The 4th Michigan Volunteer Infantry Regiment nicknamed the Bloody Fourth; mustered into federal service on June 19 1861 in Adrian Michigan. They left the state in gray uniforms.
They were also issued gray caped overcoats.
[ii] White leggings and brogan shoes were issued with the gray uniforms. The caps were made by S.A. Fuller.
[iii] The regiment received white Havelocks in May of 1861. Major Williams wore his Havelock until the Battle of Bull Run when a ball pasted through it.
[iv] The Barry Pioneer also indicates they received gray uniforms that were becoming and comfortable.
[v] The shirts for the 4th Regiment were from private sources; the shirt's color is not mentioned. Their canteens were made by W. S. Wilcox as were the cutlery and tin wear. W. H. Cleveland provided the regiment's haversacks.
[vi]
"We are to receive a uniform of blue. The one we now have is the same color as that of our enemies. In the battle field we would be just as liable to be cut down by friend as foe."
[vii] The Adrian company was still wearing their State issued uniforms when they receive new pants on August 3rd 1861. "Part of our uniforms have come, and the boys sport their blue pants this evening on dress parade. This is the first the boys have received from Uncle Sam."
[viii] The rest of their uniforms must have arrived soon after the pants because reportedly the 4th Regiment replaced gray uniforms with blue by August 4th 1861.
[ix] This likely consisted of dark blue flannel sack coats and dark blue trousers.
[x] In one letter a 4th Regiment man indicated it was a loose blouse of blue. For some time they retained their gray forage caps the use of Havelocks continued for some time after the regiment received its blue uniforms. . The state had issued company letters and these could have continued to be worn.
After the first Battle of Bull Run Captain De Golyer returned to Hudson obtain new recruits. De Golyer awarded a contract to Baker Shumway for providing these new recruits with shirts.
[xi] The normal practice was for the recruits to received complete uniforms at the Detroit Arsenal before the left the State to join their regiments in the field. The uniforms issued there would not necessarily match what their regiments were currently wearing.
The Hudson Company sent a box of castoff clothing back to Hudson in January of 1862 to include now unneeded gray uniforms.
[xii] On October 23 1861 they received dress coat, overcoats and blankets.
[xiii]
While still in Detroit some officers of the 4th Regiment wore India rubber garments for protection from the rain. The exact rain garments that were worn are not explained, but cap covers and rain coats were common among officers during the Civil War era.
Later in 1861 the 4th Regiment was photographed in their 'Zouave' uniforms. Please see other sources for this uniform. In October of 1861 they received dress coats, overcoats, drawers and winter blankets.
[xiv]
The Hecker's Band from Cleveland Ohio, was selected to be the regimental band for the 4th Infantry Regiment. The uniforms worn by them are not documented, but a photograph of the band exists. Although the image is not too clear, it shows them in dark coats or jackets possibly the nine-button infantry coat, dark trousers and 1839 style cap with light colored bands. Dark bow ties and light colored shirts are worn, with some of the men leaving the top few buttons open. The drum major was given a 5 foot long staff with gilt bands in the middle and at the bottom and the baton was top with a gilt globe head.
The uniform worn by the regimental chaplain, Dr. Henry N. Strong is not known but he wore a dress sword with brass scabbard and he carried a pocket revolver.
The regiment was originally issued 300 Springfield muskets. The state was attempting to secure additional arms for them and by July half of the regiment had arms, said to be a combination of Minnie muskets and "marine musket'.
[xv] Their first issued weapons were described as Minnie Muskets for Company A and marine muskets for the rest. The 4th Regiment only used these arms for training and departed the state without any arms. Both arms and accoutrements were transported to Detroit and turned over to the Quartermaster Department.
Soon after arriving at Harrisburg they were issued 'miserable old rusty' altered smooth-bore, bell barreled muskets.
[xvi] U.S. Model 1830 flintlock muskets altered to percussion locks, these were originally intended for the Pennsylvania militia.Along with the rusty muskets, the regiment also received belts, cartridge boxes and cap boxes.
[xvii].
In August 1861 Companies A and B which were the flank companies, exchanged their muskets for Minnie rifles. Another report states their antiquated rifles were quickly replaced with Springfield Model 1848 muskets on July 8 1861 (The muskets were probably U.S. percussion muskets Model 1842 as no Model 1848 musket exists. The news report must have confused the manufacture date with the model numbers). On June 11 1861, the 4th Regiment A Company and B Company were issued rifles while the remainder of the regiment received 320 Springfield Model 1848 muskets (likely U. S. percussion musket Model 1842). On August 18 1861 the Regiment had Harper's Ferry Muskets.
[xviii] In January 1862, the regiment exchanged its old muskets for new Springfield rifles with sword bayonets.
[xix] In early 1862, they were photographed with Springfield Model 1842 rifled muskets. In the photographs many men wear bowie knives and several wear pistols. In January 1862 they exchanged their old muskets for new Springfields with sword bayonets.
[xx]
"The Military Contract Board", Detroit Free Press, May 23 1861, p. 1, col.1.
[ii] Bertera, Martin N., and Kim Crawford, The 4th Michigan Infantry in the Civil War, Michigan State University Press, East Lansing, Mi., 2010, p. 12.
[iii] Adrian Daily Expositor, May 23 1861, p. 1, col. 4.
[iv] Lansing State Republican, August 31 1861.
[v] "Returned", Barry Pioneer (Hastings Mi.) June 7 1861, p. 3, col. 1.
[vi] "4th Regiment", Adrian Daily Expositor, May 23 1861, P.1, col. 4.
[vii]From Our Adrian Boys, Camp Mansfield July 27 61 signed by J.W.F., Adrian Democratic Enquirer, August 5 1861, p. 1, col. 1.
[viii] "From Our Adrian Boys, Camp Mansfield Aug 3 1861 signed J.A.A.", Adrian Democratic Enquirer, August 19 1861, p. 1, col. 1.
[ix] Adrian Daily Expositor, August 5 1861.Another letter confirms that by August 27 1861 the Fourth Infantry Regiment had replaced d their gray uniforms. "From the Fourth Regiment (exert from a private letter) Camp Union Aug. 18, signed A.C.", Detroit Daily Tribune, August 27 1861, p. 1, col. 1.
[x] Detroit Daily Advertiser, August 31 1861.
[xi] Hudson Gazette, September 21 1861, p. 3, col. 1.
[xii] Adrian Daily Expositor, January 20 1862.
[xiii] Adrian Daily Expositor, letter published November 2 1861.
[xiv] "From Our Adrian Boys, Minner's Hill Va. Oct. 25 1861, signed H.R.," Adrian Daily Expositor, Nov. 2 1861 p. 1, col. 1.
[xv] Bertera, Martin N., and Kim Crawford, The 4th Michigan Infantry in the Civil War, Michigan State University Press, East Lansing, Mi., 2010, p. 12.
[xvi] " Letter from Camp Wilcox Alexandria Jun 23 signed by Brent Kennedy", Jonesville Weekly Independent, July 11 1861, p., 2. col. 3. THIS DOES NOT MATCH THE PARA
[xvii] ""From the Fourth Regiment", Camp Cameron Harrisburg Sunday June 20, Detroit Daily Tribune morning ed., 1, July 4 1861, p. 4, col. 2. Our Fourth Regiment, Detroit Daily Advertise, p. 1, col. 1.
[xviii] "From the Fourth Regiment private Letter from Camp Union dated August 18 1861signed A.C.", Detroit Daily Tribune morning ed., August 27 1861, p.1, col. 1.
[xix] Detroit Free Press, January 21 1862.
[xx] "From the Fourth Regiment", Detroit Daily Tribune, January 21 1862, p. 1, col. 3
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