This is an identified United Confederate Veterans reunion uniform from the late 1800's. The uniform belonged to Private Robert D Whiting, 2nd Texas Infantry Regiment. The 2nd Texas Infantry saw action at the Battle of Shiloh, Second battle of Corinth, Battle of Hatchie's Bridge, Battle of Snyder's Bluff and the Siege of Vicksburg. The regiment was cited for gallantry in action numerous times, and is most noted for it's defense of The Second Texas Lunette. This position was in the center of the Vicksburg defenses, and heavily bombarded and assaulted on 23 May, 1863. The uniform consists of a four button sack coat and trousers with blue piping along the seam. The four button coat/jacket is made more in the style of a frock coat than a plain sack coat. It is constructed of six panels of high quality gray wool material. There are four buttons on the single breasted opening. The four buttons on the front and two on the back are all marked as Confederate general service CSA buttons. Each sleeve has two cuff sized CSA buttons. All the buttons are back marked M.C. Lilley & CO. COLUMBUS O. Though there are no tags or makers stamps in the jacket anywhere, the high quality craftsmanship suggests that the jacket was manufactured by the Lilley Co. Mitchell Lilley founded his company in July 1867 in Columbus, Ohio, where he did business with the Odd Fellows Association in books. By 1874, military regalia had become the most prominent part of Lilley's business. The Lilley Company continued to manufacture military goods until the firm was taken over by C.E. Ward in 1951. The jacket is fully lined with a washed green cotton material. The sleeves are lined with a striped, cotton bed ticking material cloth. There are no exterior pockets, but there are two inner breast pockets and one more waist level pocket on the left side. There are a couple of spots of moth damage, one by the left shoulder, another on the left sleeve with a few small ones scattered around. The photo's show all the areas affected. This jacket was most definitely worn by the veteran. The linings on the sleeves are stained as well as a few areas on the outside of the jacket. It is still strong enough to be worn today. The trousers were made by Jacob Reed & Sons, a clothier in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. The pants have a bit more moth damage than the coat, mainly on the left pants leg below the crotch. There are some other scattered areas of moth damage, again all are noted in the photos. The buttons around the waist, used to attach suspenders, are brass and marked J. REED'S SONS PHILA with the exception of two. They are just plain tin buttons that have been japaned black.There are two mule eared pockets in the front, along with a watch pocket. There is one pocket on the right rear. The waist of the trousers are lined with white ticking material with blue stripes. A manufactures label is sewn into the right waist band that is ink stamped Order No/PANTS/JACOB REED"S SONS/Philadelphia. Hand written in period ink is the order no of 4017 the name RD WHITING and the size 28x34 1/2. Sewn on the outer seam of each trouser leg is a 1/2" dark blue stripe that runs from the corner of the pocket to the cuff. Here's an opportunity to pick up an authentic Confederate veterans reunion uniform from a hard fighting Texas veteran of the Civil War!

Item # AA2633

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