Uniform of Lieutenant Samuel F. Patton
59^th Illinois Volunteer Infantry, Company A. Circa 1861

This is an example of an ordinary Junior Officer’s Frock Coat worn by thousands of Lieutenants and Captains. These were made by the Officer’s local tailor as there was no such thing as Government issue Officer’s uniforms.  As a consequence, the quality varied widely by what the individual could afford. This one is quite common although there was nothing common about the man who served in this coat. Sam Patton was from Knoxville, Knox County, Illinois where he joined the locally formed Regiment as a Private on July 17, 1861. Sam was unusual in that he served in his same Regiment from 1861 to 1865, the entire duration of the war. He rose from Private to First Lieutenant, re-enlisting January 12,1864. His Regiment saw a tremendous amount of action, Pea Ridge, Corinth, Stone’s River, Chattanooga, Rocky Faced Ridge and Resaca. After the war, Sam’s popularity with his men aided him in being elected County Sheriff. He died February 18, 1893.