Civil War Invalid Corps Jacket

Civil War Invalid Corps Jacket


The invalid corps jacket was first prescribed by General Order 124 on May 15, 1863. It is made of sky blue kersey (a rough, course form of wool usually used for trousers and overcoats). It is longer in the skirt than a regulation shell jacket and has slits on the sides.



The jacket was unpopular with its wearers, as they did not like being distinguished from the front line troops. The fact that the Invalid Corps was abbreviated "IC" did not make its members happy either. This was the same designation stamped on condemned livestock and materials—"IC" being short for "Inspected, Condemned."

The jacket has one button on each side of the collar and none on the sleeves. This particular example has twelve buttons down the front. It is trimmed with dark blue worsted herringbone lace.

General Order 111, given March 18, 1864, changed the name to the Veteran's Reserve Corps. Personnel in this group included those unfit for full combat duty, but able to serve as guards, clerks, cooks, and nurses.

Wednesday, February 1, 2012

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http://www.qmmuseum.lee.army.mil/AOM_FEB_2012.html