22nd Alabama Jacket - Double-Breasted Jacket

Based on an image from the 22nd Alabama, this jacket represents one of the many  double and triple breasted jackets seen across the heartland of the Confederacy. While not inherently distinct to the 22nd Alabama, or even solely troops from Alabama, the various forms of false double breasted jackets and frocks appear to have been reasonably common amongst the volunteers of 1861 and 1862. 

Unlike the equally common false double breasted jackets, this garments represents the finer degree of quality that was available. The garment is made from a blue gray broadcloth, trimmed in French blue, and elaborately quilted lining copied from a surviving jacket. The jacket has two belt loops, with the one on the right side being buttoning. Like the other known examples from the 22nd Alabama, the jacket is false double-breasted, with buttonholes only seen on the left front. This is a trend seen on many early Alabama jackets and present even on some surviving Federal and Confederate officer frock coats. While finer than some other examples, this garment is associated with a private within the regiment and the image believed to be from very early 1862.