Union Sack Coats

 

Descriptions of the Sack Coat from the
US Dress Regulations of 1861

 

Enlisted
Sack Coat
(Fatigue Blouse) -
4 general service eagle buttons, fold over collar, one inside pocket, lined or unlined. Navy Blue wool.
1457. For Fatigue Purposes
--a sack coat of dark blue flannel extending half-way down the thigh, and made loose, without sleeve or body lining, falling collar, inside pocket on the left side, four coat buttons down the front.
1458. For Recruits--the sack coat will be made with sleeves and body lining, the latter of flannel.

description from 1858 dress regulations

Officers
Jr. Officer Sack Coat (lieutenants and Captains) -
Single breasted with 5 eagle buttons with “I”, “C”, or “A” in the shield, fold over, standup or civilian style collar, 3 outside pockets and 1 inside breast pocket. 3 small buttons (same style as stated above) on non functional cuffs. Optional velvet collar or collar and cuffs.

Sr. Officer Sack Coat (Magor, Lt Colonel, and Colonel) - Double breasted with 5 buttons in each row. Option of eagle  “I”, “C”, or “A” buttons or Staff Buttons, fold over, standup or civilian style collar, 3 outside pockets and 1 inside breast pocket. 3 small buttons (same style as selected above) on non functional cuffs. Optional velvet collar or collar and cuffs.

General Officer Sack Coat

Brigadier General - Double breasted with 8 buttons grouped by 2 in each row. Option of eagle “I”, “C” or “A” buttons or Staff buttons, fold over, standup or civilian style collar. 3 outside pockets and 1 inside breast pocket 3 small buttons (same style as selected above) on non functional cuffs. Optional velvet collar or collar and cuffs.

Major General - Double breasted with 9 buttons grouped by 3 in each row. Option of eagle “I”,”C”,”A” buttons or Staff buttons, fold over, standup or civilian style collar. 3 outside pockets and 1 inside breast pocket 3 small buttons (same style as selected above) on non functional cuffs. Optional velvet collar or collar and cuffs.

Description from revised regulations of 1861

Buttons - The button and configuration designate the rank and branch of service of the officer.
18...For General Officers and Officers of the General Staff - gilt, convex, with spread eagle and stars, and plain border; large size, seven - eighths of an inch in exterior diameter; small size one - half inch.
19...
For Officers of the Corps of Engineers - gilt, nine - tenths of an inch in exterior diameter, slightly convex; a. raised bright rim, one - thirtieth of an inch wide; device, an eagle holding in his beak a scroll, with the word "Essayons," a bastion with embrasures in the distance surrounded by water, with a rising sun - the figures to be of dead gold upon a bright field. Small buttons of the same form and device, and fifty - five hundredths of an inch in exterior diameter.
20...
States, occupying one - half the diameter, and the letters T. E. in old English characters the other half; small buttons, one - half inch diameter, device and form the same.
21...
For Officers of the Ordnance Department - gilt, convex, plain border, cross cannon and bombshell, with a circular scroll over and across the cannon, containing the words “Ordnance Corps:” large size, seven - eighths of an inch in exterior diameter; small size, one - half inch.
22...
For Officers of Artillery, Infantry, Riflemen, Cavalry, and Dragoons - gilt, convex; device, a spread eagle with the letter A, for Artillery - 1, for Infantry - R, for Riflemen - C, for Cavalry - D, for Dragoons, on the shield; large size, seven - eighths of an inch in exterior diameter; small size, one - half inch.
23...
Aides - de - camp may wear the button of the General Staff, or of their regiment or corps, at their option.  
24...
For all Enlisted Men - yellow, the same as is used by the Artillery, &c., omitting the letter in the shield.
                              

  Description from revised regulations of 1861