Both Firemen and Militiamen.

major bill

Brev. Brig. Gen'l
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Prior to the Civil War some of the fire companies of both the North and South not only responded to fires but they also functioned as militia companies. Before the Civil War fire companies often had parade uniforms and fatigue uniforms so sometime they wore their fireman fatigue uniforms as both a firefight uniforms and as militia company uniforms. Some had two types of uniforms.

This practice helped to supply both the North and South with additional soldiers with at least some military training at the start of the Civil War. Some regiments were formed almost entirely from fireman. Some of these regiments attempted to keep some connection to their old fire company.

During the Civil War many fire companies also engaged in military training and functioned as home guard companies. Their uniforms verified, firemen uniforms, militia uniforms and even civilian costumes.

Here is an example of a pre Civil War fire company that also engaged in military training before the Civil War.

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The Charleston Phoenix Fire Engine Company in 1826 and also became The Phoenix Rifles, in 1860 which was a militia company. . During the war they were incorporated in the 17th South Carolina Infantry Regiment
 
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As firemen the Phoenix Fire Engine Company wore black New York style fire hats with an eagle on the front, grey overcoats, black pants and red belts.

As the Phoenix Rifles they wore bluish-gray frock coats with black trim, bluish-gray trousers and blue cloth caps with shite "PR" on the front. They had a blood red flag with Palmetto and Lone Star on it. Note the silver lace stripes and the shoulder for a first lieutenant, the captain had three stripes on his shoulder.
 
Now one form my home state of Michigan


The Continental Rifles a. k. a. Trenton Rangers a.k.a. Trenton Guard, a.k.a. Trenton Volunteers (Detroit or Trenton, Wayne County) was formed in 1861 from the Detroit Continental Engine Company # 8. In 1861 the Detroit Continental Engine Company were still wearing their fire company uniforms, which they had adopted in 1855. These uniforms were based on 1776 Continental Army uniforms. In 1858 they obtained new cockade hat to replace their old hats. The new hat retained the shield and coat-of-arms with a figure 8 in gold while the old hats had 76 below the coat of arms. The new hats were more authentic than the older their hat and also more conformable.https://civilwartalk.com/#_edn1 In 1859, this fire company had formed a military company, or more precisely, it was both a fire company and militia company. It is unknown how long the 1859 militia company lasted. They likely wore their fireman uniforms for militia duties.

As an engine company, they also wore gilt helmets. In addition to their above-mentioned colonial uniforms, this engine company also wore fatigue uniforms of red shirts, black pants and fireman’s helmets.

An 1860 article give the uniforms of the Continental Engine Company #8 as three-cornered hats, blue coats with gilt epaulettes, buff vests, buff colored knee breeches, white stocking and low shoes with silver buckles, shirts with ruffled chests and cuffs. From their name it would appear that, they may have worn uniforms based on Continental Army uniforms. It is possible that they continued to wear their firemen’s Continental Army uniforms in lieu of acquiring militia uniforms.

After the start of the Civil War the Trenton Rangers a.k.a. Trenton Volunteers a.k.a. Continental Rifles (Trenton, Wayne County) were formed from the some of the men of the Continental Engine Company No. 8 (Detroit). When the Trenton Volunteer became part of the 4th Michigan Volunteer Infantry Regiment they received state issued gray uniforms.



https://civilwartalk.com/#_ednref1 The Fourth in Detroit, Detroit Free Press, July 7 1858, p. 1, col. 2.
 
Formed from New York firemen. From American Civil War Zouaves by Robin Smith with the art from Bill Younghusband.

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I invite anyone to add their state's brave firemen/soldiers. Here are a few more Michigan firemen.

The Germania Fire Company # 1 (Monroe, Monroe County) began holding target practices soon after the Civil War had started, they soon fancied themselves a home guard unit or more precisely a fire company and home guard company. The Germania Fire Company may have continued to wear their fireman’s uniforms for military training, but detail on their fireman’s uniforms remains undiscovered. After a short time they probably stopped being a home guard company and reverted back to a normal fire company.

The Alert Rife Company (Hudson, Lenawee County) in 1861 practiced military drill and probably viewed themselves as a home guard company. There is no indication that they ever attempted to secure any uniforms other than their fireman uniforms. No information has been discovered for what their fireman uniforms were.

Fire Company #1 (Adrian, Lenawee County) became a home guard company in 1861. As a home guard company, they appeared to have continued to go by their Fire Company #1 name. Basically they were a fire company that could be called upon to defend the community. They probably continued to wear their fireman uniforms for militia duties. No details on what their fireman’s uniform has yet been found.

The Protection Engine Company # 2 (Adrian, Lenawee County) in1861 also acted as a type of home guard company. They use their original name for both fire and militia purposes. There is no indication that they adopted military uniforms and they may have continued to wear their fireman uniforms. No information on what they wore as fireman has been found, but these were likely similar to other period firemen uniforms which at this period consisted of shirts or firemen shirts with fireman hats or caps with waterproof covers. Some fireman during this period wore short jackets instead of firemen shirts.

Sixth War Fire Zouaves (Detroit, Wayne County) in September 1862 the firemen in the Sixth Ward form a home guard company. It is not certain that they obtained Zouave uniforms or perhaps wore their firemen outfits. Captain W.B. Paris was the company commander
 
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Another representation of the 11th New York Volunteer or 1st New York Fire Zouaves. He is the second man from the left. This one is by Ron Field to illustrate his article New Yorkers in Grey. You are a uniform hero if you can name the other four well-known uniforms. No fair if you look at the illustration's inserts showing buttons.


firemen 4.jpg
 
72nd Pennsylvania Infantry-The Philadelphia Fire Zouaves.
 
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