Help with 24th Massachusetts uniform

[Billw12280]

Can anybody point me in the right direction to find Massachusetts regulations for an early war unit? If everything works out I am hoping to put together a complete original uniform for an NCO from the 24th. I am looking for information on what rifles, uniforms, and equipment would have been issued to the unit in late 1861-1862.

 

[Package4]

Can anybody point me in the right direction to find Massachusetts regulations for an early war unit? If everything works out I am hoping to put together a complete original uniform for an NCO from the 24th. I am looking for information on what rifles, uniforms, and equipment would have been issued to the unit in late 1861-1862.

They were formed from the 4th Battalion Infantry (New England Guards) Springfield Rifled Musket and regulation Federal clothing. Source Todd p. 905

 

[Billw12280]

They were formed from the 4th Battalion Infantry (New England Guards) Springfield Rifled Musket and regulation Federal clothing. Source Todd p. 905

As always thank you! I thought this was all in one book but apparently I am missing volume 2. That's going on my Christmas list

 

[Package4]

As always thank you! I thought this was all in one book but apparently I am missing volume 2. That's going on my Christmas list

No problem!

 

[The Gael]

Here are a couple of images with a non-standard uniform. The first served in Company H and the second soldier in Company I.

 

[John Hartwell]

Here's a gaggle of officers of the 24th Mass., whose uniform appears to be more standard

[Wikipedia]​

The two enlisted men in the last post were doubtless wearing the uniforms of their pre-war militia organizations. In time, their uniform would have been replaced with the Federal Standard. How quickly, I don't know. There are many photos of enlisted personnel in the Regimental History, such as:

 

[Billw12280]

Thank you for the images, they are very helpful. The coat I was hoping to purchase ended up going to the Texas Civil War museum. I am still wanting to put together an early Massachusetts uniform display though. Hopefully I will find an early EM 9 button frock and/or a nice sack coat. I'll keep you all updated.

 

[Package4]

Here is a link to Chris Daley's research site, I loaned Chris an early private purchase enlisted frock to duplicate some years ago. Notice the difference in issued Vs private purchase, there is a lining and some limited padding in the private purchase, while an issue frock does not have an all around lining. This frock was from an early war MA unit that participated in early North Carolina campaigns, subsequently given to another soldier upon expiration of enlistment.

http://www.cjdaley.com/commercialenlistedcoat.htm

 

[Billw12280]

That is a very beautiful coat, thanks for sharing. I hope to have a complete uniform to share with you all by the end of this year.

 

[major bill]

I take it you are looking for what the 24th Massachusetts Infantry regiment wore, not what the Massachusetts uniform regulations were. He are two pages you might like.

"The 13th through 31st Massachusetts were issued federal-style uniforms consisting of dark coats and blouses, and either gray of light-blue pants." (p. 39 Rally Round the Flag Uniforms of the Union Volunteers of 1861 by Ron Field)

(As 24th Vol Inf Regt) June 1861: Springfield rifle muskets; US reg inf clothing. (p 905, American Military Equipage 1851 - 1872 Vol II State Forces, by Frederick P. Todd)

On page 37 Rally Round the Flag Uniforms of the Union Volunteers of 1861 by Ron Field is a photograph of George L. Tripp, Co A, New England Guards wearing the chasseur uniform adopted in August 1861. He wears a dark-blue coat trimmed with yellow tap, yellow shoulder knots, sky blue pantaloons trimmed with yellow, russet leather gaiters, and a shite cap trimmed with yellow. The chasseur dress was saved to dress occasions and was not worn after Co A, New England Guards joined the 24th Massachusetts in December 1861.