[CIVIL WAR]. Union Infantry frock coat identified to Captain W.H.  Shuman, Co. I, 178th Pennsylvania regiment.

Navy blue nine-button single-breasted infantry officer's frock coat and captain's shoulder straps. Staff officer buttons at front all marked "Extra Quality." Field made straps are light blue cloth with single gold tape border and gold captain's bars. Three-button functional cuff. Skirt approximately 18 1/2 in. to rough edge. Sleeves 9 in. width. Four coat-size buttons on rear vent at waist and tails. Sleeve, body, and pocket linings in place. Inside coat with stitched green lining and sleeves lined in white cotton. Interior pocket at left breast and pockets at the tails. Ink identification under interior coat hook is partially legible, and reads "[illegible] Shuma[n]."

Coat with scattered mothing, surface wear, and light soil. Approx. 2 in. tear in seam under right arm through to and including the interior lining. Interior lining with scattered tears and small holes, with heavier wear at back, near armpits, and at chest pocket.

[With:] Period handwritten note, 5 x 2 3/4 in., identifying the coat to captain Shuman: "Father Shumans / coat he whare when / he was Captain of the Home Guards of / Brownsville Pa / Emma." 

William H. Shuman (1837-1913) mustered into the 178th regiment as a captain at Espy, Pennsylvania, on 25 November 1862 and mustered out 27 July 1863. The regiment of drafted militia 's nine month service included duty at Newport News and Yorktown, Virginia, reconnaissance to Bottom's Bridge, a skirmish at Chickahominy, and garrison duty Washington, DC. 


The Civil War and American Militaria Collection of Bruce B. Hermann