Post by vtsaogames on Jul 18, 2019 20:27:24 GMT
Butternut had at least two sources: home-brew dyes and non-colorfast uniforms that faded to brown under the sun. The Louisiana Tiger Zouaves (from New Orleans) were issued dark blue coats that turned red brown in short order. In 1864 a fairly colorfast grey dye was developed in the Confederacy. It was a dark grey. A unit clad thus was mistaken for Union troops at the battle of the Wilderness. The ensuing screw up saw Longstreet badly wounded and one of his division commanders killed by Confederate bullets. This may have been what saved the Union II Corps from complete rout. Or the Confederates rolled 1 on the pip dice. Late war Confederates would be more likely to be in grey, though I've not seen anyone paint such an army. For both sides, eastern armies were more likely to be close to regulation. Eastern soldiers remarked that western Union troops looked more like rebels. They often wore slouch hats rather than kepis and were generally shabbier than the eastern "paper-collar" troops.
Do recall that the Confederacy produced many agricultural products but had weak industry. Industry was booming in the north (one of the things causing friction between the sections, along with the peculiar institution of owning people).
Our CSA armies were painted thus. 1/3 had near regulation grey uniforms (recent clothing issues through the blockade), 1/3 had a mix of brown and grey (some clothes wearing out) and 1/3 were in brown/tan/scraps of captured Union gear).
Do recall that the Confederacy produced many agricultural products but had weak industry. Industry was booming in the north (one of the things causing friction between the sections, along with the peculiar institution of owning people).
Our CSA armies were painted thus. 1/3 had near regulation grey uniforms (recent clothing issues through the blockade), 1/3 had a mix of brown and grey (some clothes wearing out) and 1/3 were in brown/tan/scraps of captured Union gear).