April 1, 1863, The Charleston Mercury
The white or buff facing of the Confederate uniform is so easily soiled and so difficult to clean, it is fast going out of use. In defiance of the regulations, our officers are having their coats made plain without any facings. In the English army many regiments have white or buff facings, and they find no difficulty in keeping them perfectly clean. A little dry pipe clay well rubbed into the cloth, and then brushed out, is the only means used by them. If the cloth is greasy, make the pipe clay into a paste with a little water, rub this paste on the cloth with a piece of sponge or any other suitable thing, dry it well, rub the dry powder in and brush out; it will clean both the cloth and lace. A coat can be cleaned in this way in ten minutes.