CONFEDERATE EQUIPAGE

A GUIDE FOR REENACTORS

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05/07/07

A FEW WORDS ABOUT BLOCK BUTTONS

BLOCK    I    BUTTONS:   There were a wide variety of locally made Confederate buttons. There were differences in face dies, material of construction, size, finish, shank type, and back dies. The block I button was the most commonly confederate manufactured button used for enlisted uniforms. Here are three locally manufactured, dug Block I buttons and what I feel is an average reproduction.  The button on  the left has a plain brass back and was dug from a Confederate trench on the Howlett Line.  The reproduction is the shiny button.  These reproductions are sold by a variety of sutlers.   The thing to look for is the correct size and style I. The block I to the right of the reproduction is a brass back Richmond marked I.  The button on the far right is a rusted tin back block I. Both of these are from Petersburg.  Tin backed block I and A buttons are found much more frequently than the brass backed block buttons, especially in mid to late war sites.  I suspect that all the dug I buttons shown above were issued by the Richmond Depot.  Buttons issued by other depots may have some slight differences.

Block I button with missing shank and brass back. This button was sold by EM Lewis of Richmond Va. and is so marked. Back marks of this style block I will vary. Some will have "E M Lewis", others will have only "Richmond" and some will have the sellers name. Early in the war, clothing manufactures would order these buttons made with their companies name imprinted as the backmark.

Shown to right are two non-dug Confederate issue buttons.

The block A is another style commonly found in mid to late war sites. It has a tin back, brass hook and may have come on a jacket issued from the Richmond depot. Most of the mid to late war block I buttons also have the same type of tin back.

Shown left are two solid cast brass I buttons, the Civil War's smallest pocket knife and a kepi size lined A button. The solid cast block I buttons are thought to have come from the Rome GA vicinity. They are the same size as a standard tin backed block I. I have been told by Georgia relic hunters that cast block I buttons are the most common block I button found in that area. All those shown here were found in Petersburg.

Shown at right are one of Ben Tart's Waterbury backmarked Script I buttons and a original Script I dug at Petersburg. The Waterbury backmarked Script I button is the most accurate reproduction of this type button.

There are so many questions about P. Tait jacket buttons. Tait did not manufacture buttons although the Tait backmark does appear on some of the buttons supplied with Tait jackets. He bought his buttons from several English vendors and they have various backmarks. Here is a block A button with the P.Tait*Limerick* back mark which indicate that it most likely came on the Tait jackets. Notice the wear on the A. It originally had a lined field but is worn off. Also notice the "floating shank". This is indicative of Tait buttons.

Pewter I button found in a confederate Trench in Petersburg. Pewter I buttons are not common although they are found in limited numbers in the East and West. They are approximately the same size as a standard two piece brass block I. As you can see they are prone to ground action.

For a look at more Confederate buttons go to William Leigh's button collectors page.

CONFEDERATE USE OF EAGLE BUTTONS ??

It seems that based on the information above that eagle buttons were routinely used by the CS quartermaster and probably much more frequently than is currently thought or representated by the reenacting community. It is also interesting to note that most of the jackets shown in the Petersburg death photos where the type of jacket can be identified, are type II and not type III.

ACCOUTREMENTS

Defined as the equipment required to support the soldiers weapon.

Below will be some examples of two of these items, the Cap Box and Cartridge Box.

CAP BOXES

Above are three Confederate manfactured cap boxes. The far left box was picked up on the Battlefield of Gettysburg. It has a button type finial and two belt loops. The center box has a wooden finial and two belt loops. The box on the right has a small brass finial and a single belt loop.

Another Confederate Cap box which appeared on e-bay.

Front and back of two, button finial cap boxes. Notice the field repair on the right box belt loop. Boxes courtesy of John Bradley

Unmarked William Brands & Co. painted canvas cap box. The flap is very stiff on this box almost like there is cardboard under the fabric. Finial is brass. Courtesy of Micheal Kramer.

CARTRIDGE BOXES

William Brands & Co. painted canvas cartridge box. Finial is lead. Courtesy of Micheal Kramer.

IDENTIFIED NORTH CAROLINA CARTRIDGE BOX

The below box was picked up at the Rail Road cut at Gettysburg and hung in a GAR hall for many years. The shoulder straps were cut off and used for hanging the box. Courtesy of Micheal Kramer.

Cut into the flap of the box is J L Barnes Co A 32 Ncv REgt

Bottom and open view. The finial is lead and the strap buckles are wire.

Double roller belt, cap box and cartridge box. Confederate to the core. Notice the lead finials.

NORTH CAROLINA KEPI: The crown of the cap has a silver bullion "Bugle" infantry insignia with a North Carolina state seal button mounted on its center (most likely owner supplied and installed). The chin strap buttons are small U.S. Staff. The lining is a calico material and the cap band is Cadet Gray. This cap demonstrates the same fading to its present color as do many jean canteen covers. This photo courtesy of the HENDERSHOTT MUSEUM CONSULTANTS.  I recommend you visit their site by clicking on the link. They have a catalog with a great variety of Confederate items for sale.

KEPI CHIN STRAP BUTTON: While we are talking about block letter buttons and kepis, I would like to show you another item from the HENDERSHOTT MUSEUM CONSULTANTS.   I don't know if this was an officers cap or enlisted. Shown is a small size LINED I button.  These buttons were imported from England.  In addition to the Lined I shown on this kepi, I have seen them in Lined A and Script I.  The lined I shown on this button is the correct style for I for coat and vest size buttons also. Notice the lined field in the I. This is what is lacking on the modern reproductions of this style I. Field recoveries of these small kepi buttons are somewhat rare but they are found. Coat and vest buttons of this style are found more often but are still scarcer than the Script I and of course the ever popular block I.

Shown at right is a Greg Starbuck Richmond Depot kepi in Ben Tarts #5 jean. It has the small script I button for the chin strap.

Greg Starbuck reproduction of the Crews Kepi which is shown in Echos of Glory. Cap is made of Tarts 5J. Notice the civilian button used for the chin strap which is made of twill tape and non-functional. This cap has a plain leather visor.

This original North Carolina cap is identified to W.A. Thompson of Company A, 27th NC Inf.

Notice the unusual strap button.

Picture of this original officers kepi was provided by Dobi Pilgram. Notice the CSA strap buttons on the chin strap.

Shown left is a Virginia Militia Frock coat with what appears to be white webbing or white buff leather accoutermant straps. White webbing was very common for early war use in the Confederacy. Large numbers of the clip corner brass militia type buckles have been recovered in early war camps and battlefields up to the early1863 period. This coat was one of the items auctioned off from the John Bracken collection.

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