- Joined
- Aug 25, 2012
This is an Otto Boettischer print of the 71st Regiment, New York Militia "The American Guard" in their 1853 uniform. I am posting this thread in an effort to discuss militia uniforms and why certain styles of uniforms were worn just prior to the Civil War.
The American Rifles formed as the American Rifles in 1849 under the Order of the United Americans, which was related to the Known Nothing Party. The American Rifles were formed to counter the militia companies being formed in New York City by foreign immigrants. To show that they were American and anti immigrant its choice of uniforms reflected this. The 71st adopted "American style uniforms" of the working class. In 1853 elite militia units often wore long tailed coatees (see the "silk-stocking 7th New York who wore coatees) and foreign born militia units often wore European style uniforms. In 1853 the simple frock coat was considered a working man's uniform. But as one can see here The American Guards still wanted to look impressive. In 1857 The American Guard switched to more modern caps. At the start of the Civil War fancy militia regiments where dropping the coatee and adopting the frock coat while many militia units who considered themselves "American working class" units were starting to wear blue or gray roundabout style jackets. The 7th Regiment of New York helped spearhead the drive by some militia units to look "American". Some militia units who were anti-immigrant adopted Continental style uniforms to demonstrate they were "Americans". Care should be used when viewing the wearing of Continental style uniforms as an anti-immigrant symbol because some militia units in 1851 adopted this style of uniform for the 75th anniversary of the American Revolution
The American Guards enlisted for 90 days at the start of the Civil War and were considered a well trained unit as can be seen by the fact they were selected to accompanied the New York fire Zouaves when they captured Alexandria Virginia, the first major Confederate town to fall to the Union. They went on to fight at the First Battle of Bull Run. Called to active service again during the Gettysburg Campaign they held Harrisburg and after the battle hurried back to New York to help quell the Draft Riot.
The American Rifles formed as the American Rifles in 1849 under the Order of the United Americans, which was related to the Known Nothing Party. The American Rifles were formed to counter the militia companies being formed in New York City by foreign immigrants. To show that they were American and anti immigrant its choice of uniforms reflected this. The 71st adopted "American style uniforms" of the working class. In 1853 elite militia units often wore long tailed coatees (see the "silk-stocking 7th New York who wore coatees) and foreign born militia units often wore European style uniforms. In 1853 the simple frock coat was considered a working man's uniform. But as one can see here The American Guards still wanted to look impressive. In 1857 The American Guard switched to more modern caps. At the start of the Civil War fancy militia regiments where dropping the coatee and adopting the frock coat while many militia units who considered themselves "American working class" units were starting to wear blue or gray roundabout style jackets. The 7th Regiment of New York helped spearhead the drive by some militia units to look "American". Some militia units who were anti-immigrant adopted Continental style uniforms to demonstrate they were "Americans". Care should be used when viewing the wearing of Continental style uniforms as an anti-immigrant symbol because some militia units in 1851 adopted this style of uniform for the 75th anniversary of the American Revolution
The American Guards enlisted for 90 days at the start of the Civil War and were considered a well trained unit as can be seen by the fact they were selected to accompanied the New York fire Zouaves when they captured Alexandria Virginia, the first major Confederate town to fall to the Union. They went on to fight at the First Battle of Bull Run. Called to active service again during the Gettysburg Campaign they held Harrisburg and after the battle hurried back to New York to help quell the Draft Riot.