Old Continentals uniforms

[major bill]

Some of the oddest misinforms at the start of the Civil War were uniforms based on the uniforms worn by the Continental Army. The 75th anniversary of the American Revolution caused some militia companies to adopt the uniforms of the Continental Army. In some cities there was a a conscious expression of American nativism and some anti immigration militias were formed and a Coincidental style uniforms was a form of a political statement. This does not mean that all units that adapted this style were anti immigration. Some cities had fire departments wearing this style as well. The Putnam Phalanx of Hartford Connecticut were one of the more well know participant in wearing this style. The wearing of continental uniforms was very popular in the New England and North eastern States, but could be see in the South as well. The New Orleans Continental Guards capture Fort Pike in January of 1861 but had adopted a more practical field dress before they took the fort. The New Orleans Continental Guards may have reverted to their old dress Continental uniforms when they took part in the George Washington Birthday calibration. A few militia units continued to wear this style of uniforms until at least 1865.

The Putnam Phalanx of Hartford Connecticut

 

[major bill]

My question is for fighting fires? The turned up hats would be a great places for burning embers to collect.

 

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To be truthful many fire companies had dress uniforms for parades and fatigue uniforms for fighting fires. The same would be true for militia companies dress uniforms for parades and parties, fatigue uniforms for field duty. I never once wore my mess blues when I was in the field either.

 

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Without much effort I cam up with these from my data base. I am sure there are others. This style could be seen worn by home guards of older men in several Northern cities.

Morgan Continentals of Winchester Virginia
Putnam Phalanx, Hartford Connecticut
Albany Washington Continental, Albany New York
Union Continental of New York wore this style in 1863.
Syracuse Citizen Corps, Syracuse New York
The Battalion of Amoskeag Veterans, Amoskeag New Hampshire
Morehouse Guard, Jersey City, New Jersey
American Continental of New Jersey
Washington Continentals, New Jersey
Continental Guards of Philadelphia County Pennsylvania
New Orleans Continental Guards

 

[major bill]

another thread was discussing Continental uniforms so I bumped this older thread.