Drawings of the 2nd, 4th, 5th, 27th and 33d Virginia Infantry regiments/companies, July of 1861

First Brigade, Army of the Shenandoah, July 1861

Researched and drawn companies:

2nd Virginia Infantry Regiment

  Co A “Jefferson Guards” 

     From 1858 onwards, the men and NCO's of Company A first wore the dark blue Virginia state uniform with a hardee hat. It was believed that this uniform was also worn in July, 21th, 1861. However, this is incorrect as the photo includes a dated note from June 9, 1861. The uniform consists of a gray kepi with black band and piping with the company letter “A” on the top; a long gray coat and trousers, probably with gold piping on the collar, the regimental number “2” on each collar and two small buttons on each under sleeve, an old army belt with smaller buckle fastening with “US” on it was still worn despite that this was the symbol of the opposing party. 

     The officers uniform, at right is a different story: this consists of a union blue forage cap, frock coat and trousers. The coat is single-breasted with the Virginia coat of arms on the buttons. The rank bars for a lieutenant 2nd class are worn on the shoulders. This uniform look almost the same as the uniforms of officers of the opposing party. In most gray-uniformed Confederate companies in 1861, the uniforms of the officers were distinct from those of the enlisted men. Officers were therefore an easy target during this battle. The casuality rate among officers was thus very high. 

                                                                                             

                                                 Source: Library of congress

Co B “Hamtramck Guards”

The drawing is based on a photo of Wesley Culp, who would be killed near Gettysburg two years later. Because it is not known whether the shirt he is wearing was unique to him and because the colors are not known, I have drawn it in black and white. Another member of this company writes in a letter that they have been given heavy shirts, possibly this type. I myself added a kepi with havelock against the sun and white belts.

Co D “Berkeley Border Guards”

This drawing is based on a photograph taken early in the war, probably around April 1861, of James M. Reed.He wears a dark blue kepi, a long gray coat and pants with black trim. Cadet chevrons are worn on the coat. These were normally only worn by recruits from military academies. There was no rank indication for ordinary soldiers. This is one of many examples of personal or company adaptations of soldiers from both sides in 1861.

Co E “Hedgesville Blues”

I have based this drawing on a photo of a member of this unit. As some companies of the 2nd Virginia Infantry were described as wearing red and blue shirts in 1861. I have given my example a red shirt. It’s just an interpretation, for I’m not interely sure if the photo is from 1861. Many companies after shedding their jackets or coats or just wearing shirts could have looked almost as this drawing; this goes for many Confederate companies, but could go for Union regiments and companies, such as from Ohio, 11th New York, 1st Minnesota as well creating much confusion that day. 

Co H “Letcher Riflemen”

This drawing is based on a description of a descendant of a soldier of Company H "Letcher Riflemen" of the 2nd Virginia Regiment. He has a photo that he describes on a forum. Unfortunately, the person is no longer online, because I wanted to request a scan of the photo. He described the uniform as a gray jacket with a black collar and ditto epaulettes and dark blue or dark gray kepi. It was a photo of the torso so it is not clear whether the coat is a long "frock coat" or a short "rondabout". That's why I only drew the top part.

Co I “Clarke Riflemen” 

     I have based this drawing on a portrait photo of Carter Louthan from this company and a photo of two Virginian soldiers with "CR" on their caps, the jackets look the same as the portrait photo of Carter Louthan. So it is almost, but not 100% certain that the pair are also from this company. The long coat has gold colored tape around the collar. The kepi has a black band with gold-coloured letters “CR”. Black piping is worn on the pants

Unknown company 

     Based on information from "Sunday Picnic Uniforms". Cap with black rubber waterproof cover, black trousers, gray long coat with black collar and black pointed trim on the sleeves, white webbing belts. 

4th Virginia Infantry Regiment 

   Co B “Fort Lewis Volunteers”

The soldier has been identified as Abraham Gross. He wears a kepi with black band and bronze letters “FLV”, a short “roundabout” or “shell” jacket, and trousers with a broad black seam stripe. Apart from the black trim on the pants and cap and the "FLV" lettering, this is actually a harbinger of the basic uniform that the South would wear for the rest of the war, albeit in various shades of gray from almost white to gray blue or gray black, and with all kinds of hats or caps as headgear.

Co C “Pulaski Guards”

This company wore gray long coats and trousers. The pants have a green thick trim. They also wore a gray shako with a green band and pompom. A gold wreath with “PG” was worn on the front. In my drawing I had the wearers remove the metal reinforcement from the shako and the pompom, so that the cap has become an easier to wear kepi. As with so many Virginia regiments, white webbing straps and cross straps are worn as equipment with the Virginia coat of arms on the belt buckle.

Co F “Virginia/Grayson Daredevils”

This drawing is based on a photo of an original uniform, partially worn during the battle. According to the description with the uniform, this was worn by both the officers and men. The jacket was not worn because it was quite warm during the battle. The jacket and cap have a kind of pepper and salt color, the pants are light gray with a pepper and salt color. According to other accounts, this company wore bright red shirts, based on the then popular "red shirts" worn by Garibaldi's troops during the battles for the unification of Italy. The first drawing with a coat depicts a soldier of this company while waiting at the Piedmont Station from which several regiments were transported by train to Manassas. This was the first time in history that soldiers were transported to the battlefield by train. The second drawing, without jacket and with red shirt, depicts a soldier of this company on Henry Hill during the battle.

 

Co G “Montgomery Invincibles”/ “Wise Fencibles”

These two drawings and the photos on which they are based make it clear that even in a company of a regiment there could be a difference in uniformity. The only similarities between the two soldiers are the gray pants with black trim and the white webbing straps. The first soldier, based on the accompanying photo of Elijah McClanahan Ingles, wears his long gray coat and shako with “WF” initials. Often the metal wire reinforcements were removed from the old shakos so that it looked more like a more slack modern kepi. In the photo the carrier has not done that, I have done that on the drawing.

Soldier number two, based on the accompanying photo of J.K. Ewing is no longer wearing his coat. During the battle on July 21 it was very hot and many soldiers from both sides took off their heavy coats and fought in overshirts. These were often civilian shirts so that after taking off the coats a group of soldiers who looked orderly with coats had a motley appearance of red, blue, white and many patterned shirts, this is described in eyewitness reports as being soldiers in civilian clothes. Ewing wears a “Sicilian” hat as a headgear, often a personal taste of the wearer.

Co I  “Liberty Hall Volunteers”

This company consisted of younger students. This unit, like several confederate units, had a shirt with two large pockets as a uniform jacket. These shirts were piped in black in various ways at the collar, sleeves, closure and pockets. See also the original portrait photos. A dark blue cap, sometimes with bronze “LHV” letters, was worn as a kepie. Some of them wore a white “havelock” cover against the sun. Gray trousers with black trim were worn, sometimes with white leggings. White webbing belts and transverse belts in the early militia style were worn as equipment. The drawing represents a crucial part of the battle: it looked bad for the Confederates until General T.J. Jackson called on the 4th and 27th Virginia infantry regiments to stop the advancing federal 14th Brooklyn Zouave regiment. After a fiery speech from him, the regiments attacked, under loud shouting, the birth of the “rebel yell”. The 14th Brooklyn was driven back, but the battle was not over yet.

5th Virginia Infantry Regiment

Co A “Marion Rifles”

A clear early photo of this unit is known of Peter Lauck Kurtz. I based the drawing on this photo. He wears a frock coat with black bars on the collar and three black bands with a button on each sleeve. He wears pants with black trim. He wears a black hat with a small brim, folded up on both sides. It is not known whether this hat was worn only by Peter Lauck Kurtz, or whether his entire company wore the same hats. It can be a personal addition, as so much happened in the Civil War.

Co C “Mountain Guards”

As with several companies and regiments from both the North and the South, the red overshirt was also popular with this company. Gray trousers and dark blue kepi and white webbing belts are worn. I discolored and faded the shirt. The drawing depicts a soldier who takes cover in the tall grass for the exploding grenades above him, the fear can be read from his face and body position. The red shirt stands out from miles away and is a perfect target. Young boys from the North and South volunteered with a happy feeling, which they expected would only last a few months and the war would be won. Disappointment soon set in…

 

Co D “Southern Guard” part 1, (right) and Co F "West View Infantry" (left)

Company D “Southern Guard” is taken from an early war picture of James B. McCutchan, showing an early beautifully trimmed coat, whether it is a frock coat or rondabout and if the undersleeves are trimmed is not known unfortunately. Records say grey coats, but tekst is partly illegible.

Company F “West View Infantry” is taken from an early war picture, no further information is known whether it’s a shirt, frock coat or rondabout

5th Virginia Infantry Regiment. Company D “Southern Guard” (part 2)

I have based this drawing on a 1861 “excerpts from the Supplemental Official records. Company records”description about the uniforms of Company D.

Many thanks to the www.Stonewallbrigade.com website for providing this. Members of the facebookpages of the Stonewallbrigade and Authentic Campaigner helped me with the interpretation of the “U.S. Navy caps”: this could have been a navy cap with peak or simply a navy blue kepi or forage cap. The “gray illegible jacket” is described in the post above. The “blue flannel jacket” is very probably a shirt.

Co E “Augusta Greys”

Based on a picture from december 1861 showing a blue kepi with sky blue piping, with brass “AG” letters in front. The blue shirt is taken from a reenactment group, but I don’t know if it’s entirely accurate. Under research.

 

Does somebody know how to contact this reenactment group?

I want to ask them about the shirts

Co G “Staunton Rifles”

Based on an early war photograph, showing the wearer in gray military pants with black or dark green (rifles) trouser stripe but with a civilian coat. The hat can be a personal touch. Nothing is known of the military coat or shirt that was worn in 1861, so I draw him with a white undershirt, as many coats were taken off, due tot he heat in July, 21th, 1861..

 

Co K “Continental Morgan Guards”

This uniform looks as if it comes from the Revolutionary War 90 years earlier. This militia had this uniform prewar, and there is a possibility it was also worn at First Manassas until other evidence surfaces

Co L “West Augusta Guards”

This is a uniform that undoubtedly caused a lot of confusion on the battlefield.

The uniform is a variation of the state uniform prescribed in 1858. Many regiments in Virginia had a gray variant in 1860, but a number of companies of Virginia regiments still had the blue 1858 uniform in various variants in 1861. It hardly differs from some uniforms of the Union counterpart, the uniform of the U.S. Army. regular troops was almost the same. However, a few minor details were unique to this uniform. The Hardee hat did not bear the infantry horn, but the letters “WAG”, for “West Augusta Guards”. The jacket had no light blue piping on the collar and sleeve cuffs. Badges, probably the “L” of company “L”, were worn on the collar. Light blue pants were worn instead of the dark blue ones.

A white militia pair with oval clasp without inscription is worn.

27th Virginia Infantry Regiment

Co B “Virginia Hibernians”, Captain Norris

Charles Norris was only 17 years old when he was made acting captain of Company B (60 to 100 men). He was a cadet at the Virginia Military Institute (VMI). Since there was apparently no officer's uniform available, he wore his cadet uniform during the battle, borrowing the jacket from a study mate. Charles Norris led Company B in a crucial counterattack by General Jackson. He was hit in the heart during this attack. His older brother Joseph Norris who was also present at the battle and served with the Loundoun artillery found the body after the battle and brought it home. Charles Norris was buried in Leesburg. This is one of the many tragic stories of the Civil War. The very young age feels shocking and admirable at the same time. Charles Norris' jacket with bullet hole is kept in the VMI. The current uniform of the cadets of the VMI has hardly changed except for a few details. In my research into the uniforms worn during this battle, I have been unable to find any information regarding the uniforms of Company B's men. I gave the men gray trousers, and, which often happened given the heat that afternoon, I had them take off their coats, revealing the civilian shirts, in all colors, this was confirmed in several eyewitness accounts. As headgear I gave them a kepi with white “havelock” against the sun, the color of the kepis are thus hidden. The person behind left wears a civilian mechanic cap with rubber cover. These were regularly brought along by men of both sides with this profession. Finally, the flag that is carried. This is the Southern “Stars and Bars” , the opposite of the Northern “Stars and Stripes”. From a distance, these opposing flags looked a lot alike. Just like the uniforms, this led to a lot of confusion, so that enemy troops were accidentally fired at enemy troops or not at all or too late. In late 1861, therefore, Confederate troops would fly the famous and better-known “Southern Cross” battle flag, which was very different from the “Stars and Stripes”.

Co E “Greenbrier/ Lewis Rifles”

I based this drawing on the accompanying photo of Alfred Mallory Edgar. As was customary for several Confederate companies, the overshirt is worn. A cheaper alternative than a uniform jacket, and, for the warm summer months, much more comfortable. The overshirt has no decorations, but does have small gold, probably military buttons. Gray trousers are worn. A gray kepi with a black band is worn as headgear.

 CCummings Regiment (later 33d Virginia Infantry Regiment)

Co H “Page Greys”

These two drawings and the photos on which they are based also clearly show that even in a company of a regiment there could be a difference in uniformity.

The first wears a gray long coat and trousers without decorations, and a kepi with a black band, at the front with a point pointing up. The second wears a shirt, richly decorated with black and chevrons, presumably for a sergeant. The two photos on which these drawings are based are probably of two brothers, Hite.

It may well be that the first soldier took off his long warm coat in the afternoon during the battle, when it was very hot and that a shirt like soldier 2 was worn underneath.

Colonel Cummings 

Commander of “Cummings regiment”, what would be called the 33rd Virginia Infantry regiment after the battle. One clear early photograph in uniform of Colonel Campbell Cummings is known on which the drawing is based. He wears the dark blue uniform prescribed in 1858 for Virginia officers. Apart from the buttons and buckle with symbols of Virginia, this uniform is hardly distinguishable from the officer uniforms of the Union opponent.

Brigadier General Thomas Jonathan Jackson, commander First Brigade, Army of the Shenandoah

General Jackson is my favorite Civil War general. He was very eccentric, but a genius in the field. He would be nicknamed "Stonewall Jackson" on this battlefield and that is how he would be called until his death in 1863 and still in most history books today. Only a few photos of Jackson were taken during the war, and all in 1862 and 1863 in which he wears the gray uniform and one with a raincoat or cape. There is an eyewitness account of what Jackson wore during First Manassas: his old dark blue coat he wore before the war as a teacher at the Virginia Military Institute (VMI), although Jackson was already a Brigade General, he still wore shoulder pads of the rank of Colonel. The coat is still hanging in the VMI, albeit with the generals shoulder pads. As headgear he wore his old flat cap that he had worn during the war in Mexico. Many drawings and paintings about First Manassas show Jackson wearing the wrong cap, the one he wore later.