Uniforms US Regular Uniforms

[StephenColbert27]

Hi there,
A friend of mine who is also Civil War inclined was curious about the regulars. Obviously, the Iron Brigade was famous at least in part for their dress, in particular their regular army uniform and Hardee hats that made them distinctive from the rest of the generally kepi-wearing Army of the Potomac. Did regular US army regiments (like, say, the division of regulars that served in the East) generally wear the same uniforms as the Iron Brigade, or did they adopt the kepi like everyone else?

 

[7thWisconsin]

The Hardee hat was regulation throughout the war, and the regulars wore the frock coat and black hat as their dress uniform. You can see it in the photographs of the Gettysburg Address. In the field, they looked like everybody else, though: 4-button blouses and fatigue caps.

 

[johan_steele]

Hi there,
A friend of mine who is also Civil War inclined was curious about the regulars. Obviously, the Iron Brigade was famous at least in part for their dress, in particular their regular army uniform and Hardee hats that made them distinctive from the rest of the generally kepi-wearing Army of the Potomac. Did regular US army regiments (like, say, the division of regulars that served in the East) generally wear the same uniforms as the Iron Brigade, or did they adopt the kepi like everyone else?

US soldiers were issued both a forage cap and a dress hat. It was up to the Colonel what they wore on campaign.

Pre war and early war regulars also wore dark blue trousers but as the war went on they were issued the same sky blue trousers as everyone else. The Regulars though got first pick for the most part.

By the time of Gettysburg the Regulars pretty much looked the same as any other Regiment. Where they stood out was their discipline. There was very rarely a doubt that they were Regulars. They were proud of it and it showed in their dress, demeanor etc.

 

[The Ninth Ohio]

It is important also to make a distinction between the Old Army regulars and those of the New Army. The 15th, 16th, 18th and 19th US served out West in various commands and eventually their own separate brigade. Their officers made valiant attempts to enforce the same discipline and conform as rigidly to regulations as their eastern counterparts, but with varying success.

The book "That Body of Brave Men" details their service. One story that comes to mind is their dumping a chest of regulation dress shoulder scales in a river because they didn't want to carry them on campaign.

 

[tmorr]

It is important also to make a distinction between the Old Army regulars and those of the New Army. The 15th, 16th, 18th and 19th US served out West in various commands and eventually their own separate brigade. Their officers made valiant attempts to enforce the same discipline and conform as rigidly to regulations as their eastern counterparts, but with varying success.

The book "That Body of Brave Men" details their service. One story that comes to mind is their dumping a chest of regulation dress shoulder scales in a river because they didn't want to carry them on campaign.

That Body of Brave Men is a great read - anyone with interest in the Regulars should check it out. Wonderful insights into all facets of their service in the western theater.

 

[Dan Kohli]

Here are some examples of regulars and their uniforms. The group is the Liberty Rifles.
12th U.S. Infantry 1863

Silent Machines: 12th US Regulars after Gettysburg — The Liberty Rifles

An event hosted by the Liberty Rifles portraying the 12th US Regulars in June 1863. We’ll be on the original ground, recreating the regiment to scale, and obsessing over the details, taking no shortcuts, and making no excuses.

www.libertyrifles.org

Silent Machines — The Liberty Rifles

www.libertyrifles.org

They may have others
I will also look elsewhere for more examples.