Stunning seems an understatement. This is without a doubt the most colorful Confederate regulation uniform that I have ever seen in over thirty years of collecting. The coat is finely tailored of the best English wool, and faced with fiery red broadcloth. What makes this Artillery Captain’s frock stand apart from all others is the breast lining of the same red broadcloth, so that when the breast was buttoned back (with those gorgeous Confederate staff officer buttons) the officer was oozing with red blooded Southern patriotism.

The coat’s cadet grey wool exterior is in near new condition. The green satinet liner shows extensive wear, but remains in good condition. The broadcloth branch of service facings show extensive wear, but remain in excellent condition. All eighteen of the coats "EXTRA RICH TREBLE GILT” stamped buttons are original to the coat. The six CS staff officer cuff buttons are original and carry the same "EXTRA RICH TREBLE GILT” backmarks.

Property of Chas. I Dial is inked on the inside of one sleeve. The style of writing is post War, so he was not the owner of the coat, but Charles Inglesby Dial is the son of Mary Inglesby Dial, and the grandson of Captain Charles Inglesby, 1^st South Carolina Artillery.

Charles Inglesby entered Confederate Service as 2^nd Lieutenant of Company B, 1^st Battalion Artillery. He had been promoted to 1^st Lieutenant of Company E by January of 1862. On March 24^th, of the same year, the Battalion officially became the 1^st South Carolina Artillery. Inglesby had been signing as commanding the company for nearly a year and a half when he was finally officially promoted to Captain of Company I, on July 20, 1864. A Captain of artillery is the equivalent to a Colonel of infantry. He was paroled at Greensboro, North Carolina on May 1, 1865.

The regiment was assigned to the Department of South Carolina, Georgia, and Florida. It fought in the battle of Secessionville (or the First Battle of James Island). It was a Confederate victory, fought on June 16, 1862. Afterwards it served in the forts and batteries around Charleston in their various engagements. During the operations on Morris Island, July 10th to September 6, 1863, there were 18 killed, 50 wounded, and 52 missing. In February, 1865, the unit was converted to an infantry regiment and was assigned to Colonel A. Rhett's Brigade. The regiment then became part of the forces involved in the North Carolina Campaign. It had 55 men disabled at Secessionville, only a remnant surrendered with the Army of Tennessee.

This stunning frock coat is in excellent condition, as the photos show. The artillery branch of service colors remain brilliant. The rarity and condition of this coat mark it as one of the very best in public or private collections.

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