Coat
Description
Uniform coat for the Confederate States Navy worn by Admiral Franklin Buchanan (1800-1874), when in command of "Merrimac," or "Virginia," at the Battle of Hampton Roads, in March 1862. The coat has two columns of nine brass buttons on the front, gold patches on the shoulders, and five gold stripes with the top stripe looped on both sleeve cuffs. Buchanan was born in Baltimore and joined the U.S. Navy in 1815. Expecting his State of Maryland to resign at the start of the Civil War, he resigned his commission. When Maryland remained with the union, he tried to be reinstated, but was refused. Buchanan then turned to the confederate navy, where he was commissioned a captain. Wounded by a bullet to the thigh, while wearing this coat at the Battle of Hampton Roads, he later returned to service and was promoted to full admiral.
Creator
Date
circa 1862