Officers had dark blue or uniforms tailored to suit individual needs. Trousers: Sky blue baggy wool trousers cut with pockets.Greatcoat: A large sky blue overcoat double-breasted for cavalry, single-breasted for infantry.Coat: A cheaply made dark blue sack-coat of a simple and unsophisticated design, having a loose cut, fall collar, and no pockets.Insignia was pinned on top of the crown or -in officers- in front of the cap. Generals wore a variant having a black velvet band. Officers tended to privately purchase more elaborate versions after the French Army model subsequently known as chasseur caps. Headgear: A forage cap with a floppy crown.The fatigue uniform consisted of the following: Officers wore French-type epaulets and a sash. Coat: The same described (frock or short shell-jacket) with metallic epaulets resembling scales.Some units such as marines and mounted artillery retained shakos for ceremonial purposes. Headgear: The hat described with trimmings in the arm of service colours. The parade uniform consisted of the following: The army had changed all trousers, except for light artillery, to dark blue on March 13, 1861, but this was reversed on December 21, 1861. General officers and officers of the Ordnance Department had no stripes on their trousers, with all other officers wearing piping with their respective branch of service or gold for staff officers. General officers, and staff officers wore trousers of the same shade of blue as the coat. NCOs had a vertical stripe in the arm of service colors. Trousers for all enlisted men and regimental officers were sky blue.Officers could wear this or a dark blue variant. Greatcoat: In sky blue, with standing collar and French cuffs and a fixed short cape.Rank insignia was worn on the coat, the same as the dress frock. A sack coat was also issued as a fatigue uniform, being lined for recruits, and unlined for a service uniform. Field and general officers wore a double-breasted version, with generals wearing dark blue velvet collars and cuffs. Cavalry and horse artillery used a short jacket, which was more practical for riding. Company officers wore an untrimmed single-breasted coat, with shoulder straps to signify rank and branch of service. Coat: In Prussian blue, tight fitting and almost knee length, trimmed in the arm of service piping along the collar edges and in the French-peak styled cuff trim, for all enlisted ranks.Forage caps were regulation for service and non-dress occasions, while the non-regulation kepi was also widely used. Headgear: A black felt Hardee hat, the Model 1858 Dress Hat, with one brim being secured by means of an embroidered eagle for officers and a metallic eagle for enlisted men, after the U.S.The service and campaign uniform consisted of the following: As a result, almost any variation of the official uniform could be found as officers and men abandoned some items, adopted others and modified still others.ĭescribed in general terms this uniform consisted of: For example, shoulder straps began replacing epaulets in dress occasions. Uniforms were adapted to local conditions, the commander's preference, and what was available. It consisted of a Campaign Uniform, a Parade (Dress) Uniform, and a Fatigue Uniform.ĭuring the war, enforcement of uniform regulations was imperfect. Army uniform at the outbreak of the war had acquired its definitive form in the 1858 regulations. War Secretary Jefferson Davis before the war he later became Confederate President. Ironically, several main pieces of gear had been created by order of the U.S. Officers uniforms tended to be highly customized and would stray from Army standard. Specific jobs, companies, and units had markedly different styles at times, often following European customs such as that of the Zouaves. Officer's ranks were denoted with increasing levels of golden decoration. The ideal uniform was prescribed as a dark blue coat with lighter pants, with a black hat. The military uniforms of the Union Army in the American Civil War were widely varied and, due to limitations on supply of wool and other materials, based on availability and cost of materials. Army first sergeant, circa 1858, influenced by the French army
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