Uniforms Civil War use of Mexican American War 1839 Pattern Forage Caps (Wheel Caps).

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Brev. Brig. Gen'l
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The 1839 Pattern Forage Caps were still popular with many militia units at the start of the Civil War. This style of forage caps were seen in many early Civil War images and even some images from later in the War. So were these 1839 Pattern Forage Caps obsolete by the start of the Civil War?

The 1839 Pattern Forage Caps came in three basic types, but all were simular. Some of the ones worn by militia companies wore this came without the fold down rear flap. The "Type I" looked archaic and the "Type II" and "Type III) were a bit dated looking, but were they so outdated that they were no longer practical? One could argue that simular styles of caps were worn by European and non European armies for almost a century after the Civil War. I do understand that the more modern forage caps and kepis were considered more stylish at the start of the Civil War, but I am not certain that these were any more practical than the 1839 Pattern style forage caps.

Any thoughts on the Civil War use of 1839 Pattern Forage Caps?
 
The 1839 Pattern Forage Caps were still popular with many militia units at the start of the Civil War. This style of forage caps were seen in many early Civil War images and even some images from later in the War. So were these 1839 Pattern Forage Caps obsolete by the start of the Civil War?

The 1839 Pattern Forage Caps came in three basic types, but all were simular. Some of the ones worn by militia companies wore this came without the fold down rear flap. The "Type I" looked archaic and the "Type II" and "Type III) were a bit dated looking, but were they so outdated that they were no longer practical? One could argue that simular styles of caps were worn by European and non European armies for almost a century after the Civil War. I do understand that the more modern forage caps and kepis were considered more stylish at the start of the Civil War, but I am not certain that these were any more practical than the 1839 Pattern style forage caps.

Any thoughts on the Civil War use of 1839 Pattern Forage Caps?
Photos or drawings of these caps would be helpful as we could see if any show up in early CW photos.
 
Photos or drawings of these caps would be helpful as we could see if any show up in early CW photos.
True it would be helpful but I am worried about copy right material. Some of the images of these are from books.

It also appears that this general style of caps were popular with Civil War era teamsters and workers.
 
It is doubtful that any of the caps seen in use during 1861-1865 were actual "1839 pattern US Army forage caps." The US Army in the pre-war period did not produce a surplus of clothing. the regimental commanders turned in an annual estimate of clothing required for their units, and that quantity was exactly what was produced at the Schuylkill arsenal at Philadelphia. The '39 forage cap was officially obsolete from 1851. There evidently was some surplus from the War with Mexico, but the last of these forage caps were issued to US troops in the early 1850s.

However, the blue cloth cap with round crown was a popular citizen's cap of the period too. Like these fellows, ca. 1845:
1622500112993.png
1622500378246.png
1622501208757.png

1622501329531.png


And the military use of the type in the militia was not uncommon. Like this PA militia unit in the 1840s (1st Company of State Fencibles of Philadelphia). Given the militia had to procure their own uniforms, the caps, if not custom made, were likely just the common style sold by merchants in the period.
1622500229551.png



As to their being "obsolete," by 1861 that depended. They were obsolete to the US Army, but were still worn by some uniformed Militia companies throughout the country. The French kepi was already the fashion among the volunteer militia, and among the early war volunteers, but as the volunteer units composing the forces largely uniformed themselves, and if a volunteer militia company wore the old style into active service with the CS Army. Like the Perote Guards, Co. D, 1st Alabama; here's one of their officers in uniform at Pensacola (blue), 1861:
1622500690498.png

Rebs at Pensacola, 1861: This fellows' has a colored band, so appears made military:
1622499964938.png


Here's a militia company at Sheboygan, Wisconsin in 1863 in common dress, including in many cases the common citizen's cap:

1622502322512.png



When the CS Army commenced producing clothing for the CS Army in quantity in late 1862, it generally included "forage caps" of the official "kepi" pattern. This did not mean the soldiers universally wore them. They evidently preferred slouch hats, but look at this group of Rebs captured at Five Forks, VA in 1865: Here's a Johnny wearing a cap of this style in April, 1865.

1622499871328.png


Cheers,

Jesse Marshall,
Hernando, FL
 
It is doubtful that any of the caps seen in use during 1861-1865 were actual "1839 pattern US Army forage caps." The US Army in the pre-war period did not produce a surplus of clothing. the regimental commanders turned in an annual estimate of clothing required for their units, and that quantity was exactly what was produced at the Schuylkill arsenal at Philadelphia. The '39 forage cap was officially obsolete from 1851. There evidently was some surplus from the War with Mexico, but the last of these forage caps were issued to US troops in the early 1850s.

However, the blue cloth cap with round crown was a popular citizen's cap of the period too. Like these fellows, ca. 1845:
View attachment 402602View attachment 402604View attachment 402607
View attachment 402609

And the military use of the type in the militia was not uncommon. Like this PA militia unit in the 1840s (1st Company of State Fencibles of Philadelphia). Given the militia had to procure their own uniforms, the caps, if not custom made, were likely just the common style sold by merchants in the period.
View attachment 402603


As to their being "obsolete," by 1861 that depended. They were obsolete to the US Army, but were still worn by some uniformed Militia companies throughout the country. The French kepi was already the fashion among the volunteer militia, and among the early war volunteers, but as the volunteer units composing the forces largely uniformed themselves, and if a volunteer militia company wore the old style into active service with the CS Army. Like the Perote Guards, Co. D, 1st Alabama; here's one of their officers in uniform at Pensacola (blue), 1861:
View attachment 402605
Rebs at Pensacola, 1861: This fellows' has a colored band, so appears made military:
View attachment 402599

Here's a militia company at Sheboygan, Wisconsin in 1863 in common dress, including in many cases the common citizen's cap:

View attachment 402616


When the CS Army commenced producing clothing for the CS Army in quantity in late 1862, it generally included "forage caps" of the official "kepi" pattern. This did not mean the soldiers universally wore them. They evidently preferred slouch hats, but look at this group of Rebs captured at Five Forks, VA in 1865: Here's a Johnny wearing a cap of this style in April, 1865.

View attachment 402598

Cheers,

Jesse Marshall,
Hernando, FL
Thank you for posting this. There is some interesting details and it provided me food for thought.
 
Here's a picture of an Arkansan wearing the style, though I highly doubt its surplus. Seeing how common the similar citizen version was, I'd say it would be easy to militarize the pattern and more than a few people who could make it dang near anywhere.

Private William Shores, 6th Arkansas Infantry:
Pvt William Shores 6th Ark Inf.png
 
It is doubtful that any of the caps seen in use during 1861-1865 were actual "1839 pattern US Army forage caps." The US Army in the pre-war period did not produce a surplus of clothing. the regimental commanders turned in an annual estimate of clothing required for their units, and that quantity was exactly what was produced at the Schuylkill arsenal at Philadelphia. The '39 forage cap was officially obsolete from 1851. There evidently was some surplus from the War with Mexico, but the last of these forage caps were issued to US troops in the early 1850s.

However, the blue cloth cap with round crown was a popular citizen's cap of the period too. Like these fellows, ca. 1845:
View attachment 402602View attachment 402604View attachment 402607
View attachment 402609

And the military use of the type in the militia was not uncommon. Like this PA militia unit in the 1840s (1st Company of State Fencibles of Philadelphia). Given the militia had to procure their own uniforms, the caps, if not custom made, were likely just the common style sold by merchants in the period.
View attachment 402603


As to their being "obsolete," by 1861 that depended. They were obsolete to the US Army, but were still worn by some uniformed Militia companies throughout the country. The French kepi was already the fashion among the volunteer militia, and among the early war volunteers, but as the volunteer units composing the forces largely uniformed themselves, and if a volunteer militia company wore the old style into active service with the CS Army. Like the Perote Guards, Co. D, 1st Alabama; here's one of their officers in uniform at Pensacola (blue), 1861:
View attachment 402605
Rebs at Pensacola, 1861: This fellows' has a colored band, so appears made military:
View attachment 402599

Here's a militia company at Sheboygan, Wisconsin in 1863 in common dress, including in many cases the common citizen's cap:

View attachment 402616


When the CS Army commenced producing clothing for the CS Army in quantity in late 1862, it generally included "forage caps" of the official "kepi" pattern. This did not mean the soldiers universally wore them. They evidently preferred slouch hats, but look at this group of Rebs captured at Five Forks, VA in 1865: Here's a Johnny wearing a cap of this style in April, 1865.

View attachment 402598

Cheers,

Jesse Marshall,
Hernando, FL
Excellent analysis sir.
 
Thank you for posting this. There is some interesting details and it provided me food for thought.

Excellent analysis sir.
This style of cap was common among citizens even long before the US army adopted them for a forage cap in 1839, and as noted remained popular even after the Army ditched the type in '51. I bring this up because calling them an "1839 forage cap" etc. is sort of like calling a modern ball cap a "Cap, Man's Hot Weather" after the Olive Green shade 507 caps worn by the Army in the 1960s:

1622516625469.png



From "The Whole Art of Dress" (1830), are illustrated the most common cap styles, generally made of cloth:

1622516428862.png



Here is a pattern for the type from the "Workwoman's Guide" first published in London in 1838;

1622516093748.png


This is a remarkably neat cap, and may be worn by either a boy or a man; it is generally made of cloth.

The circle at the top is five nails (11.25 inches) across, [35.34 inch circumference] the side part is cut out of a circle in the same manner as that of fig. 45, the outer circle (diameter) being five nails (11.25” diameter) across, and the inner one two nails (4.5 inches diameter; or 14.14" circumference); this circle is divided into four pieces; the band, fig. 56, is one nail and a quarter (2 13/16”) broad, and eleven nails (24.75 inches) long before it is sewed up; the peak, fig. 55, is generally made of patent leather; it is part of a circle, five nails (11.25 inches) across, and is one nail and a quarter deep (2 and 13/16 inches) at the broadest part.

In making up, the circle is first lined with flannel and then with silk; it is stretched over a strong but not very thick wire at the edge, to keep it in shape, and a piping of cloth put on all round; the sides, fig. 54, are then lined with soft leather, and sewed to the circle on the wrong side, before being joined together; the seams are next sewed up, and a thin hoop of whalebone put at the bottom of these sides, just where the band is to be joined on, round the head; the band is firmly stitched to it, which band is also lined with thin, but not very pliable leather; the peak is then put on; a lining of leather one nail and a quarter [2 13/16 inches] deep is sewed in the inside, to the inner part of which, a piece of silk is attached, with a string-case and cord to draw it up to the size of the head. Sometimes a band of black velvet, or of silver or gold lace is laid upon the cloth one, sometimes it is left quite plain. The strap under the chin is of patent leather, fastened at the side with a small buckle.



These were evidently just known as "cloth caps" in the Civil War period:

From the Daily Forest City, Cleveland, OH, Sept. 27, 1853:
1622517166997.png


Daily Intelligencer, Wheeling, VA, 1-8-1853:
1622517225641.png



Or in the cases of the oil-cloth ones, a "glazed cap."

Alexandria Gazette, VA, 1-5-1853:
1622517610356.png

1622517716798.png


Cheers,

J. Marshall,
Hernando, FL.
 
This style of cap was widely use by workmen in the years leading up to the start of the Civil War. Some militia units wore it as a practical fatigue cap when the marched off to war in 1861. I am uncertain if it was a better fatigue cap than a standard issued forage cap or not. I am thinking the US Army went with the forage cap not because the issue forage cap was more practical but probably because the forage cap was considered more stylish. The kepi was probably less practical than either the wheel cap or forage cap but was considered more stylish than both of them.
 
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