale / beige possibly white or light blue. Double breasted frock, 3 buttons at cuff, slouch hat with low crown reminiscent of later "western" styles "Dickinson",( probably John T. Dickson, Co E) ***(standing) double breasted frock, - the type with large buttons set at a slope to give pigeon breasted effect, either has short boots under his trowsers or he's wearing shoes "Watkins" (probably J.R. Watkins, Co. E) *** (seated on floor) wearing sack jacket that looks like a civilian style, e.g loose, lapelled, but it could merely be the angle at which he's sitting. Boots worn under trousers, slouch hat at feet Thomas *** - (not clear which Thomas this is) double breasted coat, hangs as if it were a frock rather than Stuart type shell, but hard to tell for certain, black collar facings, white or pale trowsers (lt. blue? beige?) Smith *** (not clear which Smith this is) shell jacket, looks like Richmond Depot Type III or IV (no epaulettes), black collar trim, plumed black hat under arm. Hard to tell hat style, probably a slouch or possibly a Hardee. Carlisle *** (probably D. Grafton Carlisle) high necked civilian vest (or may eve ben captured yankee issue with new buttons, white shirt, dark drowers boots, scratch on photo or weird fringe on boot top Corbin *** (probably Sgt. John Corbin) double breasted frock, narrow button style, with probable black collar facing (maybe- collar partly obscured by beard) McVey *** (probably Richard McVey, severely wounded in April 1865) black vest, high necked, hard to tell fabric, looks like civilian style but could be Yankee captured dark blue, as it's high buttoned to the neck. Dark trowsers, probably civilian. Very odd looking hat in his lap looks like its made out of fur
Boyd Smith, Co E - (mid-chest only photo) Double breasted coat, could be a frock or Stuart type shell, no collar facing white shirt, black tie.
Fred S. Hipkins, Co. C -- Sack coat - looks like civilian pattern, but COULD be the sort of frock that lapels can turn down on. High boots over trowsers, gauntlets, "Mosby" type slouch with ostrich plume, worn at rakish angle
Sydnor Ferguson, Co B -- (not a full length picture) double breasted very dark jacket (could be photo), gun in hand looks like Colt Navy type but image is indistinct. Jacket is probably a frock coat although picture only goes to his waist so hard to tell.
Charles E Biedler, Co C -- double breasted coat, probably a frock but could be Stuart type, same colored waistcoat underneath, high buttoning military style. White shirt and tiny striped tie that seemed unusually popular with this battalion.
---------------- REALLY UNSORTED, Full of Typos: Sgt H. M. McIlhany - co f =- double breasted jacket, couldl be shell or forck, hard to tell as he's sitting, tiny neck tie Adj Wm H. Mosby - double breasted frock, med ubtton pattern 14 buttons, dark sash, could be red or black, no collar and cuff facings, dark slouch hat with brim rolled upo on one side Sgt. Robt B. Parrot, co F - double breasted wide set buttons with pointed placked, black cllar facing, high white collar under, no visible tie, can't tell if frock or shel
Durand Shakelford, co E - jacket not visible, wearing fingertip length pale gray cape with turn down collar, short beehive hat, darker gray trowsers and shoes or could be boots under trowsers
Bushrod Underwood, Co A - big gantlets, small cone hat or pingce slouch scowboystyle, high standarind collrd, black or black triped tie, double breasted wideset pattern jacket appears from line drawing to be a frock, belt buckle looks like hanover brass VA buckle! Capt. Robert S. Walker, Co b - double breasted probably a frock, straight set buttons, A Lee Patteson, Co C- slouch hat mosby style with black ostrich olume - double breasted, looks like could be shell rather than frock, ligther fray or faced trowsers, no collar facing Harry T. sinnot, co b - double breasted4 button shell jacket, tiny necktie white shirt, square belt buckle, lt trousers over the knee boots, Mosby style hat but smaller John H. Foster, Co A - looks like Richmond depot single breasted shell jacket, black mosby hat, tie at neck and white shirt Lt. Frank Carter, Jr. Co H - double breasted, contrasting facing -- lack probably mid-chest pic could be frock or stuart jacket Joseph Bryan Co D - double breasted gray jacket, white shirt, could be shell or frock H.C. Dear, Co d - single breasted shell no epaulettes, 7 visible buttons but probably 9, boots over trowsers Lt. James G. Wiltshire - double breasted, fancy buttons, probably a frock but mid-chest pic hard to tell Robert Chew, Co D - double breasted frock,, wideset buttons look black double button holes like they'd button back on themselves dark civ vest and trowers Frank M. Angelo - Co c - double brasketded dark bbrock14 bttons, square belt buckle, dk gray slouch with hat cord and ostrich normal set of buttons but bigger than usual Ben palmer - line drawing from photo, mid-chest only, appears tobe wearing frock with lapels down, vest, mosby type hat with brim curled and slanted Lt. Joseph H Neslon Co A -= line drawing from photo taken soon afte war - double breasted frock Norman V. Randolph Co E - farmer type hat, sortof like a mosby but brim up ain front, very tiny necktie, white shirt, overlapping lapels looks like single breasted jacket wrapped and tied with belt Lucian Love, Co D - one of six men killed at front royal by Merritt's command - single breasted shell jacket looks to be Richmond depot type, white shirt and interesting necktie as small bow with long string, like western tie John H Alexander and Hugh T. Waters, co, A - Alexander has dark gray jacket on, strong contrast to light gray trowsers worn isinide boots. Jacket looks single breasted and RD type shell Waters is wearing similar gear jacket shaped at waist front can't count number of buttons Sgt Major guy broadwater, 0- single breasted coat, front open in shawl open collar effect, hard to tell, tiny necktie The Big famous group shot Back row: Lee Howison Double breasted straight button pattern frock, round hat (mosby type?) tilted back Lt Ben Palmer Round bowler /derby type hat, high coat with lapels, could be civ. Sack coat Lt John Puryear Slouch hat in sort of western mode, double breasted frock coat, narrow btton pattern, dinky necktie Sgt Thos booker Small black necktie under collar, looks like dk gray civ. Sack coat, mosby type hat small Sgt A.G. Babcock Single breaseted shell - 8 buttons visitibl,e, proably 9 ubtton RD type nno epaulettes, squarish versoin of mosby hat N.V. Randollph Wrap around coat with lapels, visible buttonholes appears to be a frock coat buttoned funny. Slouch hat turned up in rakish pirate fashion Lt. Frank Rahm Mosby type hat worn quare on head, shell jacket, looks like rd type no epaulettes Row 2 St.g Robert Parrrot Double breasted can't tell if frock or shell, looks like shell, wideset button patern Thomas Throop Round top hat, almost a beehive Single breasted coat, could be frock or shell, but looks lik frock, John w. munson Single breasted, looks like RD type shell Mosby Mosby hat in lt gray or beige, black wide hatband, ostrich plume at weird angle on NON roled side of brim. Double breasted Stuart jacket with 3 buttosn on cutts 14 buttons on front. Light coloared trowsers, worn over boots _____ Noel (who is this guy - he's got stripes on sleeve - sgt? Corp. ) single breasted looks like RD type jacket Charles Quarles Single breasted loose jacket hard to tell frmom photo, could be civ type slouch or rd that doesn't fit well, square versoin of mosby type hat, very low crown Front, seate on floor, Walter W. Gosden Bowler, single breasted rd type jacked, tapered trowsers (o go into boots, but ankle showing prb. Has shoes one Harry T Sinnott Single breasted rd type jacket, cured brim mosby type hat, over the knee boots O.L Butler RD type jacket no epaulettes, mid calf booths with pants tucked in, patterned shirt and light colored civ waistcoat with shawl collar (only patterned shirt in pix.) Roundish type civ hat I A Gentry RD type jacket pants tucked into high boots Mosby - Jan 1863 - uniform worn when staughton captured. Double breasted straight line buttons frock doat, capt.s gold gimp on sleeves, yellow collar and cuff facings 1 This book was reprinted by Time Life in the early 1980's. Although it is currently out of print, copies frequently come up on eBay and it is recommended reading for all recruits to the living history group. ** Group picture, "The Bivouac" -- depicted Babcock, Gosden, Palmer, Munson, Booker, Paxson. This is a painting rather than photograph by J.E Taylor. However, picture is detailed portraiture of the individual men, so is likely to have been done from life or a series of photos and therefore should be given some weight. Picture must have been meant to depict a time before January 1864 as Paxson was killed then. *** Group shot two - photograph of Mosby with some of his men
Uniforms & Equipment of the 43rd Battalion: Part
2: The
Influence of JEB Stuart Part
3: The
Uniforms of Mosby's Rangers: Overview
& Conclusions Part
5: Arms
and Accoutrements Part
6: Uniform
& Equipment Guidelines for 43rd
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