Generals belt

[brettw]

I recently joined site and this is my first question maybe you guys could help me out with. I have seen a few different colorized photos of civil war generals striped belts. Were there several different colors of striped generals belts like red , blue and black or did confederate general wear different colors then the federal generals? Any info on this topic would be appreciated. Thanks

 

[Billw12280]

Welcome from Columbus, Ohio. There were many different types and colors (I believe different colors were for different branches- red for artillery, yellow for cavalry, etc.) of belts for officers. I do not recall the actual regulations at this moment but I'm sure somebody will be able to give more information. I do know they ranged from pretty normal to rather fancy. See the below picture of General Winfield Scott for a more extreme example.

This post talks briefly about confederate generals wearing federal belts and buckles early on:

https://civilwartalk.com/threads/confederate-generals-belts-and-buckles.124675/

I'm sure somebody will be along soon to provide more detailed information.

 

[Patrick H]

Hi there and welcome. That is some photo of Gen. Scott, isn't it?

 

[Billw12280]

Hi there and welcome. That is some photo of Gen. Scott, isn't it?

Good Old Fuss and Feathers Scott always looked so angry in his pictures didn't he? I definitely would not have wanted to mess up in front of him.

 

[7th Mississippi Infantry]

I recently joined site and this is my first question maybe you guys could help me out with. I have seen a few different colorized photos of civil war generals striped belts. Were there several different colors of striped generals belts like red , blue and black or did confederate general wear different colors then the federal generals? Any info on this topic would be appreciated. Thanks

Great first question !

The officer corp of both sides were responsible for providing (buying) their own uniforms.

The vast majority complied with the established military rules of the era regarding trim or "piping" :

Short answer:

Blue for infantry
Red for Artillery
Yellow for Cavalry

Belts or more likely sashes, are a different topic.

I'm sure our uniform experts will elaborate.

 

[mofederal]

Hello and welcome to the forum from Southeast Missouri. Some generals did, but I can think of two exceptions. George A. Custer and Gold Braid Dudley. I'm sure there were others. who flaunted convention and the regulations.

 

[brettw]

Thanks. I had heard in the past generals didn't have uniforms and trim according to division but really was t sure. I figured a general was just a general to all branches.

 

[LtRusell]

Good Old Fuss and Feathers Scott always looked so angry in his pictures didn't he? I definitely would not have wanted to mess up in front of him.

He does look angry. Might have been missing his terrapin. From what I understand it was his favorite meal. I would have thought it high in protein, low carb though.

And a welcome from Florida to you.

 

[Package4]

I recently joined site and this is my first question maybe you guys could help me out with. I have seen a few different colorized photos of civil war generals striped belts. Were there several different colors of striped generals belts like red , blue and black or did confederate general wear different colors then the federal generals? Any info on this topic would be appreciated. Thanks

It really was up to the individual in terms of belts, Lee and Longstreet wore their Federal officer's belt for a time, Beauregard wore a Gold and black striped belt, while Bragg wore a cream colored belt with black trim. Generals could get away with pretty much anything, take Custer's uniform as an extreme.........

 

[JOHN42768]

Welcome, enjoy

 

[Robert Gray]

Confederate General John Bell Hood had an interesting belt and plate.

 

[brettw]

Thats an awesome belt. I actually saw it in person recently at the museum of confederacy in richmond. Thanks for posting