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The Curtis Coats

The garment to the right is the uniform coat worn by General Curtis at the battle of Pea Ridge. Curtis purchased the coat while still the Colonel of the 2nd Iowa Infantry. It was modified when Curtis was promoted to Brigadier General with the replacement of the shoulder straps and the rearrangement of the buttons. (Generals had their buttons arranged in two rows of nine, grouped in threes; while Majors, Lieutenant Colonels and Colonels had their buttons evenly spaced in two rows of seven.) The collar is black velvet and Curtis's major general straps are sewn onto the shoulders. There is an unusual slash pocket on the left breast of the coat.

The garment to the left was Curtis's dress uniform coat. It is a standard general officer's uniform. The collar and cuffs are black velvet. The shoulder straps are detachable and could be replaced with much fancier shoulder epaulettes for formal occasions. The brass attachment devises for the epaulettes are visible on both shoulders near the collar.

Both coats are on an extended loan from the Museum of Connecticut History. The Pea Ridge National Military Park Foundation is raising the necessary funds to purchase the coats for permanent display at the Pea Ridge NMP visitor center.

Last updated on: August 24, 2003
Written by: Interpretation Staff
http://www.nps.gov/peri/curtis_coats

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