The Fourth Michigan wore gray uniforms before the more famous blue Zouave uniforms.

major bill

Brev. Brig. Gen'l
Forum Host
Joined
Aug 25, 2012
Most Civil War uniform enthusiast are familiar with the dark blue semi Zouave uniforms worn by the 4th Michigan Infantry Regiment Not too many Civil War uniform buffs know their first uniforms were gray. The 4th Michigan wore their gray uniforms at the First Bull Rum Battle.

The 4th Michigan (Bloody Fourth)Volunteer Infantry Regiment was issued gray uniforms; these were perhaps exact copies of the state’s dark blue nine-button jackets.http://civilwartalk.com/#_edn1 E. S. Heinemann & Company (Detroit) supplied the required 1000 gray uniforms for the 4th Regiment in just eight days. Heinemann use 500 hands and 20 sewing machines to complete the task and consumed 21,000 yards of cloth.[ii]

The jackets, vests and trousers were all made out of durable gray cloth. “The cloth is very substantial pattern, coat, vest, and pants, are made strong and durable.”[iii]The cadet gray army cloth[iv] for these uniforms was manufactured by Horace Ranson Gardner & Company’s Jonesville Woolen Factory (Jonesville Michigan). “They have a contract to manufacture a number of thousand yards of “Cadet Gray Army Cloth” to be used for the uniforms of the Fourth Michigan Regiment. The Regiment requires 8,000 yards.”[v]

Many period sources describe the 4th Infantry Regiment’s gray uniforms. The Detroit Daily Advertiser mentioned that the uniforms were like the gray uniforms of the 3rd Infantry Regiment.[vi] The Peninsular Courier (Ann Arbor) observed that they were fully uniformed with gray fatigue suits.[vii] The Toledo Blade stated that the uniforms of the 4th Michigan Volunteer Infantry Regiment were of neat and serviceable gray. They were much like the uniforms of the Wisconsin regiment that had recently passed through Toledo. [viii]

Questions about the uniform’s quality began upon issue of these gray uniforms. The men receiving them complained that they were made out of the poorest type of satinet.[ix] Additional reports soon followed indicting that many men considered their uniforms to be of cheaply made material. Adding to the wearer dissatisfaction , these uniforms quickly faded and the fading allowed the dirt and grime to become obvious. “Some of the men however, began to complain of their uniforms. They think that as long as the contractors get their pay for making them properly, they should furnish good material and make them so that they will not rip and tear before they have been worn twenty-four hours. Many of the uniforms are made of the poorest kind of satinnet. We did not volunteer for the purpose of complaining, but we do think it is a shame to provide us with uniforms that will not wear a month, when they should wear a year. These will wear out soon, and then we will have to replace them ourselves or go without.”[x] They were also issued gray caped overcoats.[xi]

White leggings and brogan shoes were issued with the gray uniforms. The caps were made by S.A. Fuller.[xii] The regiment received white Havelocks in May of 1861. Major Williams wore his Havelock until the Battle of Bull Run when a ball pasted through it.[xiii] The Barry Pioneer also indicates they received gray uniforms that were becoming and comfortable.[xiv] The shirts for the 4th Regiment were from private sources; the shirt’s color is not mentioned. Their canteens were made by W. S. Wilcox as were the cutlery and tin wear. W. H. Cleveland provided the regiment’s haversacks.[xv]

The officers of the 4th Michigan Infantry Regiment probably wore a gray version of the standard Michigan officer’s uniforms. This would have included gray frock coats either doubled breasted or single breasted depending on rank of the officer, and gray trousers. The officers were still clad in gray during the First Battle of Bull Run and may have possibly converted to blue uniforms when the regiment switched to blue.

“We are to receive a uniform of blue. The one we now have is the same color as that of our enemies. In the battle field we would be just as liable to be cut down by friend as foe.”[xvi] The Adrian company was still wearing their State issued uniforms when they receive new pants on August 3rd 1861. “Part of our uniforms have come, and the boys sport their blue pants this evening on dress parade. This is the first the boys have received from Uncle Sam.”[xvii] The rest of their uniforms must have arrived soon after the pants because reportedly the 4th Regiment replaced gray uniforms with blue by August 4th 1861.[xviii] This likely consisted of dark blue flannel sack coats and dark blue trousers.[xix] In one letter a 4th Regiment man indicated it was a loose blouse of blue. For some time they retained their gray forage caps the use of Havelocks continued for some time after the regiment received its blue uniforms. . The state had issued company letters and these could have continued to be worn.


http://civilwartalk.com/#_ednref1 “The Fourth Regiment – Presentation of a Flag”, Detroit Daily Advertiser, June 24 1861, P. 1, col. 1-3.

[ii] “Uniforms”, Detroit Daily Advertiser, June 7 1861, p. 1, col.2 . “The War Feeling”, Adrian Daily Expositor, June 7 1861, p. 1, col. .3.

[iii] “The Clothes for the Fourth Regiment”, Detroit Free Press, June 7 1861, p. 1, col. 1.

[iv]This was also referred to in a period letter as being light gray in color.

[v] Bertera, Martin N. and Kim Crawford, The 4th Michigan Infantry in the Civil War, Michigan State University Press, East Lansing, MI., 2010, p.11. “Letter from Detroit”, Jonesville Weekly Independent, May 16 1861, p. 3 col. 1. “Our Home Industrial Interest”, Jonesville Weekly Independent, June 6 1861, p. 3 col. 2.

[vi] “The Fourth Regiment – Presentation of a Flag”, Detroit Daily Advertiser, June 24 1861, p. 1, col. 2-3.

[vii] “Correspondence of the Courier, letter from Camp Williams Adrian June 17 1861’, Peninsular Courier (Ann Arbor), June 25 1861, p. 2, col. 3.

[viii] “The War Feeling”, Adrian Daily Expositor, June 3 1861, p. 1, col. 2.

[ix] Detroit Daily Tribune, July 19 1861.

[x] “From Camp William, Camp 4 Regiment M.V., Camp Williams, Adrian, June 16”, Detroit Daily Tribune, June 19 1861, p.1, col. 4.

[xi] Bertera, Martin N., and Kim Crawford, The 4th Michigan Infantry in the Civil War, Michigan State University Press, East Lansing, Mi., 2010, p. 12.

[xii] Adrian Daily Expositor, May 23 1861, p. 1, col. 4.

[xiii] Lansing State Republican, August 31 1861.

[xiv] “Returned”, Barry Pioneer (Hastings Mi.) June 7 1861, p. 3, col. 1.

[xv] “4th Regiment”, Adrian Daily Expositor, May 23 1861, P.1, col. 4.

[xvi]From Our Adrian Boys, Camp Mansfield July 27 61 signed by J.W.F., Adrian Democratic Enquirer, August 5 1861, p. 1, col. 1.

[xvii] “From Our Adrian Boys, Camp Mansfield Aug 3 1861 signed J.A.A.”, Adrian Democratic Enquirer, August 19 1861, p. 1, col. 1.

[xviii] Adrian Daily Expositor, August 5 1861.Another letter confirms that by August 27 1861 the Fourth Infantry Regiment had replaced d their gray uniforms. “From the Fourth Regiment (exert from a private letter) Camp Union Aug. 18, signed A.C.”, Detroit Daily Tribune, August 27 1861, p. 1, col. 1.

[xix] Detroit Daily Advertiser, August 31 1861.
 
Back
Top