From the collection of:
Frazier Historical Arms Museum || VAM Home

Issued to United States enlisted men in the infantry and cavalry from the Civil War into the late 1800s, the sack coat was the equivalent of a fatigue jacket or battle-dress uniform. These jackets, which were made of heavy wool flannel and worn over undershirts, were hot and uncomfortable. This particular jacket belonged to a Native American scout sergeant, who embellished the front, back, and sleeves with fine beadwork.

About the Artist

The unidentified American Indian who embellished this coat was most likely one of the many Crow and Arikara Indians who joined the U.S. 7th Cavalry as scouts and soldiers. Native scouts not only were familiar with the terrain, but also knew the fighting styles and tactics of various Native American leaders. More than 200 Crow warriors were serving with the Army at the time of Custer’s last campaign at the Little Bighorn. The Crow people allied themselves with the U.S. against their enemies, the Blackfoot and Lakota Sioux tribes, in order to win back lands taken from them in earlier Lakota invasions. Today, the Little Bighorn remains Crow country. The lands for which they fought were returned to them as a reservation.

Classroom Ideas

Discussion: What are some possible reasons why the wearer of this uniform added beadwork to the jacket? How and why do people personalize clothing today? Why are uniforms worn in armies, at schools, and in other situations? Do you think wearing a uniform affects the way the wearers feel and behave? How is clothing a form of artistic expression? Do you consider this hand-sewn and -embellished jacket to be a work of art? Why or why not?

Activities: Personalize an inexpensive T-shirt or bandana using embroidery, buttons, beads, ribbons, paint, or other materials. Have a friend do the same, beginning with the same item. Compare how your designs reflect your individual personalities and ideas.

Study uniforms from specific periods in history and create a classroom display or timeline.

Links

See pictures and drawings of original sack coats at the Original Civil War Uniforms site or at Dr. Howard Lanham’s Union Army Uniforms and Insignia pages.
[www2.inxpress.net/jwedeward/original_sack_coats.htm]
[www.members.tripod.com/~howardlanham/link34.htm]

Read an article about Native American beadwork at the Native Languages of the Americas site.
[www.native-languages.org/beadwork.htm]

The Native Tech web site includes information about the styles and techniques of Native American bead work.
[www.nativetech.org/beadwork/]