RARE, RARE, RARE, and desirable as it gets. This is a beautiful outfit with classic frock coat. It sports all of its C-buttons and a set of beautiful, double gold-bullion bordered Captain straps. The vest is equally impressive with only 3 remaining buttons that are wire-loop backed rather than stitched. Original replacements for the missing buttons can easily be found. The pants are FANTASTIC, WITH THE ORIGINAL YELLOW PIPING DOWN EACH LEG, VERY, VERY RARE, ALMOST IMPOSSIBLE TO FIND. The set has a great story and it pays to dig when hunting these items. This uniform was in an auction and the auctioneer I/D'd the set WITH THE NAME OF THE CONSIGNOR RATHER THAN THE THE NAME OF THE CONSIGNORS ANCESTOR. When I couldn't find the name of the soldier through the archives, I called the auction house and found out who the consignor was and called him the morning of the auction to find that the true ID was to his great, great grandfather, William N. Berry of the 5th Illinois Cavalry. Berry first served for 6 months in the 26th Illinois Infantry. The men who composed this gallant Regiment always had the honor to remember that the man who first led them in defense of their country's flag became the most illustrious soldier and distinguished citizen of the age and generation in which he lived, Ulysses S. Grant. Berry left the 26th a few months after Grant was promoted to General, being discharged for promotion as 2nd Lieutenant in the 5th Illinois Cavalry in December of 1861. This unit saw much action in the Western Theatre. They were organized at Camp Butler in Nov., 1861, and mustered in for three years. On Feb. 20, 1862, it moved to Benton barracks, St. Louis Mo., and on March 27, marched to Doniphan, arriving there on April 1, driving out the enemy, capturing his camp, killing 3 and taking 7 prisoners. In October, a forage train was attacked by the enemy and 79 of the regiment were captured, after losing 1 killed and 6 wounded. In the spring of 1863 it entered the Vicksburg campaign and on June 3, made a reconnoissance to Mechanicsburg, drove the enemy 10 miles, skirmishing heavily. On the following day it formed a junction with two regiments of infantry and 8 pieces of artillery, attacked the enemy and defeated him, the regiment losing 1 killed and 7 wounded. In July, it accompanied an expedition to Canton, Miss., arriving there after some fighting, and after destroying the public workshops, railroads, etc., returned to the main army at Jackson. On Aug. 21, it encountered and defeated Blythe's Confederate cavalry at Coldwater, the regiment losing 1 killed and 5 wounded. In October it took part in a cavalry charge at Brownsville, routing the Confederate Gen. Wirt Adams, and driving him from his position, the regiment losing 2 wounded and 1 prisoner. On Jan. 1, 1864, many in the regiment reenlisted as veterans, and in March, were furloughed home, returning to the command on May 10. The remainder of the regiment's term of service was spent in Mississippi, Louisiana and Texas, engaged in scouting and guard duties. It was mustered out at Springfield, Ill., Oct. 27, 1865. Berry served with distinction with the 5th and he himself was captured while a first Lieutenant in Jones County, Mo. in June of 1863 and was imprisoned at Macon. I don't know how or when he got out, but he was made a Captain on 12/30/64 and further research may find him on Staff. This is a great set.