In conjunction with Fred Baker, Skillet Licker Products is offering a limited run of the "Huntsville, Texas Penitentiary Jacket", perfect for the upcoming Mansfield, LA event and, indeed, all far West events. Run is limited to 15 jackets, first come first served, at a cost of $195. Prototype jacket will be pictured on the site and orders will then be taken. Description and information pertaining to as follows:

The Penitentiary Jacket is a garment without surviving examples and very little in the way of period images. No known photographic image survives although sketches of the garment exist from period lithographs and other like works. Additionally, these garments are mentioned in a good many letters and reports. Historians Fred Adolphus and Don Smith have both done a significant amount of research into Penitentiary Jackets and have concluded the following- the garments were constructed of a "military styled" pattern, the jackets featured little in the way of adornment or embellishment, and finally, there was no set number of buttons nor other points of uniformity. The shared trait of all Penitentiary items was the cloth of which they were made. During the war the state penitentiary in Huntsville, Texas put its inmates to work looming and weaving millions of yards of cloth to provide to the lacking people of the State of Texas as well as the Confederacy as a whole. Much of this fabric was sold or provided to families for personal needs. However, vast quantities were also transformed into jackets, trousers, and other badly needed uniform items for both State and Confederate forces. A large proportion of the cloth manufactured at Huntsville was undyed, both to speed production and reduce the cost of making it. Therefore, thousands of jackets and trousers were constructed of "natural" (or undyed) cotton jean cloth. Another advantage inherent in making uniform items from light colored, cotton cloth was the comfort of the combatants. Trans-Mississippi soldiers on garrison or on campaign in the torrid summer heat of Texas or the thick, muggy humidity of the Louisiana cane breaks no doubt appreciated any relief afforded them. Thus, Penitentiary uniforms were a very common sight in the states west of the Big Muddy. Moreover, there is building evidence which indicates similar types of uniforms were worn by troops east of the Mississippi as well. Several letters and diaries make mention of Confederate troops clad in white uniforms, particularly around the time of the Chickamauga campaign. Finally, it is important to remember that these garments were not known as "Penitentiary Coats" during the time of the war. Rather, that term is one crafted by modern historians and material culturists as an identifier, much the same as the "Mystery Jacket" or the "Richmond Depot III."

The Penitentiary coats made for the up-coming Mansfield/Pleasant Hill Preservation March will be constructed of the highest quality materials available. Both the jean and lining material will be either from Family Heirloom Weavers or Ben Tart. Buttons will include coin buttons from Wooded Hamlet or military buttons from Jim Kindred. All interior/hidden seams will be machined and every jacket will be top-stitched by hand. Buttonholes will be hand-sewn as well. Although the color and style of every jacket will be quite similar, the button arrangement will not. Some jackets may have 8 button fronts while others may have only 5.

Mansfield Preservation Quilt

In April 2, 2004; quality living historians from around the country will meet at Mansfield, Louisiana to recreate the campaigner battalion of the 15th Texas Infantry, Polignac's Brigade, Mouton's Division, Taylor's Army of West Louisiana during the Red River campaign. The purpose of the 15 mile march from Mansfield to Pleasant Hill is to raise funds to help save the historic Mansfield battlefield.

To that end, Mike Anderson of Anderson Dry Goods is donating a beautiful Mid 1800"s "homespun" utility quilt, as carried by many CW soldiers on both sides. Aprox. size is 58" X 90". Back side is a "homespun" cotton, off-white or light tan in color. Cotton batting between the two outer layers. Top layer is alternating vertical panels of plain "homespun" , then a panel of four-patch blocks set on point. (Similar to quilt on page 29, bottom right, in the book Southern Quilts by Bets Ramsey & Merikay Waldvogel)

Plain panels are of FHW "homespun", Shenandoah pattern. Hand quilting will be done in the "fan" pattern.

Pictures to the left are portions of the front side.

How it works: Chances are $5 or 3 for $10. Purchase $125 from me and you are automatically entered. Just before the event I will post all the entry forms (which I fill out on this end for you) and will mail them to Mike Anderson who will be attending the event. Mike will then notify the winning party who will either receive the quilt at the event, if they attend, or it will be shipped out by Mike to you. All checks should be made out to Joe Hofmann with Mansfield, LA in the memo line. I will then send a lump sum check to the organizers.

Below are images of the various patterns and overall bacground material of the quilt. Recerse side will be tan.

This quilt is valued at over $300!

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New Year Sale!

Cravats!

The long awaited run of black or printed cotton pattern cravats by NJ Sekela are in stock! Hand stitched onto blued spring steel coil to retain shape, one size fits all adjustment, these cravats are truely an item that is coveted by Citizen, Soldier and Officer alike! While supplies last, specific cotton print cravats have a free matching handkerchief as well!
Act now! See site for details under Citizens Articles.

Camp Shoes!!!

Limited run of Canvas camp shoes beginning now! The list is growing and only a limited number will be made, so be among the first to get them as they become available!

Check them out!!!

Accoutrements, the finest available!

"For Fatigue Purposes The Army Sack Coat 1857 - 1872" by Patrick Brown is now in stock and, as our moniker states, ready to ship! The price is $22.50 plus postage & handling.

"Nathan Gale / 28 State Street / Boston, Mass."

Shirts! Shirts! Shirts!

World War II

There is a new page added onto the site for those of you who also reenact WWII. Presently it contains German goods but will expand to include more German as well as G.I. goods as well. Click here to check it out!

SKILLETLICKER RESEARCH SITE!