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A common misconception exists that Civil War era ladies wore gloves all the time. Photographic and historic evidence indicates that gloves were mostly worn out of doors. In fact, it is very difficult to find pictures of ladies wearing gloves from this era. Those few images with women wearing gloves also show them wearing outerwear such as cloaks or capes.
Ladies wore gloves to protect their lily white hands. Gloves were designed for warmth and fashion. A lady always wore gloves when going out and in cold weather. However, they did not wear them at a ball--the man was supposed to wear gloves at a dance to avoid soiling the ladies with their icky, sweaty palms.
Period gloves were made of solid color fabrics or leather. They fitted the hand closely and extended only to the wrist. It was considered fashionable to have plump hands, so gloves were kept short to give that illusion. Sometimes decorative stitching was added to the back of the glove. Most ladies did not wear crocheted or lace gloves.
Mitts (fingerless gloves) were fashionable in the 1850's, and photographs show older women (50 to 60+) still wearing them. Mitts from the 50's WERE crocheted or made of lace.
Don't rush right out to the sutler's and purchase any old pair of gloves right away. You can get by without gloves until you find proper ones. Avoid crocheted or lace gloves, unless your impression is one of an older woman wearing her favorite 50's styles.
Fortunately, it is easy to find fashionable gloves at thrift shops. My gloves have come from this source, for considerable less money than new gloves. Look for short leather or fabric gloves in solid colors. Avoid synthetic fabrics, please.