Confederate Officer's Insignia - Civil War Uniforms reviewed

In this episode, Andrew Roscoe provides an informative overview of insignia worn by officers in the Confederate army. Despite starting from nothing, the young Confederacy chose to not just exactly copy the United States army and there is a lot of difference in style. While you are learning, enjoy photos of original insignia and original images of officers.
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Thanks to the 21st Georgia Fife and Drum Corps for supporting this video.
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#CWDD #history #dighist #digitalhistory #digitalhistorian #education #research #connection #civilwar #rank #insignia #officers #infantry #South #Confederacy #uniform #artifact #artillery #cavalry #staff

[@peterott9162]

Thatn you to Andy and everyone else at CWDD for bringing us yet another great episode on Civil War insignias, as well as just more great information about the Civil War!!!

[@CivilWarDigitalDigest]

Glad you enjoy! It was fun to do. Will

[@peterott9162]

@@CivilWarDigitalDigest oh I loved it will. Your channel is awesome. I've learned ssssoooo much and continue to do so.

[@powellmountainmike8853]

One should also remember that many of these uniform pieces were sewn by hand, by members of the soldier's family, their mother, wife, or sweetheart, or other family members, and were made from what materials those people could gather together, especially for the lower ranks of officers, and even more for the enlisted ranks. By the end of the war, many Confederate troops were fighting in worn out and patched remnants of the uniforms with which they began. As the lines in the Confederate song "Goober Peas" say, "I wish this war was over, when free from rags and fleas, We'll kiss our wives and sweethearts, and gobble goober peas." (I am old now, old enough that my father actually knew a few veterans of The War Of Northern Aggression when he was a young boy; and am a descendant of Confederate soldiers, and have heard the family stories of what it was like)

[@WestTNConfed]

General Hood's uniform as seen in the movie Gettysburg is my favorite one. Beautiful dark grey, and the gold braiding contrasts very nicely with it.

[@thomasreaves588]

I wonder if that uniforn was made with slave labor?

[@volkerwestphal3746]

Wholeheartedly agree on that. That dark hue. Love it.

[@kevspss]

Confederate officers uniforms were the best looking. My Captain’s uniform was down right pretty.

[@mickeyholding7970]

Thank you for covering my ancestors army, I thoroughly enjoyed it. It's much appreciated.

[@CivilWarDigitalDigest]

Thrilled you enjoy!

[@garethaustin6049]

Hi it’s good to see these days you are expected to be ashamed of this part of heritage. My family goes back to Virginia and I’m proud to say we were involved in the civil war.

[@ajlsrv5490]

@@garethaustin6049 starting and fighting a war (resulting in the loss of nearly 700,000 lives) to preserve the institution of slavery is shameful, is it not?!

[@sirace8352]

A Pointless War ~ Northerner Americans Died & Rotten Crooks Got More Control Of The Nation Same With The World Wars

[@garethaustin6049]

@@sirace8352 if your American you have no right to include yourself in the First World War and in the Second World War it was similar you waited to see which way it was going. My family left Virginia after the civil war our plantation given to carpet baggers from the north. Any person north of the Mason is trash.

[@MayoFilms83]

I think the Confederate officers had the best uniforms of the civil war. Union was just to basic.

[@WestTNConfed]

It's figurative to me. It represents how they waged the war. Confederate officer uniforms: exotic, represents militaristic/aristocratic culture, carefully designed, and prideful. Union officers uniform: basic, uniform, not a lot of variation, mass made to get the job done. Confederate strategy: audacity, conserve manpower, and break the Union morale. Union strategy: end the war by whatever means, use mass industry, manpower, and navy, fight with attrition, not with risk (audacity).

[@phillipdavis3053]

5th Georgia's Company A. "Clinch Rifles," are still my favorite uniform. The green with the gold just looks right to me.

[@The_Red_Off_Road]

7th and 18th MS. My uncle was a LT in the Mississippi College Rifles. That’s all that I’ve been able to find. I know of many but those are the only two I can positively say for sure. Thank you for the info. You’ve got a new subscriber!

[@CivilWarDigitalDigest]

Welcome! Hope we’ve helped you forge a closer connection to your ancestor.

[@The_Red_Off_Road]

@@CivilWarDigitalDigest you most certainly have. Been doing a bit of research lately and i can say for sure that History is a journey and I love to travel. I’ll be at Shiloh this April. I want to see it when the trees are in bloom.

[@freekorpsroman1071]

I was recently suprised to find that the Finnish Army of WW2 had a uniform--rather German/Austrian in appearance that was grey colored and their rank insignia were also worn on the collar (Branch insigs were worn on the shoulders. I agree that their headgear the field cap with the leather chinstrap and the Austrian inspired "blood scoop" visored field cap bore no resemblance to the French-inspired kepi of the 1860s. But from all of the illustrations of the Finnish uniforms of WW2, they are suggestive of how the Confederate Army could have evolved beyond 1861-65 and into the 20th Century

[@Svea_LifeGuards]

Same thing with the Swedish Army Hungarian Army and the Norwegian Army before the war basically wore World War 1 error Austrian uniforms the Hungarian army war German style uniforms in Brown and the Swedish War German style tunics but with pockets on the back

[@Civilwar.relics]

I'm about to get a rare Irish jasper greens confederate button, has the spread wing eagle with the Irish harp down below. Across the top it has the letters "IJG" for Irish Jasper Greens. The button has color all over with the gold in just the right places to make the detail stand out. The back of the button has the museum quality replacement shank intact as well as the Benedict & Burnham maker's marking. The marking is in the ribbon with the eagle between the ribbon ends, the Irish jasper greens originally had blue uniforms but switched over to the confederate gray after a little time, I have a lot of buttons 4 rifleman but the Irish confederate one is the coolest ever

[@CivilWarDigitalDigest]

Cool piece of history to own! Congrats.

[@charlesmay8251]

Great episode! I've found two confederate ancestors so far, 52nd and 58th v:a infantry! I love what you gu y s are doing with the channel!

[@thomasreaves588]

How many Black people did your ancestors enslave?

[@jarrettm2595]

Another informative and well done video. Thanks Civil War Digital Digest!

[@TheSteve2305]

Shout out for my early war Tarheels. We were the best dressed with our frock style uniform coats.

[@jollyjohnthepirate3168]

The Confederate army usually wore rags. The Southern governments simply couldn't afford to cloth, equip or even feed their officers or men. Still outstanding content.

[@jumpmaster82nd.]

Not really true at all.

[@kevinbarrow5396]

​@@jumpmaster82nd.Oh yeah the anaconda plan begs to differ!

[@Rhett_Kierbow]

I had a lot of family In Both army’s and that’s why I love this part of history the most too learn about

[@CrossTimbersSon]

It’s interesting that most of the commanding officers had served right along side of the federalist and many had even went to West Point together. I wonder if the changes in uniforms were made to confuse the union forces from a distance, if that were possible.

[@steventhorson4487]

Excellent work!!

[@CivilWarDigitalDigest]

Thank you!!

[@gordonmiller4439]

Thanks, Lt. Commander Roscoe!

[@EdgarStyles1234]

Could you do a video on Canadians (or just foreigners in general) who fought for both the CSA and the USA as volunteers?

[@CivilWarDigitalDigest]

Interesting concept!! We will chat on it. Thanks!!

[@EdgarStyles1234]

@@CivilWarDigitalDigest thank you

[@teresaacedo5914]

Fantástico! Thanks a lot

[@GrangerGangster]

A point that I think should be made is that in the case of either army, officers had to supply (buy) their own uniforms, as is still the case today, so what ends up seen in images and in extant examples is what they could afford. Yes, they got paid more, but it’s interesting in how many modified or as-issued enlisted garments are attributed to Confederate officers, because later in the war, they actually authorized the sale of enlisted garments to officers, unlike in the U.S. Army at the same time.

[@Number6_]

Thank you for that I had wondered where the confederacy got their style. It is more from the German with their own flourishes, while the us is more from the British.

[@SMidberg]

The french uniform where in fashion and copied at that time . The braidins , the kepi, ( where the name cap is still used) the zouavestyle are of french origin.

[@genusrosaceous]

I would have liked to have seen images/pictures for everything being described.

[@snappers_antique_firearms]

I am a descendant of. Gen John Bell Hood. Would love to replicate his uniform

[@savanahmclary4465]

Love John Bell Hood. GREAT MAN.

[@snappers_antique_firearms]

@@savanahmclary4465 thank you

[@cassiesews]

Thank you for your research and information on this. so interesting.

[@motorTranz]

Fascinating information! Thank you!

[@JohnnyButtons]

Nice CW rank/insignia rundown.

[@joanofarc1338]

Hey Andy Enjoyed the video very much. Anyone who wears a sharp gig line while wearing civi’s as do you, has to be a present or former G.I. It’s a dead giveaway amongst us vets. Ya look terrific!

[@joeavent5554]

I observed that our host is wearing a gig line. A gig line is almost never seen whilst wearing civilian clothing.

[@richarddick1842]

Thank you for another great video

[@robertcole9391]

Yes, many variations or mostly because of blockades. So if they didn't have all the correct colors, they would often be made from the same piece. Then there are State issued uniforms. Florida for example. Gray top, gray pants. Not skyblue. And when you see a Florida unit doing their own thing because they didn't like what was historically correct. They change it. That's teaching a false history. And the information is availible at the Florida State Museum in Tallahassee. Just amazes me. But to further complicate the original uniforms, if none availible, then they would often use the comuntation system where a uniform was home spun and again color variations. Thanks for the informative video. There isn't much info out there for the Confederat Reenactor other than the 1861 Uniform Regulations or very expensive books.

[@smelton7]

Good show.

[@salsheikh4508]

Soo good I have to watch it twice...

[@blessed_are_the_believers]

The Confederates also wear the Hardee hats as well.

[@CivilWarDigitalDigest]

We are not referring to what was done in the field. We are referring to the regulation would have been.

[@Helltanz98]

Cool video, might want to have started after the intro music had fully died off it kind overlapped. [Obviously it wasn't an issue it just kind of ran together before the music quieted.]

[@Jagdtyger2A]

I always found it odd that the Confederacy went directly from collar bars to collar stars and skipped the oak leaf entirely. I felt that by using one oak leaf for Major, two for Lt Colonel and three for full Colonel would make differentiating between the higher ranks easier

[@kimjongun1348]

They put the oak leaf for the universal general insignia, which was probably better at the time to distinguish the generals from the field and company grade officers.

[@6omega2]

I never knew the CSA had that level of standardization. Previously I would have thought the uniforms reflected more of an eclectic mix of the individual state militias.

[@CivilWarDigitalDigest]

They sure did not. This is what the regulation prescribed. As Andy noted, this gives you a place to refer to when you look at something and it is not typical.

[@kooolainebulger8117]

thanks, this will go well to help me in my confederate reenactment uniform, although if you know of any artillery regiment specific stuff that would be much appreciated

[@rc59191]

I think the Confederate Army were the first ones to use the Specialist and Colour Sergeant ranks here.

[@docaro1770]

Awesome

[@CivilWarDigitalDigest]

Thank you! And we are thrilled for permission from Heritage Auctions to use images from their files. It makes this so much better!!

[@elainecury2862]

Good Vídeo

[@ThompPL1]

Decentralized vs. Centralized Power paradigms ?

[@micpin6810]

4:02 - Is that a confederate general uniform on the right?? What is that colour??

[@powellmountainmike8853]

Many of the uniforms worn by Confederate soldiers, both officers and enlisted, were home made by the family of the soldier, and so reflected the taste of the soldier and his family. One must remember that the Confederate forces were beset by supply issues from the outset, and so could not afford to reject the uniforms of their troops made with love and devotion by their loved ones. Besides being a logistical problem, it would have caused a morale nightmare. (I know these thing because I am a relative of Confederate soldiers, one a very distinguished colonel who was wounded in action and went on to be quartermaster general of the Confederate Army. I have heard these tings from my grandparents who knew these men, and my father who also knew a few very elderly men who were veterans of The War Of Northern Aggression. I am an old man myself now, and proudly consider myself an UNRECONSTRUCTED Confederate.)

[@paulgiarmo3628]

@ Powell Mountain Mike. You mean the "War of Southern Aggression ". Ever hear of the attack on Fort Sumter?

[@powellmountainmike8853]

@@paulgiarmo3628 The Yankee troops stationed in Fort Sumter were asked repeatedly to vacate the fort, but had been ordered by Lincoln to remain. The Confederates had promised them safe passage to the Union, but they refused to go. Instead they acted as a blockade to Charleston harbor, one of the main harbors of the South. This was done to provoke the Southern troops into having to remove them by force, giving the North their casus belli. It was this act by LINCOLN, the blocking of trade to Charleston harbor that was the actual first act of war against the South. Your comment here just shows your ignorance of facts and your brainwashing by Yankee propaganda.

[@paulgiarmo3628]

@@powellmountainmike8853 The Union troops stationed at Fort Sumter, a Federal installation, took their orders from Wahington, not from an illegal "government". The insurrectionists fired on the U.S. Navy ship sent to resupply the fort's garrison, clearly a hostile act meant to provoke hostilities. Based upon the above-mentioned facts, I Respectfully ask that you reconsider YOUR opinions about who really was the aggressor in this war and your flawed, "lost-cause" idealogy.

[@powellmountainmike8853]

@@paulgiarmo3628 The very fact that the U. S. sent a Navy ship into South Carolina waters was an act of provocation. You cannot accept the fact that South Carolina had the right to leave the Union.I will not submit to your Yankee delusions, nor tyranny.. I am an UNRECONSTRUCTED Confederate, and damned proud of it. I believe in STATES' RIGHTS, and that any state has the right to leave a nation which ignores its Constitution. This is a question which is as pertinent today as it was in 1860, and may well end in the same kind of conflict.

[@paulgiarmo3628]

@@powellmountainmike8853 The United States has the right, at all times, to resupply its troops and garrison, regardless of some rogue "government's" permission or lack thereof. Firing on that ship was the first act of war, and the Rebels knew it. They knew it was an act of provocation, meant to incite hostilities. Of the 11 states that formed the Confederacy, ( not 13 as claimed on their battle flag); only South Carolina did not furnish troops to fight for the Union cause. Plenty of delusional propaganda down there in Charleston . Let us celebrate the blessings of this great country, the UNITED States of America, today on the 4th of July.

[@bradycole3563]

Where would you buy a Confederate uniform?

[@jonathanwilliams1065]

I’d like to know too I want to get involved in re-enacting but I’m not sure how And for the last 2 years I haven’t had the chance to do anything at all for reasons obvious to anybody who hasn’t just gotten out of a coma

[@BenFaffler]

For starting out try C & C Sutlery. Very well made and very affordable!

[@thomasreaves588]

@@BenFaffler Does C&C Sutlery sell Klu Klux Klan gowns and hoods to? I am having the darnest time finding one. My last gown accidentally caught on fire at our last rally.

[@kuriboh635]

@@thomasreaves588 I don't know if you're just trying to be funny but it definitely wasn't. One they don't just sell confederate uniforms they do sell federal and indian was stuff as well as cowboy action shooting gear too. They are a great company to do business with and I always recommend them even for non renactors, I've got a few things in my camping gear from them even. Not everyone who wants to reenact one side or the other doesn't make them racist. Someone needs yo play the bad guys otherwisewhy reeact. also the US department of veterans affairs counts confederate service as a legitimate form of us military service but it's a moot point sice no civil war vets are still alive

[@kuriboh635]

I do second c&c sutlery. I use one of their canteens when I'm working outside. But the budget confederate artillery jacket I have is great.

[@grandadmiralzaarin4962]

What about the Confederate Naval Officer uniforms?

[@jacobbush5583]

One thing you missed is confederate officers do have State buttons and muffin state buttons on their uniforms as well as federal staff muffins and officers buttons. Looked at a bunch of original CS Officer uniforms and made a bunch for the hobby. Col. John S Mosbys shell jacket has Federal Cav C buttons on it and it’s at the National Museum of history in DC.

[@CivilWarDigitalDigest]

It wasn’t missed. We spoke to what the regulation uniform was to be. There are a lot of both you mention, but they are non-regulation.

[@logandavis7365]

I've never seen the R button before! What specific regiments or areas had that?

[@BenFaffler]

Thank you so much!

[@CivilWarDigitalDigest]

Enjoy!!!

[@tophercaesar5375]

Why did they only have one insignia for generals?

[@johnsmithSongbird]

This dark grey looked good But could cause problems without the confederate flag. The union wore dark blue Or black

[@dickridenhour]

Uniformity was a luxury that the confederacy didn't have. Most officer uniforms were custom and purchased by the officer or family. The ranks that is interesting how they differ.

[@CivilWarDigitalDigest]

Actually, there are plenty of images of men who used the regulations to have their uniforms built.

[@dickridenhour]

@@CivilWarDigitalDigest No disagreement. They definitely did have regulations and followed them. My point only since they bought vs issued they customized the braiding etc.

[@CivilWarDigitalDigest]

Definitely! Then they were also the individual state uniform regulations to take into account as well. Glad you enjoyed!

[@oneshot2028]

5:09 - What is the colour called???

[@mannywilliams6409]

I think they were muted due to the fact that unlike Europeans. Americans had a history of shooting officers dating back to the revolution.

[@nikhtose]

Interesting. I note that Gen. Lee is always pictured wearing the colonel's three stars, without the general's cluster. Was this just faux modesty, given his outsized authority and easy recognition as top commander?

[@savanahmclary4465]

Officers were regularly known to NOT wear their proper medals in case the enemy snipers could not identify them. Jeb Stuart was known to wear his beautiful hat with the large feather plum, is what got him killed by a sniper.

[@kimjongun1348]

Lee and Johnston wore colonel ranks due to their regular army rank before the war.

[@wdavis6814]

"Chicken Guts"

[@samwilkins2004]

It's so strange to see the uniforms of those who fought for slave Oligarchy.