Good Evening, Gentlemen;
From a Civil War Veteran, quoted in Recruiter's Bulletin January 1918:
"There were many kinds of uniforms to be seen in Washington in those days, but the were so shabby in comparison to those worn by the Marines. While out on liberty in the city, we were frequently taken for Brigadier Generals by volunteer soldiers and they would sometimes present arms to us. We returned the salute ... as we considered they were saluting the uniform and not the man."
--quoted on page 48 of An Illustrated Hisorty of the United States Marine Corps, by Chester G. Hearn, Salamander Books Ltd, 8 Blenheim Court, Brewery Road, London N7 9NT; ISBN: 1 84065 396 3.
(During the Civil War, US Marine Corps dress uniforms included double-breasted coats with two rows of buttons for all ranks. At this time, only Field Grade and General officers in the Army were entitled to wear double-breasted coats)
I have the honor to remain,
Your Obedient Servant,
Bvt Captain Malachi Thorne