1850 Pattern Cap

[major bill]

In 1850 the US Army issued General Order, No. 2 War Department, 13 February 1850 which called for a new style of cap. This was a apparently to be a cloth version of the outdated Leather Forage Cap 1839. The General Order was quickly suspended by General Orders, No. 25, War Department, 23 August 1850. It does not appear the Army made any of these caps for enlisted men and probably only a few officers actually purchased and wore them.

The Army decided to go with a more European style cap and with General Orders, No. 31, 12 June 1851 the tall 1851 Cap came into use. This went through a couple changes and became the Civil War era forage cap.

Had the US Army continued developing the 1850 Pattern Cap, we would have seen a much different style cap being used in the Civil War. I am not sure a cloth version of the 1839 Cap would been an attractive looking cap. Perhaps this ugly looking cap would have proven practical,

 

[major bill]

The 1850 Pattern Cap would have looked a bit like a cloth version of this.

Perhaps practical, but one ugly looking piece of headwear.

 

[major bill]

A front view of the 1833-1839 leather cap. Is this a good look for a Civil War cap? I don't think so. Kind of looks like you are wearing a basketball. I can not imagine how a floppy well worn cloth cap of this style would have looked like.