"Troops for 15th Alabama" Topic

I want to get some figures to portray the 15th Alabama in a small dio and as there are no figures sculpted to represent them.I sent for OG's 20th Maine set but need Confederates that were dressed like the 15th were at Gettysburg.Any advice would be appreciated. 28mm is what I want.
Mark

What was distinctive about the 15th Alabama's clothing that set them apart from other Confederate infantry?

Well I don't know if they were in uniforms,frock coats,shell jackets,civilian clothes.I have no real idea. I doubt they were in coats or jackets in July ha ha.
Mark

I believe that by mid-1863 the vast majority of troops of the Army of Northern Virginia would be wearing shell jackets issued from the Richmond depots. Officers might be in privately-purchased frock coats. The ANV was, for the most part, well-supplied with clothing so civilian coats would be a distinct minority (although troops coming back to the army from leave, exchanged as prisoners, etc. might have missed their unit's last issue). I think in absence of any positive contrary information, you're perfectly safe in using standard midwar Confederate infantry for Law's brigade.

And it's doubtful they went into battle in shirtsleeves, although many of them probably had all but the top button of the jacket unbuttoned. Art and photographs of the period rarely show shirtsleeve order, particularly as Hood's men went straight into the attack from the march and had no chance and no place to store any gear.

Not sure why this was posted to the 18th Century board?

Yes I didn't crosspost there.
Mark

Two surviving shell jackets worn by Alabama troops in the ANV (neither from the 15th) are steel grey, with standing collars and epaulettes. One jacket has black pointed cuffs, epaulettes, and collar, while those on the other are steel grey.

Alabama being a State regiment received most of their supplies from Alabama not the Richmond warehouse which was for Virginia and Confederate regiments. Though Alabama may have bought some Richmond stock to issue.
Recruits and retreads, men recovering from wounds, received new uniforms at their muster camps before they moved to the front.

FYI from our article on Alabama regiments origins and nicknames, the 7th was not a regional unit in 1861. Companies were mostly from east Alabama including Cherokee- C later-transferred to the 48th as cadre, Madison-D, Chambers-A, Calhoun-B, Lauderdale-K and Mobile-E. The nicknames were two Rifles, two Greys and two guards.

Sorry those were companies for the 7th. Companies for the 15th in 1861 were from Barbour B, J, K; Pike I, F, L; Dale E; Henry G; A and D we're composite from several towns. Nicknames five Guards, Roughs, Sharpshooters, Pioneers, Rifles and the Eufala Zouaves.

Apart from questioning whether the Richmond depot only supplied Virginia and (the miniscule number of) Confederate "regulars", all of the CSA depots produced shell jackets in various shades of grey so the diorama figures would look the same whether the depot was Richmond, Atlanta, Columbus, Mobile, etc.

So figures in shell jackets would be best or a mixture?
I've been looking at this painting that's why I ask? link
Mark

Buy Sash and Saber and add some OG 2nd Generation Rebs for greater variety.

Don

Having the 15th Alabama dressed in a variety of short jackets with a few frock coats and blouses mixed in is a safe bet for ANV in 1863. I would paint most of the jackets gray with a few brown and tan mixed in. Trousers same deal, lot's of plain gray with some browns and tans mixed in. Hats as well, a fair number of black felt hats for sure, some gray or brown felt hats, and some gray caps thrown in for good measure.

Accouterments would be a mix of captured federal issue stuff, namely black haversacks, tan or brownish canteen covers, both cloth and leather canteen straps, and black cartridge boxes and bayonet scabbards.

Mix in with that some white and off-white haversacks, some russet brown cartridge boxes, waist belts and bayonet scabbards, and you're good to go.

Finally lots of captured federal issue woolen and rubber blankets which would be tan or brown and black respectively, mixed with various civilian blankets or substitute quilts all of variety of colors.