This frock coat was worn by Brigadier General Francis Marion Cockrell. Recognized as one of the finest military commanders in the American Civil War on both sides of the war, he gained fame during the Siege of Vicksburg and, following promotions to brigadier general in 1863, went on to fight in the Atlanta Campaign and Tennessee Campaign. Following the war, Cockrell returned to civilian life and served five terms as a U.S. Senator from Missouri. He died in Washington DC in 1915 at the age of 81. There is some debate as to whether this was ever worn by him in war time or whether it was used by him as a veteran in post-war times only. The buttons have all been replaced at some point with period buttons.
An interesting aside, museum visitors often note how small people were back in the 19th century. Today, the standard dress form size for displaying American Civil War uniforms is a 12-year-old boy!
Donated to the Varnum Memorial Armory Museum in 1928 by the Cockrell family.
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