I am hoping to create some new sprite mixes for Confederate regiments. I would like to have a few all in butternut or all in grey, as the rebel uniform situation did vary quite considerably from army to army and time to time. Longstreet’s corps at Chickamauga for example was apparently largely smartly dressed in new grey uniforms.
I am hoping it will be straightforward as all the individual sprites already exist. At the moment, there are 6 alternate Confederate graphics configurations for an infantry regiment. These all contain a mixture of uniforms, in different combinations of grey, butternut, blue and white shirts/tunics. What I want to do is adjust those combinations, if I can, so I get some regiments completely clothed in one colour. Any guidance on how to do this would be greatly appreciated.
I appreciate that my optimism may be due to a misunderstanding of the way things fit together. If so, no doubt someone here will set me right!
Martin
Hi Martin,
Fine game yesterday!
A uniform example, such as you refer to in Longstreet's Corps, would be the 7th SC who passed through Richmond on the way to the western army. They were issued new jackets and trousers. The majority of the jackets, if not all, were made of English cloth, also known as Blue-Grey Kersey. Here is a link to the most accurate reproduction available and which was the basis for our Living History demo at Chickamauga just a few years ago.
http://www.crchilds.com/Fabrics%20C.S.2011.html Notice the deep blue hue which from a distance appeared to be Union blue which, when coupled with the British made hospital trousers which closely resembled the Northern sky-blue kersey trouser, caused confusion on both sides of the line.
All butternut - remember there are as many shades of this cloth as there are fleas on a dog! Again, surf through Charlie's page of materials to see many variations. It would be more common to find different shades as well as material typs used in the construction of the trousers and jackets.
While speaking of uniforms in the game, the traditional "short" jacket worn by the Confederates is not well-represented - the "game jacket" is too long and more closely resembles the Union sack coat. Perhaps that is just a matter of game development and cannot be adjusted...remember, I am a computer illiterate!
Might add that a variety of colors in the blanket rolls would be a great addition as well as well as an increased usage of slouch (soft felt hats) and less of the kepi/bummer/forage cap for the Southern boys. Take a look at this site of the Western Independent Grays and note the number of slouch hats as our group marched at Chickamauga in 2007.
http://www.westernindependentgrays.org/ ... y.htmlEven though it is a modern event Living History photo, it depicts quite accurately Longstreet's Corp, 7th SC, at that battle. The research was done by a company member who is employed at a SC museum and has access to the originals.
And since you are much closer then I to a major manufacturer of Confederate unions, do a web search for Peter Tait and you will find the Irish were very "supportive" of the Southern cause (could that be an anti-English bias?) and furnished a very similar jacket, also made of a slightly different shade of BLue-Gray Kersey.
http://adolphusconfederateuniforms.com/
The list goes on and on and on. The many variations of colors and material have been well-documented and published in various sources such as Time-Life, the Museum of the Confederacy, etc. Wonderfullly detailed books that provide details beyond most folk's knowledge. For example, did you know that the Richmond Depot produced 3 variants of the Richmond Depot jacket, known in modern terms as RDI, RDII, and RDIII, each have similar construction but with varying details. RDII, for example, had plain, 1 piece epaulettes and two belt loops (no need for a cartridge box sling - box on a belt threaded through the belt loops held the jacket down and the belt up!) RDIII had no epaulettes. RDI had both epaulettes and belt loops with the front decorated with contrasting braid.
Anyway, do a web search and you find a myriad of detail on Confederate uniforms with photos of both originals and authentic reproductions!
J
Also need to add, restricting maps reserves ground for the Map/Battle Packs that keep the game fresh, for those that don't mind doling out in essence, a modest tip. 