site search
online catalog
A CONFEDERATE CAPTAIN'S (ACTING MAJOR'S) UNIFORM GROUP, EDWARD CLIFTON WHARTON
Hover to zoom
$135,000.00
Quantity Available: 1
Item Code: 1268-062
Shipping: Determined by Method & Location of buyer
To Order:
Call 717-334-0347,
Fax 717-334-5016, or E-mail
Offered is an outstanding uniform ensemble consisting of a frock coat, a vest, a high crowned kepi, a pair of pants and a sash. These belonged to Edward Clifton Wharton Acting Quarter Master CS Army and Chief of Clothing Bureau in Texas at Houston. The major Texas depots included Houston and San Antonio, with limited operations in Tyler, Austin, and Brownsville. For greater details on this operation and Captain Wharton please click on the following link: http://adolphusconfederateuniforms.com/the-souths-white-uniforms.html. And look for Mr. Adolphus's other outstanding essays online. Wharton was officially a captain for the entire war, but General Magruder, greatly satisfied with Wharton's service, had as early as the summer of 1863, forwarded to Richmond the proposition that he be promoted to major and although he was referred to as major in some correspondence, and even by himself, that position was never officially sanctioned by Jefferson Davis. He signed his parole at war's end as "Captain". On his grave he is called "Colonel" (Edward Clifton Wharton (1827-1891) - Find a Grave Memorial). Go figure?
We will present this set in 5 parts:
FROCK COAT: The mid-gray double-breasted uniform coat is made of a good quality woolen broadcloth. On the 2-inch-high white buff collar there are 3 gold bullion 1/2 inch wide and ranging from 3 inches to 3 3/4 inches long bars (6 total all hand tacked) representing the rank of captain. The sleeves which are 8 inches across at the elbow end in a non-functioning cuff. The cuffs are white buff and like the collar have the texture of "Doe Skin". On the cuffs, both sides, runs 1/4-inch-wide gold braid galons in the quatrefoil pattern aka "Austrian Knots". A pair intertwined for captain rank. These are hand tacked and extend 12 inches up the sleeve. On the front of the frock 14 pre-war US eagle officer buttons are present. The buttonholes are all hand whipped. The front of the coat is piped in white buff broadcloth. The tail of the coat has functioning pocket flaps once covering 2 now missing pockets. These pockets were probably polished cotton lined. The pocket flaps are piped with white buff wool broadcloth. Two tail buttons remain of the original four. The interior of the frock is lined in black/green polished cotton. It extends from below the collar to the bottom skirt that ends in the ubiquitous "raw edge". There is no pocket in the left breast. The sleeves are fully lined with a polished white cotton. Condition report: The exterior has scattered small moth nips but not excessive and nothing unsightly. The interior lining is 95% intact. Sewn onto the right upper breast is a 3 1/2 by 2-inch tag that reads: "Coat of Major (sic) Edward Clifton Wharton, C.S.A. Quartermaster under J. Bankhead Magruder Huston Texas 1861-186-"
VEST: The vest is made from the same woolen goods as the frock coat and but for a few moth holes is in excellent condition. The nine-button front is piped in white buff and has hand whipped buttonholes. The small cuff size buttons are all pre-war US eagle officer buttons back marked "EXTRA QUALITY". They are secured by brass split rings. The white buff piped stand-up collar is 1 inch high. There are 3 pockets total in front lined with black polished cotton. The interior of the vest is lined with unbleached linen. The rear of the vest has a veneer of black (now oxidized to brown) glazed cotton (possibly a silk blend) over the interior linen lining. This is splitting and is about 75% intact. The vest is fitted with a linen belt faced with glazed black cotton. It has an adjustable brass buckle that reads "Patent 1855". Sewn onto the left upper breast is a 3 1/2 by 2-inch tag that reads: "Vest of Major (sic) Edward Clifton Wharton, C.S.A. Quartermaster under J. Bankhead Magruder Huston Texas 1861-1865".
THE PANTS: These are gray slightly felted wool. They have a single 1/16-inch white broadcloth cording running waistband to cuff. The cuffs are straight across. These cuffs at bottom front are lined/re-enforced with unbleached wool patches for extra strength. The trousers do-up with a single hard rubber waist button. The interior waist band is lined with white cotton which extends a fair area below this, but the legs are not lined. The fly front has 3 hard rubber buttons left of the original 5. Of the 6 suspender buttons 4 remain. The pants have slit flap front pockets which have a button closure. These pockets are made of white cotton. There is a small pocket in front for a watch it too is cotton lined. There is an adjustable belt at the back with an iron buckle. Sewn onto the right rear is a 3 1/2 by 2-inch tag that reads: "Trousers of Major (sic) Edward Clifton Wharton, C.S.A. Quartermaster under J. Bankhead Magruder Huston Texas 1861-1865". Condition report: Wear at cuff bottoms from service. Scattered insect damage throughout but not affecting stability.
AN EXTRAORDINARY CAP: About as Confederate as Confederate gets! Wharton worked closely with General Magruder, and his cap is very much a copy of Magruder's famous kepi (see attached). Wharton's hat was made in the summer of 1863 in anticipation of his confirmation to the rank of major. Made of navy-blue broadcloth the cap measures 3 1/4 inches in front running to a height of 7 1/4 inches in the rear. The crown is 5 inches diameter. The taller than average kepi, come forage cap, bears 1/8 of an inch wide flat gold metallic braid that is all hand tacked. The braid is of the flat fall type and is in groups of 3 which bespeaks the rank of major. There are three ribbons of braid forming the quatrefoil pattern on the crown. The kepi base band is surrounded by metallic braid in 3 strands as are and the front, back and sides. In front one of the braids has come loose and been lost now 2 remain. A 1/2-inch-wide working patent leather chinstrap is held in place by two South Carolina state seal buttons with plain backs. These certainly appear to be unmolested with and original to this cap. The interior of the kepi is lined with a polished silk which is a mid-blue color. The 1/8-inch-thick unbound front visor is leather and has been painted and varnished on top to waterproof it while the underside is covered with cloth painted black. It is hand stitched around the edge. The visor is 2 inches deep and 7 inches across. The vizor shows evidence of being re-enforced in spots to prevent loss. The original black painted canvas sweat band is 1 1/2 inches high. It is about perfect and is firmly in place. In several places where the stitching deteriorated there is evidence of modern stitching to prevent its loss. It was Mr. Richey's practice, as it is with any great museum, to have his pieces gone over by restorers to preserve the items and if necessary, do the appropriate maintenance. That being said, rest assured, that all components on this kepi are original to it with no additions or replacements. The condition is sound with scattered insect damage on the exterior. The silk interior lining is very good and about 85% intact.
THE SASH: Made of woven and netted crimson silk blend material. There are round braided knots and tassels on each end. The total length is about 125 inches. The condition is perfect.
Mr. Ray Richey prominently displayed this uniform grouping in his Texas Civil War Museum for years. It is remarkable that it all stayed together and hopefully it will pass to another worthy home. [pe] [ph:L]
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
THIS ITEM, AS WITH ALL OTHER ITEMS AVAILABLE ON OUR WEB SITE,
MAY BE PURCHASED THROUGH OUR LAYAWAY PROGRAM.
CLICK HERE FOR OUR POLICIES AND TERMS.
THANK YOU!
Inquire About A CONFEDERATE CAPTAIN'S (ACTING MAJOR'S) UNIFORM GROUP, EDWARD CLIFTON WHARTON
Most Popular
Historical Firearms Stolen From The National Civil War Museum In Harrisburg, Pa »
Theft From Gravesite Of Gen. John Reynolds »
Selection Of Unframed Prints By Don Troiani »
Fine Condition Brass Infantry Bugle Insignia »
featured item
RARE WAR OF 1812 SIMEON NORTH U.S. MODEL 1813 ARMY PISTOL
This is a very professional and very well done reconversion to flint of a very hard to find US military pistol, in strong condition, showing very good metal, sharp lock, proof and mating markings, and wood with generally good surface showing the… (431-69). Learn More »
site search
