Confederate Militia Uniform Worn by Capt. Peyton N. Hale, Co. F "Grayson Dare Devils", 4th Virginia Inf., Killed in Action at First Bull Run. Heavy double breasted butternut wool tail coat with five button front, single cuff size button at each split cuff, one button at the top of each tail, one of which is missing. All buttons marked Gold Color Superior. Buttons are concave in the center with star in the middle. Cuff buttons bear a scroll motif but are one piece with no backmark. Coat with rolled collar and rather narrow sleeves, more reminiscent of the C. 1840 period. White cotton sleeve lining with and extra gray wool liner inside, making the coat double thickness. Coat in excellent untouched condition overall with just a few small worn areas. The trousers are somewhat unorthodox, utilizing brass rivet type buttons for suspenders and fly and painted composition buttons to close the pockets. Uniquely the trousers also exhibit a single hip pocket on the right side. White polished cotton waist lining and white cotton pocket lining. Rear pocket does not utilize a button. Belted back with V notch above. The two tine brass buckle is unmarked. Constructed of rather lightweight coarse weave wool with a 1" brown stripe actually woven into the trouser leg next to the seam. Cuff lining of very coarse linen. Trousers also excellent with some minor mothing and a few holes.The butternut gray wool kepi stands just over 4 1/2" high at the front. Thick, and rather large, tarred leather visor, 1/2" tarred leather chinstrap, with elaborate stamped brass adjusting buckle. The side buttons are nearly flat and are fastened with spread brass strips rather than an eye. Very nice condition with just some worn areas at the back and the lower portion of the back seam has been resewn, obviously long ago. The hat uses a stiffening ring around the crown to hold its form, else the crown is unlined but shows the remains of a paper label that appears to incorporate the Virginia state seal. The hat shows no signs of ever having had a sweatband, with a large, loose black silk bag type liner. 1 1/2" high numeral 4 attached at the front of the crown with wire loops.Purchased by the consignor from direct lineal descendants in Cupper, VA. and accompanied by appropriate paper work.The 4th Virginia Infantry was part of the 'Stonewall Brigade' and is credited, at 1st Manassas with having created the "Rebel Yell", during an attack ordered by Jackson, supported by Colonel Thomas Preston and the 27th Virginia.Historically a remarkable Confederate uniform, and exemplary of what many southern, especially Virginia, troops wore into the field in that first battle that was, of course, supposed to end the war. 
love it, Jon. where is this right now--looks like maybe an auction? or is that an old auction notice, somewhere on the web?
ReplyDeleteTom sent me the link. It was a notice from a closed auction, the items did not sell.
ReplyDeleteMy ggg-grandfather F.O. Miller enl '61 and served in the 4th with Hale. Wounded in 64 and taken PWR at Resaca. Interesting to see what uniform he might have worn. Sad so many were lost.
ReplyDeleteOne of our team mates has several ancestors in the original 4th. Perhaps you're related?
DeleteFranklin Miller's daughter Amanda was my great grandmother. My family names include Miller, Jones, Meredith, Buck, Rose and others all the way back to the revolution...and some who were there long before the old "paths" became wagon roads. I never lived there but would love to talk to someone who might have at one time. Franklin's application for pension names other related families...including Hale and Sage.
DeleteMy Great Grandpa, Thomas Cloyd Craig was in Company C of the 4th Virginia Infantry. He joined at the age of 18, on April 17,1861.
ReplyDeleteHe went on many bloody, bloody campaigns and had a miniball rip through his shoulder that he considered "none too mini" was imprisoned, furloughed, only to find that he had been mistakenly demoted as a deserter. He rejoined the 25th Va. Cavalry which disbanded in April 1865.
He arrived in Pulaski, Va. exactly four years, April 17, from the day he left.
He slept in the barn with his horse he rode and a pistol, to deter other returning vets from stealing it, and hooked it to a plough.
After his injury, he could always tell when it was going to rain and kept his arm in a sling.
The following year, he went to medical school, then interned in his father's practice, Dr. Robert McNealy Craig.
Dr. Thomas Cloyd Craig set up practice in Easton, Kansas and had three children: David, Jesse Law, and my grandmother, Lucinda.
It was for the love of my grandmother that the "wild look" left great grandpa - though grandma said "He held Robert E. Lee right up next to Christ".