Uniform of the Charleston, South Carolina "regiment of reserves".

major bill

Brev. Brig. Gen'l
Forum Host
Joined
Aug 25, 2012
Many home guard units formed in both the North and South. Some had uniforms, some did not. Here is the 'uniforms' of the Charleston, South Carolina "regiment of reserves". They were formed in late 1861 to defend Charleston, many of the members were beyond the allowable age for active service. Alan H. Archambault in 1861: Observations on Home Guard Uniforms in New York City (Military Collector & Historian 'Journal of the Company of Military Historian, Vol. 73, No.2)

"According to this newspaper account their "uniform is simple and dignified, consisting of a black slouch hat, bearing on the side a cockade of a palmetto leaf, and citizens' dress of black or other dark color, to which the cross belts and metal equipments give a sufficiently military air..." Their weapons is not given.

Many cities, both North and South, had these types of civilian home guard units. Civilian clothing with matching caps or hats were an affordable alternative to military uniforms. Simple matching shirts with dark or light trousers were also seen. I have seen where simple colored cloth were worn on arms as an alternative way to show affiliation to these civilian defense Corps. A lack of proper arms was a common issue.
 
I don't remember reading anything about the uniforms worn by the South Carolina reserve units.
From the description, some may have been similar to the one worn by Edmund Ruffin.
 
Back
Top