Lazy Jacks Mess - Confederate Buttons

Confederate Infantry and General Issue Buttons: find distributions and modern reproductions

In becoming increasingly involved in collecting Civil War Buttons, I have noticed numerous deficiencies not only in the range of such buttons available to Living Historians, but also misapplications of these buttons by living historians themselves. As we become increasingly knowledgeable about the cut and cloth of the jackets we wear, it is important that we do not ignore the correctness and appropriateness of the buttons we sew onto them. This article will be the first of several which will review this situation (and the products of a number of modem manufacturers).

Most of the information provided is derived from Warren Tice's definitive Uniform Buttons of the United Stales 1776-1865. Other information is drawn from back issues of North South Trader's Civil War, Charles Harris's Civil War Relics of the Western Campaigns, and from numerous Civil War Relic dealer websites (most importantly that of the 'Relicman' -- Harry Ridgeway).

While many Confederate Infantrymen availed themselves of captured Union Eagles or civilian 'coin' or 'flat' buttons, and state-issue buttons; a significant number used Confederate issue Infantry buttons. As such, correct versions of them should be regularly encountered on the uniforms of living historians. As a general rule, Confederate (non-state) buttons only seem to become commonly encountered after Spring 1862. Such early finds are invariably 'locally' made cast (one-piece) or stamped (two-piece), with British two-piece import buttons appearing 'in the field' late 1863. This should be born in mind when selecting buttons for your jackets. For early war (1861 to Spring 1862) it is best to stick with coin buttons, US Eagles, or state buttons. From Spring 1862 onwards use, with discretion, a few types of the buttons listed below in addition to the aforesaid buttons. By Winter 1863/64 an increasing variety of Confederate issue buttons become common in Confederate camp areas and battle sites.

Description: Solid, medium width block 'I' on a plain field. Typical examples (usually of yellow brass) have a slightly raised rim, 'puffed' rim examples (usually of red brass) seem to be a Western variant. Brass/copper backs occur on Virginia made locals, while tin and iron backs occur in all theaters. Backs were usually not marked, although brass examples often had some variation of "E.M. Lewis & Co. Richmond VA."

Makers: Various, probably throughout the Confederacy, though brass/copper backed examples were made by E.M. Lewis (Richmond) who also manufactured other block letter branch of service buttons. Many buttons manufactured by Lewis were not backmarked.

Finds Distribution: Antietam, MD Sept. 1862 battle site (brass backs); Grenada, MS 1862/1863 camp sites (normal type); Shelbyville, TN early 1863 campsites (normal type); Gettysburg, PA July 1863 battle site (brass backs); Bayou Bourbeau, LA Nov. 1863 battle site; Dalton, GA 1863/1864 winter camps (both "puffed" rim and normal types), Knoxville, Tenn. Winter 1863-1864 Longstreet's siege lines and winter camps (both "puffed" rim and normal types); Atlanta Campaign areas Spring-Summer 1864 (both "puffed" rim and normal types); Franklin, TN Nov. 1864 battle site (both "puffed" rim and normal types), Petersburg, VA 1864/1865 siege lines (iron & brass backs);

Modern Reproductions: Only brass backed, yellow brass, typical rimmed (non-puffed) varieties are available today from 'Sutlers row'. There are a variety of shank types on these that are either squeezed-off or broadened as they near junction with the button back -- surprisingly both types of shanks actually existed. To my knowledge there is no particular Sutlers variety that comes in for special recommendation.

Applications: One of the two most common Confederate issue buttons. The easily available brass backed varieties from 'Sutlers row' are useful for any ANV impressions from mid-1862 onwards,

though late war jackets should preferentially use one of the imported lined or script 'I's (listed below).

do not know of any Western recoveries of brass backed Blocks I's. Also I know of no 'puffed rim' (a.k.a. 'Western Block I') reproductions. Thus for the purist, until proper tin or iron backed block I's become available, cast I's (listed below) should be used for mid-war Western & Trans-Miss impressions.

Description: 'I' with fine horizontal lines in its interior on a plain field, relatively thin and flat rim. All had brass backs which were either blank or had a variety of makers marks -- especially "Superior Quality" , "Treble Rich Standard" and "SKW Extra Rich."

Dimensions: Coat size (23mm diameter), cuff sizes (13mm and 16mm diameter), Tait Jacket variety (19mm)

Makers: Produced in massive quantities by Smith, Kemp, & Wright of Birmingham, England, a slightly smaller variety was also contracted for by P. Tait & Co. of Ireland for exclusive use on their jackets.

Finds Distribution: Bayou Bourbeau, LA Nov. 1863 battle site; Virginia 1863/1864 ANV winter camps; Dalton & Tunnel Hill, GA 1863/1864 winter camps; Millican, TX 1863-65 camp sites; Wilderness, VA May 1864 campaign area; Atlanta Campaign areas Spring-Summer 1864; Petersburg, VA 1864/1865 siege lines; North & South Carolina sites of the 1865 campaign

Modem Reproductions: Charlie Childs (County Cloth) has excellent reproductions available from time to time, coat size only (they are manufactured for him by contract in Thailand!). When he has them, snap them up!

Applications: One of the two obvious choices to go on your Tait jacket (the other being the script I, listed below), though only a portion of such buttons were attached to import jackets. Indeed, it is likely that British-made branch of service buttons were bulk imported from mid to late 1863 onwards. Certainly their use on depot uniforms is attested --take for example the surviving 'Weller' Columbus Depot jacket (made c. 1864) which has script I's on as the original buttons.

Description: Manuscript-style 'Olde English' I (I) with horizontal lines on the interior set on a plain field, relatively flat rim. There were two types of script used: ornate with manuscript scrolls filling most of the field (either blank or with "Halfmann & Taylor/ Montgomery" backmarks); and a typical 'Olde English' I (mostly with Courtney & Tennent or S. Isaacs Campbell backmarks, and rarer examples with "P.Tait" or no backmarks).

Dimensions: Coat size (22-23mm diameter), 'Vest size' (18-19 mm diameter), and Cuff Size (13mm)

Makers: Despite the varying backmarks, Tice's research indicates that all were in fact made by Smith, Kemp & Wright of Birmingham (under contract).

Finds Distribution: Dalton & Tunnel Hill, GA 1863/1864 winter camps; Knoxville, Tenn. Winter 1863-1864 Longstreet's siege lines and winter camps; Virginia 1863/1864 ANV winter camps; Wilderness, VA May 1864 campaign area; Atlanta Campaign areas Spring-Summer 1864; Petersburg, VA 1864/1865 siege lines; Fort Fisher, NC 1864/1865; North & South Carolina sites of the 1865 campaign

Modem Reproductions: An outstanding reproduction of the typical 'Olde English' script type (coat size) is usually available from Ben Tart -- they are well worth having on your late war uniform.

Description: Solid, medium block 'I' with three stars down its center on a field surrounded by 10 stars. Two piece with a tinned back and copper shank. No backmarks.

Modern Reproductions: Hanover Brass makes a cast version which should be avoided -- simply because cast versions of this button never existed. I am unaware of any proper two-piece reproductions.

Description: The letters 'C.S.A' with interior horizontal lines on a plain field, relatively flat rim. Most common backmark is "Superior Quality." French-made varieties probably postdate the Civil War.

Makers: British made varieties were probably made by Smith, Kemp & Wright of Birmingham (under contract).

Finds Distribution: Gulf Coast of Texas, late 1863-1865 camp sites; North & South Carolina sites of the 1865 campaign; otherwise rarely found except in undug condition

Modern Reproductions: This button has been a plague on the unwary for decades. Available from just about every mainstream Sutler on the globe.

Applications: Avoid them like the plague -- unless you are doing a Texas coastal garrison impression or very late war ANV, AT impressions, and even then I would think twice.

Description: Broad, solid block I on a plain field, with narrow turned rim. Most were cast from bronze (red brass), though brass (yellow brass) examples exist. The back features an integral drilled shank. No backmarks.

Makers: Various, though it is speculated by Tice that the bulk were made in Tuscaloosa, Alabama. Given there predominantly Western distribution, this would make sense.

Finds Distribution: Corinth, MS c.1862; various sites in Central Virginia c.1862-1863; Millican, TX 1863-65 camp sites; Dalton & Tunnel Hill, GA 1863/1864 winter camps; Atlanta Campaign areas Spring-Summer 1864; Franklin, TN Nov. 1864 battle site; Nashville Nov./Dec. 1864 siege lines; North & South Carolina sites of the 1865 campaign

Modem Reproductions: Hanover Brass makes beautiful cast block I's in both red and yellow brass (specify when you order). Red brass cast I's were more common and should be selected. Hanover also makes a cuff button size -- but originals of this size are not documented. All of these buttons go at $2.95 a pop. Jon Eggleston informs me that Grand Illusions in Gettysburg is now selling cast I's by an unknown manufacturer at $1 each.

Applications: One of the two most common Confederate issue buttons. They are recovered from all theaters of the war, though it is clear from the sheer numbers dug out of the Western Theater that this button was dominant in the Army of Tennessee. It is a perfectly acceptable option for a mid war ANV impression but they should not be common in any unit. However, this is the button par excellence for Army of Tennessee impressions, and cast block I's are documented on one of the eight surviving Columbus Depot jackets.

Description: Broad, solid Block I on a plain field with varying rim sizes. Cast in white metal (pewter or white bronze). Backs featured either soldered copper loop shanks or integral cast shanks.

Makers: Various, probably in South Carolina and also somewhere in the Western theater of war.

Finds Distribution: Murfreesburo, TN c. 1863-1864?; ; Dalton & Tunnel Hill, GA 1863/1864 winter camps; Cold Harbor, VA June 1864; Petersburg, VA 1864/1865 siege lines; South Carolina camps 1864/1865

Modern Reproductions: Reproductions 'pop up' at times from various US and British Sutlers, though I have not seen any for sale lately in the UK.

Applications: Surprisingly widespread both East and West, and worth being depicted in late war impressions in both theaters.

Description: Medium, solid block I on a field with horizontal lines and a thick rounded rim. Cast out of yellow brass with an integral shank. Backmarks are either blank or "T. Miller, Houston"

Description: Cast from a typical Olde English Script I button of the type described above, cast in either lead or brass. Integral shank.

Modern Reproductions: Hanover Brass does a good copy of this type in both yellow or red brass.

Applications: Fairly rare late war copies of the British import Script I, present only in the West. Probably not common enough to merit representation.

Description: The solid letters 'C.S.A' on a plain field, relatively flat rim. Backs feature either integral or soldered loop shanks. A variety of metals were used. No backmarks.

Finds Distribution: Knoxville, Tenn. Winter 1863-1864 Longstreet's siege lines and winter camps; Dalton & Tunnel Hill, GA 1863/1864 winter camps; Petersburg, VA 1864/1865 siege lines

Modern Reproductions: Hanover Brass does an excellent copy of this type in both yellow or red brass.

Applications: It would be nice to see a few of these being used in the UK on late RD II's and RD III's as well as on some late war Western jackets.

As I have spoken with dealers and continued monitoring the sales pages, it has become increasingly apparent that these really are Western (and Trans-Miss) theatre buttons and NOT appropriate for the East. According to Harry Ridgeway, America's foremost ACW button & buckle dealer, the small quantity of cast I's that appear in the East are probably attributable to garments brought by Longstreet's Corps returning from the West in Spring 1864 -- certainly no Eastern finds pre-date this time, while those in the west go back to the time of the Confederacy's occupation of Corinth, MS (ca. May 1862). It is still supposed that the centre of manufacture for Cast Block I's was in Alabama.

These buttons, often associated in peoples' minds with Tait jackets, have a much longer history than we think. I am becoming increasingly convinced that they, like the lined I's, were imported from early 1863 onwards and were in full Confederate use in the East and the West by mid-1863. The two most important pieces of evidence are a Script I recovered near Gettysburg and currently offered for sale by Ridgeway (S. Isaacs Campbell backmark), and a Script I (no backmark) in my own collection recovered (with regrets) from a Confederate field burial at Port Hudson (certainly issued no later than the beginning of the siege there in May 1863).

In this article I speculated that these were only made and issued in the East. However, I have recently seen two non-backmarked finds from Mississippi (Loring's Camp. Morton, MS) and Tennessee -- so they cannot be excluded from that theater, and may be more common than I thought.

Please note that the find distributions' listed above are not intended to be definitive. They are a work in progress and will be updated as more information becomes available to me.

Buttons From KC's Collection
Top Row:		Block I two-piece recovered from Bayou Bourbeau, LA
		Lined I two-piece recovered from Bayou Bourbeau, LA
		Script I two-piece recovered from Petersburg, VA
Bottom Row:		Block I one-piece recovered from Millicon, TX