Confederate Army Lieutenant John Singleton Mosby's Frock Coat

This frock coat was worn by Confederate Army Lieutenant John Singleton Mosby. Confederate cavalry leader John Mosby is among the most romantic characters in the Civil War, and with good reason. From 1863 to the end of the conflict, Mosby's raiders were a constant headache for the North. The raiders usually acted in small detachments of several dozen, though more than 1,000 men served under Mosby. They sacked supply depots, attacked railroads, and harassed federal troops. They seemed to move behind enemy lines almost at will. Their most celebrated exploit occurred when Mosby himself rode into Fairfax Station, Virginia, in the dead of the night and kidnapped a Union general.

Double-breasted gray wool jacket which originally had two rows of seven large gilt eagle buttons down the front. Five buttons are missing on left and two on right. There are two buttons at the back waist, and thread remains of two buttons on coattails. Both sides of the jacket have button holes. Above the cuff there is a single braid 1/4" gold lace insignia called an Austrian knot; the single braid indicates that Mosby was a lieutenant when he wore this coat. The collar and cuffs are faced with buff wool. There is a deep pocket in each coattail. The body of the coat and parts of the coattails are lined with dark green cotton-wool mix fabric. The sleeves are lined. The front of the jacket is lightly padded and quilted.

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