A SOUTH CAROLINA CONFEDERATE CAPTAIN'S SUPERB FROCK COAT

A SOUTH CAROLINA CONFEDERATE CAPTAIN'S SUPERB FROCK COAT

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$75,000.00

Quantity Available: 1

Item Code: 1268-1006

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Worn by Robert Chisolm who formed Chisolm's Company, 1st Battalion South Carolina Sharpshooters on July 23,1862 after service in the artillery. This unit subsequently became Company A, 1st South Carolina Sharpshooters which then was taken into the 27th South Carolina Infantry as Company E. More on him and his unit after a description of the uniform coat he wore.

His frock coat is made of mid- gray wool, possibly imported from England. The use of French buttonholes and the general style make it a Charleston South Carolina product and possibly tailored by C. Decau & Co known for such quality.  It has full-length skirts ending in the typical and desirable raw edge. The sleeves have an 8 1/2-inch billow at the elbow. The mid-gray wool standing collar is 1-1/2 inches high and is lined with gray wool. The gold bullion insignia of 3 captain's bars is each 3 inches long and are actually embroidered in place. They, all but one that is perfectly intact, have minor losses.  The collar is piped with in dark blue broadcloth. The cuffs are 3 inches tall running to a high point of 4 7/8 inches. The cuffs, front of the coat, and rear are all piped with dark blue. The sleeves are functional. The coat is double breasted, with seven buttons and hand finished buttonholes on either side. In place, as when made, are 10 of the original 14, ultra-rare, large CS-1 Confederate staff and general officer's buttons with "ISAAC CAMPBELL & CO." back marks. The functional cuffs were fitted with 2 small Confederate staff buttons back marked "RIVET'D & SOLDER'D". These are on the left cuff only. The sleeves have two rows of 1/8-inch flat fall gold braid or galons in a quatrefoil pattern, the regulation Confederate sleeve insignia for captain. This is 100% intact overall and runs up the sleeve for just over 13 inches. The interior of the upper chest is lined with a brown-green wool while the skirts of the frock are lined with a green cotton blend material. The one chest pocket inside is in the wearer’s left breast. This pocket is lined in neutral colored cotton. The sleeves were lined in a blended decorative material of cotton and silk. The tail pockets, open on to the outside. The pocket linings are cotton and intact. The rear of the coat, the coat tail or pocket flaps, are piped in dark blue and have a total of 4 large CS-1 Confederate staff officer's buttons made by Isaac Cambell & Co. A 3 inch by 1/2-inch wool strip linen lined on the inside collar for hanging the frock is inscribed "Capt. R. Chisholm".  Other than a couple of loose seams and honest wear, mostly in the armpit area, the condition of the coat is beyond reproach. Included with the frock coat is Chisolm's red sash, the condition of this is perfect. This uniform coat and sash were bought in 1993 from a direct family descendant.

An early war member of the Marion Artillery, Captain Parker's Company, Chisholm was, by the summer of 1862, a captain in the 27th South Carolina Infantry Company E. His service until the spring of 1864 was that of the regiments. This service was in and around the defenses of Charleston, SC. Chisholm did not go with the regiment when it was transferred to the Virginia theater in spring 1864 but remained in South Carolina involved clerical matter and courts martial. His health seems to have been an issue. This may explain him having a frock coat with buttons normally worn by general and staff officers. Accordingly, the uniform could date to late 1863 when Chisholm took on the duties of a staff officer and was sent on an inspection tour by general Walker. Later in the summer Chisholm had special duty arresting deserters from the regiment and was present at courts of inquiry. It is likely he ended the war with the fall of Charleston.

With the coat and sash comes a plethora of papers including family and later commercial ownership until it ended up with Mr. Ray Richey of Fort Worth Texas. This uniform evidently was understandable one of his favorites. Be aware that the rare buttons (with CSA on the eagle's chest) in total are worth well over $20,000 and are all original to this uniform. Gorgeous! [pe] [ph:L]

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