General Tom Thumb's Uniforms...

[RedRover]

General Tom Thumb was one of the more popular stage stars of the 1860s. The stage name of Mr. Charles Stratton (a native of Connecticut) , the character had a vast wealth of military knowledge gained in campaigns across the globe, including service in the British Army.

Although his uniforms were theatrical, the general public during the war was widely familiar with them.

Many Union soldiers and citizens stopped to see his entertaining programs... He worked for P.T. Barnum.

Here's one of his uniform coats.

Here's another, somewhat more "Napoleonic."

Jacket and epaulettes worn by General Tom Thumb | V&A Explore The Collections

Jacket and epaulettes worn as Napoleon Bonaparte by Charles Stratton (1838-1883), known as General Tom Thumb

collections.vam.ac.uk

His wedding in early 1863 was one of the happier events of the country that year. Afterwards he was given a tour of the White House by President Lincoln. Even the Southern press congratulated the happy couple and celebrated a rare "great piece of news." From Augusta, GA.

The best man, shown at left, is "Commodore Nutt." During the War General Tom Thumb was joined on the stage by Commodore George Washington Nutt in full naval uniform...

 

[14NYSM]

"Commodore Nutt" ( George Washington Morrison Nutt) was buried in the family cemetery in Manchester, New Hampshire. Up until the early 1990s, when Ringling Bros, Barum & Baily circus toured in Manchester, some of the circus performers, especially the clowns, made a point to visit the grave out of respect.

Commodore Nutt - Wikipedia

en.wikipedia.org

 

[Nathan Stuart]

Those were interesting dynamics existing in the relationship between Tom Thumb, George Nott and P. T. Barnum, and then with the later inclusion of Lavinia Warren.

 

[RedRover]

Those were interesting dynamics existing in the relationship between Tom Thumb, George Nott and P. T. Barnum, and then with the later inclusion of Lavinia Warren.

President Lincoln was impressed, but thought he had Barnum's pantheon of great commanders beat.

 

[Nathan Stuart]

Although it might be viewed that Tom Thumb was being exploited by P. J. Barnum by being exhibited and paraded in a variety of colorful uniforms and costumes, the diminutive figure was apparently amply rewarded for his performances.

It's said the contemporary newspaper reporting of the marriage of Tom Thumb to Lavinia Warren in NY on Feb. 10, '63, provided a very welcome diversion for the disillusioned Northern public during a period devoid of any positive wartime news. (The significance of this event in the public psyche at the time is perhaps evidenced by the occurrence of Lincoln's White House reception for the couple shortly after their nuptials).

 

[RedRover]

Although it might be viewed that Tom Thumb was being exploited by P. J. Barnum by being exhibited and paraded in a variety of colorful uniforms and costumes, the diminutive figure was apparently amply rewarded for his performances.

General Thumb became one of the most popular actors in the world, and a substantially wealthy man. It is true that Barnum put him to work at a very young age, but he was doing stage performances at age 7 and up. In that era there were plenty of kids his age engaged in full time jobs on the farm and sometimes even in factories, so it was probably not considered particularly odd. For example, Mill girls of similar age were working over ten hours a day in that same period... As one noted later:

In later years, when Barnum was down on his luck at one point, the General loaned him money for a new start.

In one three years world tour, 1869-71, it was noted of him and his wife:

Some of his houses...

At Bridgeport, Conn.

In Middleborough, Mass.

I have seen reference that he also owned a steam powered yacht.

The public generally enjoyed both his company and performances. His wife said their adulation was not misplaced.