Uniforms Colorado uniforms.

[major bill]

Before the Civil War there were no territorial militia force in Colorado Territory. The Territory of Jefferson did have two semi-legal militia companies, the Jefferson Rangers of Denver, and the the Denver Guards (mounted), however the uniforms of these two companies is not known. In the summer of 1861 Colorado Territory raised two independent companies for the 1st Infantry Regiment which were clothed by the Territory. Their uniform is unknown. Denver City raised two home guard companies. There is no information on if they were uniformed and if so, what they wore. In February of 1865 six companies (the 1st Regiment Colorado Volunteer Mounted Militia) were formed to guard the Overland Stage Route, but they apparently wore civilian clothing.

All Colorado volunteers for use by the US government were probably supplied with standard US uniforms.

So does anyone have information on the uniforms worn by Colorado militia companies?

 

[Brendan]

I would love to know this answer to this as well! Early war would have been wonky for sure. From the evidence I've seen, early in the war clothing was often simply seized from local shops in exchange for the infamous "Gilpin drafts" (govt IOUs), so you probably would have seen a lot of ready-made miners' clothing. I've seen some docs from Camp Weld in 1861 suggesting they had a stock of shirts and hats, but no details were provided. Gilpin's 1861 request for uniforms to Col Cooke at Fort Laramie were rejected. Co. H, 1st Colorado was meant to be a zouave unit, and Denver tailor Frank Davenport was contracted to make the uniforms, but it's unclear what he provided. There is this tantalizing photo of two members of the company who appear to wear light colored (gray?) kepis.

Here's the Rocky Mountain News commenting on the early 1st CO:

The men exhibit good proficiency in drill, and if uniformed would make a most excellent appearance. Uniforms throughout, are of course, out of the question and necessity has compelled [a] curious intermingling of [co]lors and costumes.
-Rocky Mountain News, 13 Jan 1862

To me, this seems to imply there may have been some locally-procured, company-level uniform items in the mix, but nothing standard. The 1st got their first real uniform issue at Fort Union, NM in March 1862.

Denver Public Library also has a great image of the Denver City Home Guard, in which there's no clear sign of uniforms:

 

[Brendan]

Regarding the pre-war Jefferson Rangers:

 

[major bill]

I would love to know this answer to this as well! Early war would have been wonky for sure. From the evidence I've seen, early in the war clothing was often simply seized from local shops in exchange for the infamous "Gilpin drafts" (govt IOUs), so you probably would have seen a lot of ready-made miners' clothing. I've seen some docs from Camp Weld in 1861 suggesting they had a stock of shirts and hats, but no details were provided. Gilpin's 1861 request for uniforms to Col Cooke at Fort Laramie were rejected. Co. H, 1st Colorado was meant to be a zouave unit, and Denver tailor Frank Davenport was contracted to make the uniforms, but it's unclear what he provided. There is this tantalizing photo of two members of the company who appear to wear light colored (gray?) kepis.
View attachment 390005

Here's the Rocky Mountain News commenting on the early 1st CO:


To me, this seems to imply there may have been some locally-procured, company-level uniform items in the mix, but nothing standard. The 1st got their first real uniform issue at Fort Union, NM in March 1862.

Denver Public Library also has a great image of the Denver City Home Guard, in which there's no clear sign of uniforms:
View attachment 390006

Both this images are interesting. I have see almost no information about militia uniforms in Colorado.

 

[major bill]

Regarding the pre-war Jefferson Rangers:

View attachment 390007

I had never seen this and it is very interesting. They appear to have went with uniforms based n U.S. Army uniforms but I wonder why the selected yellow trim?