Description
Sixth plate, ruby ambrotype of this early war infantryman. He sits dressed in the seldom seen black great coat and cape. As blue cloth began to run increasingly low during the summer of 1861, the Federal government scrambled to find whatever cloth was available to produce great coats for the rapidly approaching fall and winter months. As a result, a number of troops were issued great coats of grey cloth and even black as this view shows. I do know that there were some Ohio regiments that were issued these but I would expect they were issued elsewhere as well in small numbers. Very nice view of a seldom seen coat. Housed in a full leatherette case with a split spine.
