
Uniforms of the
Tenth
The "Columbus Depot" Jacket
One of the most popular
jackets being worn by hobbyists portraying western Confederate troops
today is a reproduction based on an original style possibly produced by
the Confederate quartermaster depot in Columbus, Georgia. Judging from
the surviving originals and a number of period images that appear to
show this style, it must have seen widespread issue during the war.
The "Columbus Depot"
jacket was first identified in published work by Les Jensen. The basic
styling of this jacket is well known. The surviving originals were all
made on a pattern of 6-piece bodies, with 1-piece rather full sleeves
tapering to the cuffs. All are made of a wool-cotton jean cloth (a
woolen weft on a cotton warp, apparently unbleached or brown in some of
the jackets), woven to a 1/2 twill. A six button front was also comon
among these.
The jackets have
collars and straight cuff trim about 2-1/2 inches wide of a medium or
indigo blue kersey weave wool (not jean). The linings were made from a
white or unbleached cotton tabby weave osnaburg. Stitching was done by
hand, including buttonholes and top-stitching, and the jacket bodies
have a line of top-stitching running around all outside edges, about
1/4-inch from the edge. Top-stitching on the collars and cuff trim
varies.
Jensen identified two
distinct styles of the basic pattern: a "Type I," with interior pockets
in the lining, and a "Type II," with one external pocket, set into the
body of the jacket, with a jean facing piece along the opening. Jensen
felt that the "Type II" may have been produced later than the "Type I."