Union Army Uniforms and Insignia of the Civil War

This corporal is wearing one reenlistment service stripes on his sleeves. His uniform frock coat is worn as a lapel coat with the standing collar turned down and a vest under it. There are no clues to his branch of service. Service stripes would be uncommon in early war images when only Regular Army soldiers would qualify for them. With the reenlistment of veteran volunteers service chevrons are seen in late war images among the volunteers, who would have had less than five years service in a war that did not last that long. This was authorized by General Orders 191 of June 25, 1863 as a distinction for those whose reenlistments as veteran volunteers were badly needed.