COMING IN DECEMBER 2020
REGULATION CONFEDERATE INFANTRY OFFICER’S FROCK COAT OF LT. FRANCIS MORENO, KILLED IN ACTION AT SHILOH.
inv # 02-13601
This regulation Confederate frock coat was worn by Lieutenant Francis Moreno, 13th Battalion LA Infantry. Moreno’s name “F. Moreno Jr.” is inked in back of coat. General P. G. T. Beauregard was also a member of this battalion which later formed part of his command during the Battle of Shiloh, April 6-7, 1862. The battalion was mustered into Confederate service for ninety days in New Orleans on March 6, 1862, w/ 411 men. The Orleans Guard’s casualties were 17 killed, 55 wounded and 18 missing. Among those wounded and left on the field was Lieutenant Moreno, who was shot in both legs and died shortly after the battle. This regulation pattern Confederate Lieutenant’s frock coat is made of gray wool and has eagle staff buttons back marked “Superior Quality”. The standing collar is made of medium sky-blue kersey for the infantry. Stitched to the collar on each side is the Confederate 1st Lieutenant’s rank insignia, made of two flat gold bullion braids. The blue cuff facings are made from the same sky-blue wool kersey in a pointed pattern w/ eagle cuff buttons back marked “Extra Quality”. The single strand sleeve braid is that of a 2nd Lieutenant; it runs up each sleeve in a Confederate pattern quatrefoil officer’s insignia. Indicating that the coat started life as a 2nd Lieutenant’s coat and later the collar was changed to a 1st Lieutenant. An unusual feature of the uniform is that the inside lining is fitted w/ a lightweight dark brown leather belt. The front of the coat has a single button hole on each side. This is a French feature allowing the front of the coat to be buttoned to the back, keeping the skirts out of the way of the legs. This feature is only found in New Orleans made tailored Confederate officer uniforms. This is truly a stunning, historically important, KIA Confederate Officer’s Frock Coat.
