U.S. Regulation of 1874 Officer’s Frock Coat, Pants and Cap Made by Edwin S. Pierce Civil War Veteran Lt. Col.  of the 3^rd Michigan Infantry – This superior condition grouping was made at the postwar, tailor shop of Edwin S. Pierce; Pierce had served with distinction as a Lt. Colonel in the 3^rd Michigan Infantry, during the Civil War. The coat, pants and cap conform to the U.S. Army Regulations of 1874; all three elements in this grouping remain in superb condition, with only the most minor of insect impact and retaining vibrant color. All buttons on the coat and cuffs, are Michigan staff officer buttons, by Scovills of Waterbury. The coat, constructed of a high grade of dark blue wool, exhibits a quilted lining and off-white, cotton-lined sleeves and is finely tailored with a combination of hand and machine sewing; there are pockets in the tails of the coat and ballooned elbows, as well as unhemmed skirts, all features indicative of an early, post-Civil War coat. The pants, constructed of a fine quality, wool, retain a great, sky-blue color, with a wide, dark blue, branch of service stripe, down each leg; both hand and machine stitching were utilized in the manufacture of the pants, which are lined, in the interior waist area, with cotton. The pants buttons are all gilded brass, with the tailor’s name – “E. S. Pierce” – embossed in each button. At the cuffs of both pant legs, is a lining to protect the pants from wear and mud, a feature also comparable to Civil War, officer pants. The cap is a low crown, kepi style, dating from the late Civil War to the early 1870s; it is constructed of a high grade of dark blue wool;  a bullion insignia affixed to the front of the cap – the letters “MD “ within a bullion wreath. The lining remains in the cap and is constructed of brown polished cotton, along the sides of the interior and quilted, black silk on the interior of the crown; embossed on the crown of the cap is the following:

“SCHUYLER HARTLEY & GRAHAM

18 MAIDEN LANE

NEW YORK”

This well-known firm, a main source for uniforms, edged weapons and insignia, as well as additional military items, during the Civil War, was still at their old, Civil War address, when this cap was retailed by them. The sweat band also remains in place, as does the chinstrap, although it appears to have come unattached at some time and been re-attached on one side of the cap. At the point of attachment of the chinstrap, on either side of the cap’s exterior, are Civil War period, “Eagle I” officer’s cuff buttons. When we obtained the coat there was an old, retailer label, with what appeared to be the name “E. S. Pierce” – that label was in very tenuous condition and is no longer with the coat; we were able to make a photograph of the label which will be included with the purchase of the grouping. Pierce, with other family members, ran a clothing and tailoring establishment in Grand Rapids, Michigan, after the Civil War. Prior to the war, the Pierce brothers Byron, Silas, and Edwin owned a clothing and custom tailor shop, in Grand Rapids. Research indicates that they may have manufactured the uniforms for their Michigan regiment. Note the image attached of the 1861 Pierce, store token. Edwin S. Pierce is listed as a clothier and tailor, in the 1873 Grand Rapids directory. In addition, the gold washed pants buttons all are embossed with the following:

Edwin S. Pierce served in the 3^rd Michigan Infantry, at the rank of Lt. Colonel. While serving in this regiment, Pierce would see considerable action, throughout the war.

Many collectors consider the U.S. M1874 Officer’s Frock Coat more difficult to find today, then the standard Civil War, Union officer’s frock coats. The quality of this coat and pants are indicative of their being a custom, tailored order in the early 1870s. Accompanying the coat, pants and cap are an officer’s of the day, scarlet, woven wool, shoulder sash and a bright yellow aiguillette, both dating to the early 1870s. It appears that Edwin Pierce was investing in the resurgence of interest in maintaining state troops, in Michigan, in the early 1870s.

*At the end of 1872, the state’s military force consisted of nine companies. However, during 1873-74, seven more companies were added, forming two regiments (the First and Second) of eight companies each. After the Civil War, people’s prevalent thought seemed to be that war was so terrible there would never be another among civilized people. Thus, all military organizations became suspect. There were still some companies organized though, and it was the habit of these independent companies to go on little tours of camp duty each year by themselves. For example, in 1867, the Light Guard camped at Orchard Lake and in 1869 at Whitemore Lake.

Despite the sincerity of these troops, in 1870 the affairs of the militia were at such a low ebb there were only three companies in state service. These units, anxious to maintain their existence, obtained Governor Baldwin’s approval to hold a joint encampment in August 1870, at Slocum’s Island. This encampment aroused the interest of the public and the state militia began to grow again.

Birth of the Michigan State Troops – The Franco-Prussian War of 1870 also fueled the public’s interest in the state militia. The conflict had such an effect the legislature passed an act authorizing the establishment of the “Michigan State Troops.” The plan was to take existing volunteer companies and, if they desired, incorporate them into the Michigan State Troops. The organization was similar to the National Guard, as far as the state was concerned. In 1891, the name was changed to Michigan National Guard. The organization of volunteer companies was finally recognized as a sensible and logical move, so upon the reorganization of 1870, the old idea of the “militia” was dropped and total reliance for state defense was placed upon the Michigan State Troops. Units in the following cities were once part of the Michigan State Troops, and are still active in the Michigan National Guard today: Ann Arbor, Adrian, Jackson, Lansing, Ypsilanti, Coldwater, Grand Rapids, Muskegon, and Calumet.

At the end of 1872, the state’s military force consisted of nine companies. However, during 1873-74, seven more companies were added, forming two regiments (the First and Second) of eight companies each.

• Letter designations, locations, and original dates of muster of the First Regiment, under Colonel William H. Withington, of Jackson, were as follows:
  –Company A, Detroit, November 16,1855
  –Company B, Ann Arbor, September 22, 1868
  –Company C, Detroit, March 25, 1870
  –Company D, Adrian, August 15, 1970
  –Company E, Tecumseh, December 29,1870
  –Company F, Monroe, December, 29,1870
  –Company G, Hudson, April 1, 1872
  –Company H, Ypsilanti, December 25,1872

• Letter designations, locations, and original dates of muster of the Second Regiment were as follows:
  –Company A, Coldwater, November 17,1871
  –Company B, Flint, October 18, 1872
  –Company C, Grand Rapids, November, 26,1872
  –Company D, Kalamazoo, March 4,1873
  –Company E, Bay City, April 18, 1874
  –Company F, East Saginaw, April 13,1872
  –Company G, Port Huron, April 16, 1874
  –Company H, Marquette, July 24,1874.

During the years between the 1870 reorganization and the Spanish-American War in 1898, the State Troops increased in number, efficiency, and preparedness. New units were added and those that dropped below standards were disbanded. By 1876, the State Troops’ strength stood at 1,792 and was organized into 24 companies. Rifle practice was emphasized and the soldiers participated in many civil celebrations and parades and aided the civil authorities in keeping law and order on several occasions.

 *Department of Military and Veterans Affairs – Lansing, Michigan

3rd Michigan Infantry Regiment

The 3rd Michigan Infantry Regiment had a total enrollment of 1,432 men. The regiment lost 4 officers and 154 enlisted men killed or mortally wounded and 2 officers and 89 enlisted men to disease during the Civil War. It is honored by a monument at Gettysburg.

The regiment was reorganized in October and served in the Western Theater.

Report of Lieutenant Colonel Edwin Pierce, 3rd Michigan Infantry, on the Battle of Gettysburg.

HDQRS. THIRD REGIMENT MICHIGAN VOLUNTEERS,
August 4, 1863.

CAPTAIN: I have the honor to report the part taken by this regiment in the battle of Gettysburg, on July 2 and 3.
We left Emmitsburg at 3 a.m. on the 2d, and arrived at Gettysburg about 12 m. On our nearing Gettysburg, the enemy appeared in our rear and left flank. We were then marched near and to the left of the Taneytown road, where the brigade was formed in column of regiments, we occupying the right, where we halted for a short time. Then we were moved forward about 1 mile, when the enemy made his appearance in force, and was driving in our pickets. The colonel was then ordered to deploy his regiment as skirmishers. He moved his regiment by the right flank to the left of the peach orchard, of which the enemy held a portion, where he deployed Companies I, F, and K, deploying forward on the right of Company F. ‘We drove the enemy’s skirmishers back to and beyond the stone house and barn on the left of the Emmitsburg road, our right resting-in front of the orchard, near the road.

Upon gaining this position, we discovered that the enemy was massing his forces on our left. I reported the same to General Sickles, and kept him informed of the enemy’s movements. During the engagement, the enemy made several attempts to retake the house and barn, but were repulsed with heavy loss, our men fighting with a desperation never before witnessed, and at times at a range of not over 50 yards.

Company A was detached to support a portion of General Graham’s line on our right. They advanced to the brick house on the right of the Emmitsburg road, holding their position until overpowered by a superior force. The most of General Graham’s force having retired, we held our position until about 7 p.m., when the left had retired so far that we were in danger of being flanked. We retired in good order, and assisted in bringing off a portion of two batteries.

It was at this time that the colonel was wounded, and I assumed command, he having remained mounted during the entire engagement, and constantly on the skirmish line cheering the men on. We rejoined the brigade where it was formed at the commencement, when we were marched across the Taneytown road, and bivouacked for the night.

Our loss was as follows:

On the morning of the 3d, we moved forward to the first position occupied on the 2d, and were formed the same, where we remained till about 3 p.m. Thence we were moved off by the right flank at double-quick to where the enemy was trying to pierce our center. The regiment was here detached, and sent to the support of the Second Division, Second Corps, where we assisted in repulsing the enemy, who had succeeded in breaking through a portion of their line.

The regiment occupied the front line till the morning of the 5th, when we rejoined our brigade. No casualties occurred to the regiment during this day’s action.

In closing this report, I cannot particularize any of the officers or men, but I am proud to state that they did their duty without an exception. I have the honor to be, very respectfully, your obedient servant,

EDWIN S. PIERCE,
Lieut. Col., Comdg. Third Regiment Michigan Volunteers.
Capt. BEN. M. PIATT,
Asst. Adjt. Gen. Third Brig., First Div., Third Corps.

from OFFICIAL RECORDS: Series 1, vol 27, Part 1