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CONFEDERATE ENLISTEDMAN'S ARTILLERY SHELL JACKET

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This is a very fine identified Confederate shell jacket, allegedly worn by Private Edwin F. Barnes, 1^st Company, Virginia Howitzers, Light Artillery, the famous Richmond Howitzers. Barnes initially enlisted April 1861, in Co. H of the 15^th Virginia Infantry. He transferred to the Richmond Howitzers in August 1861 where he would remain, until signing the Oath of Allegiance, in Richmond, in April 1865. Barnes would participate in numerous engagements, during the war, which he survived, unscathed. Please click on this link for detailed information on the Richmond Howitzers (https://civilwarintheeast.com/confederate-regiments/virginia/1st-company-richmond-howitzers/ ).

This jacket resembles, but is not, a Richmond Depot, Type III jacket. It is most likely a product of the Confederate Commutation System whereby it was made by a relative for example. Subsequently they were then financially compensated by the Confederate government. This was common early in the war. As the Depot system of production and issue picked up steam by late 1862 the commutation System faded out but that is not to say that soldiers could and did receive uniforms whole or in part from private organizations or family. Interestingly, another of Barnes' jackets is extant. Barnes’ Richmond Depot jacket is in the collection of the American Civil War Museum, in Richmond. Please be aware that in a period of four years of service a soldier may have had half a dozen or more uniform jackets.  The jacket listed here is constructed of a grayish brown, jean cloth (originally gray oxidized to "butternut") and lined with an off-white, osnaburg. The exterior of the jacket is piped in artillery red wool on the top and bottom of the 1 1/2-inch-high collar as well as down the front of the uniform and in a chevron pattern on the cuffs. This hand tacked piping is 85% intact. The single-breasted jacket has nine, two-piece, coat size, Virginia state seal buttons. These buttons are all back marked: "SCOVILL MFG. CO. WATERBURY". This is in the raised letter, depressed channel configuration. The buttonholes are well worn but it is apparent they are hand whipped.

There are two pockets in the jacket one on the exterior, lower right, lined in the same, off-white osnaburg material, as the interior lining. A second pocket is in the right interior of the jacket and is lined in blue and white, striped pillow-ticking. The lining is conspicuously stained in what appears for all the world to be blood and we will attempt to rationalize this anon. The coat remains in overall, excellent condition with little insect damage. An "older" typed tag once pinned or sewn to the jacket reads: " Confederate Artillery Shell Jacket came with period pipe carved bowel (sic) of soldier with bummer cap. Reported to belong to Corporal (sic) Edward (sic) F. Barnes 1st Co. Richmond Howitzers Hardaway's Battalion 2nd Corps Confederate type trousers of the period but not found with the jacket" This seems to be a collector's, or dealer's note using terms like "bummer cap" and "Confederate type trousers".

It is our mission at the Horse Soldier to look at all sides and possibilities when it comes to our offered merchandise. Accordingly, we are aware that direct provenance to Edwin Barnes is weak on this jacket. The "older" typed card is testament to this with errors in both rank and Barnes' first name. There were several Barnes family members in the 1st Company Richmond Howitzers; five to be exact. The obvious blood spatter in the coat and on the collar suggests a wounding.  Only H. C. Barnes was wounded during the war and this was at Gettysburg. It is not impossible and is in fact likely that if this jacket was retained by the Barnes family that it was Henry C. Barnes' uniform coat (please see his attached archive record re. Gettysburg). That being said more research is required by the ultimate buyer and be aware our price does not reflect the value of this jacket if it can be put at Gettysburg on Henry's back; the price would double!  Absence of evidence is not evidence of absence! This is a terrific looking Confederate Uniform jacket. [pe]

[pe][ph:L]

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