4th Michigan Infantry

[observator]

1 regiment 3 varations in uniforms!

File:The Photographic History of The Civil War Volume 08 Page 077.jpg - Wikimedia Commons

commons.wikimedia.org

File:The Photographic History of The Civil War Volume 08 Page 081.jpg - Wikimedia Commons

commons.wikimedia.org

File:The Photographic History of The Civil War Volume 08 Page 079.jpg - Wikimedia Commons

commons.wikimedia.org

PS the lone soldier is identified!

[Portrait of Private Richard L. Cramer of Company I, 4th Michigan Infantry, and Company A, 1st Michigan Cavalry]

1 photographic print.

www.loc.gov

Mathew B. Brady - Richard L. Cramer, Company I, Fourth Michigan Volunteer Infantry - The Metropolitan Museum of Art

Inscription: Printed in ink on mount, recto BC: "Illustrations of Camp Life. // Brady, Washington.";inscribed in pencil on mount, verso TLC: "1131"; inscribed in pencil on mount, verso TC: "Cramer // 30 cents Pd

www.metmuseum.org

PVT Richard L. Cramer (1843-1894) - Find a Grave...

Richard Cramer was the subject of one of the most widely known Matthew Brady photographs of the early part of the American Civil War. He enlisted in Company I of the Fourth Michigan Volunteer Infantry on June 20,1861, at Adrian, Michigan, at the age of 18. Richard was discharged for disability...

www.findagrave.com

 

[major bill]

The 4th Michigan left the state wearing state issued grey uniforms. At some point these were replaced by what we see in these photos. The exact source of the uniforms is in debate but likely came from the Federal government. Michigan did not normaly supply uniforms once a regiment left Michigan. I have often wondered about the dark trousers. At about the same time the Federal government was supplying black trousers to Michigan. I have never discovered who were issued these black trousers. I have a couple theories, but no facts.

 

[History hoarder63]

By the winter of 1862-63 the 4th Michigan was wearing primarily standard issue Federal uniforms. I dug their winter camp at Stoneman's Switch Va and the buttons recovered were probably in the range of 100 "eagle" General service buttons to every Michigan state seal.

 

[Kurtlg]

You often see pistols shoved in their belts in early images. I would expect that as a prop in a photographer's studio , but not in the field. I wonder how long that lasted ?

 

[observator]

probably as long as it took after marching 20 miles under a hot sun in the heat and dust...