A Butterfly Hussar...

[Private Watkins]

A quarter plate tintype of a member of the 3rd New Jersey Cavalry known as the "Butterfly Hussars" dressed in the distinctive uniform worn by this regiment. The regiment was granted special permission for this distinctive dress which helped to bolster its recruitment during late 1863 and early 1864. The jacket was dark blue trimmed in a knotwork of yellow braid which ran across the front, along the cuffs and on the collar which would have been orange. The cap was this visorless oddity which tilted to the left as is clearly evident here. On the front of the cap was the numeral "3" surrounded by a laurel wreath. The trousers were a light blue with a wide stripe of yellow down the trouser seem. This particular example is identified as Samuel Bennett by an old period tag behind the velvet pad. Samuel would enlist with the regiment in late December, 1863 and serve up until the regiments eventual mustering out in August, 1865. They would see action in a number of battles such as Winchester, Five Forks, Appomattox and several others.
http://thecivilwarimageshop.com/Hard_Images.php

http://3rdnjcavalry.com/ArticleGuttman1.html

http://civilwartalk.com/threads/stumped-need-help-any-idea-on-what-kind-of-soldier-this-is.84520/

 

[major bill]

Hussar uniforms were some what popular in pre war militia companies. However the uniforms were expansive as was the horse equipment. The hussar companies were dying out by the start of the Civil War. Colorful Zouave uniforms seemed to have replace the fancy hussar uniforms in many companies.

 

[JOHN42768]

The button salesman sure sold over his quota on those shells.

 

[Yankeedave]

The button salesman sure sold over his quota on those shells.

Image having to shine them.