Confederate Uniform of Cuban-born Officer Lt. Francisco Moreno, who served with Beauregard and was killed at the Battle of Shi...

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Confederate Uniform of Cuban-born Officer Lt. Francisco Moreno, who served with Beauregard and was killed at the Battle of Shiloh in 1862 - wearing this uniform!

This uniform has one of the most intriguing histories of the Civil War as this uniform was worn by a gentleman from a prominent Cuban family. Lieutenant Francisco Moreno was one of a number of men of Hispanic descent who were part of the Southern Aristocracy that fought for the Confederacy. His father was the largest banker in Pensacola and his grandfather was a surgeon in the Spanish Army stationed in Pensacola. His great-grandfather commanded one of the Spanish colonies in Louisiana in 1778. He was clearly connected to the upper echelons of the Confederate Army, not only serving with General Beauregard, but his sister was married to the Confederate Secretary of Navy Stephen Mallory, who was also from Pensacola.

Moreno was mortally wounded, being shot through the legs while wearing this uniform at the Battle of Shiloh. The uniform has the appearance of being cut off him after he was wounded. He signed his name inside the uniform at the waist in iron gall ink, "F. Moreno, Jr." This New Orleans-made Confederate 1st Lieutenant's frock coat is made of fawn gray wool and has eagle staff buttons backed "superior quality." The standing collar is made of medium sky-blue kersey for the infantry. Stitched to the collar on each side is the Confederate 1st Lieutenant's rank insignia, made of two flat gold braids. The blue cuffs are made from the same sky blue wool kersey in a pointed pattern with eagle cuff buttons back marked "Extra Quality." Quatrefoil runs up each sleeve in a Confederate pattern officer's insignia. An unusual feature of the uniform is that the inside lining is fitted with a lightweight dark brown leather belt. The front of the coat has a single button hole on each side, which is a French feature allowing the front of the coat to be buttoned to the back, allowing the coat to be kept out of the way of the legs. This feature is only found in New Orleans-made Confederate officer uniforms.

Lieutenant Moreno joined the Orleans guard infantry, a six-company organization that entered Confederate service in December 1861. General P. G. T. Beauregard was also a member of this battalion which formed part of his command during the Battle of Shiloh, April 6-7, 1862. The Orleans guards' casualties were 17 killed, 55 wounded, and 18 missing. Among those was Lieutenant Moreno, who was hit in both legs and died shortly after the battle. General Beauregard made a personal inquiry regarding Lieutenant Moreno by flag of truce to Union General Buell.

A historically important Confederate uniform from many perspectives, beginning with Lieutenant Moreno's connection with one of the earliest Spanish families of Louisiana, Florida, and Cuba. He was mortally wounded wearing this uniform as the blood stains so vividly indicate. He may have been cut out of his coat as he lay wounded on the battlefield. As such, it is an extremely rare uniform with one of the most fascinating histories of any relic to survive the Civil War.

Provenance: Moreno Family, prominent collector

Authentication: Les Jensen, 6-page report with detailed photographs