Forage cap, fatigue cap , or cap?

[major bill]

At the time of the Civil War the US Army used the term 'forage cap' for a cap worn for fatigue duties. The Army had used the term 'fatigue cap' off and on prior to the Civil War. The average soldier probably just called them caps.

The term 'forage cap' appear to be British in origin. Other European nations used different styles of fatigue caps and used a variety of name for fatigue headgear. The Civil War era forage caps were based on Austrian Army fatigue caps. When discussing Civil War caps we should probably use the term forage cap, but I see kepi often used for the forage cap. Was kepi a term commonly used during the Civil War? Should we limit our use of 'kepi'?

As a side note the Civil War era US Marine Corps used the term 'fatigue cap' and not the term 'forage cap'

 

[RedRover]

From the 1821 the Army provided inexpensive "forage caps."

Seth Eastman, USMA class of 1829, made the following sketch during his tenure that likely depicts that forage cap:

These were replaced in 1825 by a more ornate undress cap called a "chakos" to be worn in lieu of "foraging caps."

A board of officers complained the chakos was unsuitable for active service, and suggested a change to a simple forage cap...

In 1832 the Army adopted a new "forage cap" of lightweight black leather.

In 1839, a new pattern "forage cap" of blue cloth adopted.

From 1851-58, there was no official "forage cap." The Uniform cap was intended for universal wear (though old pattern forage caps were still provided where available evidently).



In 1858, the Army adopted a new "forage cap" of blue cloth (The shape used in the war). From the 1861 Regulations:

From Billing's "Hardtack and Coffee" he refers to it as the forage cap...

Leander Stillwell just calls them "caps," and as the regulation uniform headgear was at that time the black hat, there's no confusion.

C.W. Dennison observed in 1865 that the US Army forage cap was a shabby imitation of the French kepi.

It strikes me that everyone was aware the regulation forage cap was in some imitation of the French kepi, but saw no need in imitating the French language too.


In the same period, it would appear that Marines did not do much in the way of foraging, because their undress headwear was designated "fatigue caps" for decades before the war, and during the war too. From the uniform of 1859.

Many volunteer militia corps adopted similar caps. From a description of the South Carolina troops at Charleston, April 21, 1861, generally in caps "like the French kepi."...

It was the Confederates who officially described their uniform cap as the form of the French "kepi." From the CSA regulations:

Like the Yanks, the Johnnies seem to have been satisfied that they were caps.
From John Worsham, one of Jackson's foot cavalry, noting his company's uniform of '61:

From Carleton McCarthy...

 

[major bill]

It is interesting that from 1851 to 1858 the Army didn't have regulation forage caps, the Army just had 'caps'.

During the Civil War I have seen McDowell caps: McClellan forage caps, Chasseur caps, tall Chasseur caps, French cap, bummer caps, keppy, and other terms being used. In the end 'cap' is the more common term used but kepi was used when discussing short Chasseur caps.

I never did fully understand the difference between Fremont cap and a Bearugard cap. Both kind of look like a cross between the M1839 forage cap and a workman's cap.

 

[RedRover]

It is interesting that from 1851 to 1858 the Army didn't have regulation forage caps, the Army just had 'caps'.

During the Civil War I have seen McDowell caps: McClellan forage caps, Chasseur caps, tall Chasseur caps, French cap, bummer caps, keppy, and other terms being used. In the end 'cap' is the more common term used but kepi was used when discussing short Chasseur caps.

I never did fully understand the difference between Fremont cap and a Bearugard cap. Both kind of look like a cross between the M1839 forage cap and a workman's cap.

I think some of the distinctions mentioned were just marketing, either period, or by modern costume sutlers, etc.



The "Beauregard Cap" was very common among the Confederates evidently, but was more like a kepi than otherwise, or rather like the US Army forage cap.

Gen. Beauregard, 1861:

From the Charleston Courier, Oct. 7, 1861:

From "Our Women in the War"...

From May, 1862 at Charleston...

The Charlotte Observer (NC) of 2-18, 1934, includes some memories of John Flourney Ponder, who was serving as a cadet of the military school at Montgomery, AL during the inauguration of Jefferson Davis in February, 1861:

"Our uniform was not especially colorful at this time, but later, in March or April, 1861 when Beauregard took Fort Sumter our military school adopted the Beauregard cap as part of our uniform. they were made of light gray cloth with an elongated flexible top which folded over in front, having a round, vertical, flat space upon which could be placed the letters of various schools..." They wore these caps with gray uniforms with brass buttons. His description of the Beauregard Cap certainly suggests it is something like a US Army forage cap...

Here's Green Labuzan of the Alabama Corps of Cadets...

From a history of the Jews of Charleston...

From David Crenshaw Barrow:

Captain Wallace I. Delph noted that General Thomas J. Jackson frequently wore such a "Beauregard Cap;"

Augusta Chronicle, 9-18-1898.

General Evander M. Law confirms what is a Southern "Beauregard cap,"

(Southern Bivouac, 1887).

 

[major bill]

Thank you for the information about Bearugard caps. I wonder if when I added that to my database on caps, if I seen an image of a 'Beaurgard' cap that had been mislabeled. I think I need to update my database.

 

[7thWisconsin]

I think ¨forage cap¨ is a British term. The French called them a ¨bonnet de police.¨

 

[major bill]

I think ¨forage cap¨ is a British term. The French called them a ¨bonnet de police.¨

I do believe the term forage cap came from the British Army. There is an old myth that US forage caps were so called because soldiers would forage for food itemsand carry them back to camp. The forage comes from cavalry gathering forage for their hoses while wearing a fatigue cap.

 

[7thWisconsin]

And of course, calling it a ¨fatigue cap¨ comes from wearing it when on fatigue duties, i.e. non-combat ash and trash details like cutting and hauling wood, burning and burying garbage, etc. The forage cap was more comfortable than whatever tall crazy headgear was in fashion at the time, and also cheaper. The big crazy headgear could be protected and saved for when it really mattered: dress parade and battle. The story goes that the forage cap was first fashioned by the regimental tailor by using the fabric from worn out regimental coat sleeves. So the bady of the cap has the coat color, and usually there was a cloth badge or tab made from the facing color. I don´t believe we have any 18th century forage caps extant, so when you see reproductions, they´re all a little speculative.

 

[Package4]

And of course, calling it a ¨fatigue cap¨ comes from wearing it when on fatigue duties, i.e. non-combat ash and trash details like cutting and hauling wood, burning and burying garbage, etc. The forage cap was more comfortable than whatever tall crazy headgear was in fashion at the time, and also cheaper. The big crazy headgear could be protected and saved for when it really mattered: dress parade and battle. The story goes that the forage cap was first fashioned by the regimental tailor by using the fabric from worn out regimental coat sleeves. So the bady of the cap has the coat color, and usually there was a cloth badge or tab made from the facing color. I don´t believe we have any 18th century forage caps extant, so when you see reproductions, they´re all a little speculative.

In actuality the Forage Cap comes from the French, where if my memory is correct, it was a soft cloth cap meant for foraging. The French term in the 15th/16th century meant to scout, pillage/destroy. We had a thread on this when quite a few thought that the M1858 forage cap was to carry forage. The originals only have two strands of thread holding the strap/button to the body, certainly not practical for carrying any weight.

The M1858 Forage cap actually came from the Utah Expedition where the soldiers beat the M1851 shako to the point of total compliance the stiffeners were destroyed, and the cap sat on the head just like its descendent.

 

[Package4]

At the time of the Civil War the US Army used the term 'forage cap' for a cap worn for fatigue duties. The Army had used the term 'fatigue cap' off and on prior to the Civil War. The average soldier probably just called them caps.

The term 'forage cap' appear to be British in origin. Other European nations used different styles of fatigue caps and used a variety of name for fatigue headgear. The Civil War era forage caps were based on Austrian Army fatigue caps. When discussing Civil War caps we should probably use the term forage cap, but I see kepi often used for the forage cap. Was kepi a term commonly used during the Civil War? Should we limit our use of 'kepi'?

As a side note the Civil War era US Marine Corps used the term 'fatigue cap' and not the term 'forage cap'

No, a kepi and forage cap are two very different pieces of headgear. The forage cap is a high crown affair with the disk set on top of the cap. A kepi is a jauntier lower crown piece of headgear with a rebated crown or disk on top.

Both sides had forage caps, but they were standard issue with the Federal Army, while the kepi was standard issue for the CS. There were many different pieces of headgear utilized on both sides, but from an issue perspective the M1858 Forage Cap North and the kepi South were prolific. Slouch hats became more prolific in the South as the war went on.

 

[Package4]

I do believe the term forage cap came from the British Army. There is an old myth that US forage caps were so called because soldiers would forage for food itemsand carry them back to camp. The forage comes from cavalry gathering forage for their hoses while wearing a fatigue cap.

forage (v.)

early 15c., "to plunder, pillage," from forage (n.) or from French fourrager. Meaning "hunt about for" is from 1768. Related: Foraged; foraging.

So an easy to wear soft cap would make sense if performing the above.

 

[7thWisconsin]

Here´s an amazingly detailed essay on forage caps with really good references.

British Army Forage or Fatigue Caps during the War of 1812

Article on forage caps in the British Army during the War of 1812.

www.warof1812.ca

 

[Package4]

Despech Issue #3: The Reserve Companies of the Départements

napoleon

www.napoleon-series.org

The paper indicates that as early as 1805 French called their soft caps, forage caps and as stated above forage in French is different than today's meaning. I have other research showing earlier references to French forage caps, but it currently eludes me.

The article even shows that the circular gives the precise measurements to make the "bag" forage cap and other uniform articles.

IMHO it is the French who influenced our military more than any other foreign entity and thus the US term forage cap came from that French influence.