IDENTIFIED CONFEDERATE SOUTH CAROLINA INFANTRY MAJOR’S UNIFORM FROCK COAT.

IDENTIFIED CONFEDERATE SOUTH CAROLINA INFANTRY MAJOR’S UNIFORM FROCK COAT. Authentic Confederate field grade officer’s frock coat identified to Maj. Robt. Jefferson Betsill of the 18th SC Vol. Regt. A detailed article on this coat and Maj. Betsill done by Andrew H. Lipps appears in the Christmas 1996, “North/South Trader”. The coat has been professionally conserved and restored by Lynn Lancaster Gorges. A full report with detailed photographs before and after also accompanies this lot. Also included are copies of various papers relating to Betsill and his service. It is dbl breasted made of gray wool with a 2/1 twill. The body is made up of 6-pcs, being the two front panels, two side back panels, and two back panels with two long skirts attached. There are 14 large 3-pc US staff officer buttons on the front, all of which are back marked ”Extra Quality” except for three back-marked “Horstmann Brothers & Co. Phil”. All of these buttons appear to be replacements. Four buttons remain at the waist and tail of the coat. All replacements, two are post war tin backs and two back marked “Extra Quality”. The front edge of both breasts have a welt of buff colored wool piping, which goes from the base of the collar to the waist on either side. Mounted on the collar are two gold bullion embroidered five-point stars on a black felt backing. These are replacements as well. The buttonholes are reinforced with gray wool so that no stitching shows. There is a dart on the right and left side of the waist running upwards into the body approx. 6”. The sleeves are of 1-pc with an inset spear-pointed widener from the cuff up to slightly above the elbow. The sleeves measure 9-1/2” at the elbow, 5-1/2” at the cuff. The collar is of the standing type made of 2-pc of the identical material as the coat. On the back of the coat, tail pockets are accessed from the outside and lined with unbleached cotton osnaburg. Piping is present on the rear tail split and on each of the pocket openings where the buttons are mounted. The interior of the coat is lined in a light brown jeans material. The breast is quilted with crude stitching in large rectangles. There is a breast pocket on the wearer’s left lined in unbleached white cotton osnaburg. Sleeve linings are the same as the pocket linings. The textile conservator has relined the tails from the waist to the hem with lightweight olive green wool, presumably to maintain its form and protect remnants of the orig lining. Remnants of the orig skirt lining are dark green polished cotton. This frock coat is sewn completely by hand, showing excellent and high quality workmanship. Letter of authentication by Jim Frasca, noted Confederate uniform authority, accompanies this lot. CONDITION: Good (restored). Coat suffered major losses, particularly on one side of the breast. Numerous holes in the sleeves, skirts, and back have been professionally conserved and backed with a similar appearing gray wool cloth. Buttons and rank insignia are modern replacements. Interior body lining is in tattered condition but about 90% present. Sleeve linings are tattered. Stitching is loose. Skirts have been relined with modern material. Piping on the front and back of coat is present but worn away in several areas. Coat is attributed to Major R.J. Betsill of the 18th South Carolina Infantry Regiment. This regiment was formed in Laurens County, and other areas of the northwestern part of South Carolina. The hard fought unit participated in the following engagements: Malvern Hill, Rappahannock Station, Second Bull Run, South Mountain, Antietam, Jackson, Charleston, Bermuda Hundred, Petersburg, The Crater, Fort Stedman, Five Forks, and Appomattox Court House. Major Betsil was wounded in action at the Battle of the Crater in Petersburg, Virginia. This authentic Confederate Major’s frock coat offers an excellent opportunity to obtain an attractive example of a field grade officer’s coat. The restoration on the coat has been sensitively done and it presents a well worn but attractive appearance. 4-56268 CW62 (40,000-60,000)

Auction: Firearms - Fall 2005

Please Note: All prices include the hammer price plus the buyer’s premium, which is paid by the buyer as part of the purchase price. The prices noted here after the auction are considered unofficial and do not become official until after the 46th day.

Image	Lot	Price	Description
	2255	$21,850.00	IDENTIFIED CONFEDERATE SOUTH CAROLINA INFANTRY MAJOR’S UNIFORM FROCK COAT. Authentic Confederate field grade officer’s frock coat identified to Maj. Robt. Jefferson Betsill of the 18th SC Vol. Regt. A detailed article on this coat and Maj. Betsill done by Andrew H. Lipps appears in the Christmas 1996, “North/South Trader”. The coat has been professionally conserved and restored by Lynn Lancaster Gorges. A full report with detailed photographs before and after also accompanies this lot. Also included are copies of various papers relating to Betsill and his service. It is dbl breasted made of gray wool with a 2/1 twill. The body is made up of 6-pcs, being the two front panels, two side back panels, and two back panels with two long skirts attached. There are 14 large 3-pc US staff officer buttons on the front, all of which are back marked ”Extra Quality” except for three back-marked “Horstmann Brothers & Co. Phil”. All of these buttons appear to be replacements. Four buttons remain at the waist and tail of the coat. All replacements, two are post war tin backs and two back marked “Extra Quality”. The front edge of both breasts have a welt of buff colored wool piping, which goes from the base of the collar to the waist on either side. Mounted on the collar are two gold bullion embroidered five-point stars on a black felt backing. These are replacements as well. The buttonholes are reinforced with gray wool so that no stitching shows. There is a dart on the right and left side of the waist running upwards into the body approx. 6”. The sleeves are of 1-pc with an inset spear-pointed widener from the cuff up to slightly above the elbow. The sleeves measure 9-1/2” at the elbow, 5-1/2” at the cuff. The collar is of the standing type made of 2-pc of the identical material as the coat. On the back of the coat, tail pockets are accessed from the outside and lined with unbleached cotton osnaburg. Piping is present on the rear tail split and on each of the pocket openings where the buttons are mounted. The interior of the coat is lined in a light brown jeans material. The breast is quilted with crude stitching in large rectangles. There is a breast pocket on the wearer’s left lined in unbleached white cotton osnaburg. Sleeve linings are the same as the pocket linings. The textile conservator has relined the tails from the waist to the hem with lightweight olive green wool, presumably to maintain its form and protect remnants of the orig lining. Remnants of the orig skirt lining are dark green polished cotton. This frock coat is sewn completely by hand, showing excellent and high quality workmanship. Letter of authentication by Jim Frasca, noted Confederate uniform authority, accompanies this lot. CONDITION: Good (restored). Coat suffered major losses, particularly on one side of the breast. Numerous holes in the sleeves, skirts, and back have been professionally conserved and backed with a similar appearing gray wool cloth. Buttons and rank insignia are modern replacements. Interior body lining is in tattered condition but about 90% present. Sleeve linings are tattered. Stitching is loose. Skirts have been relined with modern material. Piping on the front and back of coat is present but worn away in several areas. Coat is attributed to Major R.J. Betsill of the 18th South Carolina Infantry Regiment. This regiment was formed in Laurens County, and other areas of the northwestern part of South Carolina. The hard fought unit participated in the following engagements: Malvern Hill, Rappahannock Station, Second Bull Run, South Mountain, Antietam, Jackson, Charleston, Bermuda Hundred, Petersburg, The Crater, Fort Stedman, Five Forks, and Appomattox Court House. Major Betsil was wounded in action at the Battle of the Crater in Petersburg, Virginia. This authentic Confederate Major’s frock coat offers an excellent opportunity to obtain an attractive example of a field grade officer’s coat. The restoration on the coat has been sensitively done and it presents a well worn but attractive appearance. 4-56268 CW62 (40,000-60,000) Auction: Firearms - Fall 2005 Please Note: All prices include the hammer price plus the buyer’s premium, which is paid by the buyer as part of the purchase price. The prices noted here after the auction are considered unofficial and do not become official until after the 46th day.

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