Uniforms of the Orphan Brigade, Part 2

   When the Kentuckians drew Confederate government uniforms, one common style stands out from the rest. This was a light gray shell jacket with blue trim, possibly manufactured in Columbus, Georgia (and probably other locations). Three of these jackets identified to Orphan Brigade soldiers survive. They are made of a jean material (a wool-cotton blend woven in a twill pattern) that was originally light gray, but has aged to light tan. This style of jacket was apparently common throughout the Army of Tennessee, and was probably issued from late 1862 through the end of the war.
(Kentucky Military History Museum collection records; Kentucky Museum, Bowling Green, collection records; Geoffrey R. Walden, "Confederate `Columbus Depot' Jackets," Camp Chase Gazette 22(8), July 1995, pp. 34-38 (Part 1), and 22(9), August 1995, pp. 34-38 (Part 2)

Click here to see images of Sgt. Sandy Edwards, Corp. Holman Smith, and Pvt. George Humes, 6th Kentucky Infantry, wearing examples of this type of jacket.
 To read a more detailed article about this type of jacket, including detailed photos, click here.

Jacket of Elijah C. Woodward, 9th Kentucky Infantry, CSA (courtesy Kentucky Historical Society / Military History Museum; photo by Geoff Walden)

Jacket of A.W. Randolph, 6th Kentucky Infantry, CSA, (courtesy The Kentucky Museum, Bowling Green, KY; photo by Geoff Walden)

Jacket of D.F.C. Weller, 2nd Kentucky Infantry, CSA (courtesy Kentucky Historical Society / Military History Museum; photo by Geoff Walden)

Randolph and Woodward Jackets on display together
Bowling Green, KY, May 1999, photo courtesy Darlene Mercer

   While the gray jean jackets with blue trim may have been the prevailing style for the Orphans during 1863-65, other types of uniforms were doubtless worn as well. A plain gray single-breasted frock coat belonging to Pvt. Charles Herbst of the 2nd Kentucky Infantry survives in a private collection. This coat may have been drawn from Georgia state stores late in the war.  Period images show Orphan Brigade soldiers wearing gray (?) jackets with collar trim but no cuff trim, and jackets with no trim.   Several different styles were obviously worn.  (See our Photo Gallery, particularly the 6th Kentucky Infantry section.)

   Frock coat worn by Pvt. Charles Herbst, 2nd Kentucky Infantry, CSA (courtesy Michael Cunningham)

  Uniforms (Continued)

  Back to Uniforms, pg 1

We gratefully acknowledge the generous permission of the owners in allowing us to show their images and other information on this page. All Kentucky Military History Museum items appear by the kind courtesy of Thomas Fugate, curator.

Revised: Friday, 15-Nov-96 14:33:57 PST
URL: http://members.aol.com/cclc/orphanhm/uniform2.htm