A fundamental tactic in every war is the elimination of leadership by killing officers, often by snipers. Admiral Lord Nelson, on the HMS Victory at the Battle of Trafalgar, was killed by a sniper on the French Ship Redoutable. Union Officers rode while their troops marched afoot and were further distinguished by their uniforms. Confederate forces, some using guerrilla tactics when advantageous, used sharpshooters (snipers) to assassinated officers. In response, a few small manufacturers produced breastplates or "iron vests" which offered protection under the uniform blouse and coat. See http://web.prm.ox.ac.uk/weapons/index.php/tour-by-region/oceania/americas/arms-and-armour-americas-42/index.html for an example in the Pitt Rivers Museum, Oxford. This example is 20 1/2" height, globose form with ridged medial. It is steel, about 0.080" thick at the edges, and weighs slightly under 6 pounds. These were produced by a handful of makers including G D Cook & Co. and Atwater Armor Company, though, as with this example, most are unmarked. The only other example on the market that we have found is offered at over eight thousand dollars.