Were Army uniforms practical ?

[major bill]

The United States Army had developed reasonably practical uniforms for the Army prior to the Civil War. The truth of this can be seen in that no major changes in the uniforms occurred during the civil War. The sack coat and forage caps were very practical and even the frock coat and hat were not entirely unpractical. The Army overcoats were warm and functional. I am less sure of the mounted jacket. Post-Civil War uniforms were similar to the Civil War uniforms and it is noteworthy that the mounted jacket was discontinued after the war. I do have to wonder what the Army was thinking when it adopted the spiked helmets in the post-Civil War years. Because I have never worn the spiked helmet perhaps I am mistaken on how practical it really was. Do we have any Indian War re-enactors that have worn the spiked helmet?

 

[Major James B. Ronan II]

The United States Army had developed reasonably practical uniforms for the Army prior to the Civil War. The truth of this can be seen in that no major changes in the uniforms occurred during the civil War. The sack coat and forage caps were very practical and even the frock coat and hat were not entirely unpractical. The Army overcoats were warm and functional. I am less sure of the mounted jacket. Post-Civil War uniforms were similar to the Civil War uniforms and it is noteworthy that the mounted jacket was discontinued after the war. I do have to wonder what the Army was thinking when it adopted the spiked helmets in the post-Civil War years. Because I have never worn the spiked helmet perhaps I am mistaken on how practical it really was. Do we have any Indian War re-enactors that have worn the spiked helmet?

Bill, the spiked helmets were a dress uniform item, not worn in the field.

They were also military haute couture in the 19th century because Imperial Germany had replaced France as the leading continental land power. This style of helmet had horse hair plumes for mounted soldiers, too. Incidentally the shoulder straps worn by officers (to this day) and the kepi or forage cap were inspired by the French.

Another military fashion was the chapeau for dress; a hat with both sides of the brim turned up, decorated with ostrich feathers. Think the US Army wore them 'til 1911 and the US navy much longer.

 

[Drew]

The Union's 'Shoddy' Aristocracy

I'm not sure how reasonably practical this was....

 

[James B White]

The United States Army had developed reasonably practical uniforms for the Army prior to the Civil War. The truth of this can be seen in that no major changes in the uniforms occurred during the civil War. The sack coat and forage caps were very practical and even the frock coat and hat were not entirely unpractical. The Army overcoats were warm and functional. I am less sure of the mounted jacket. Post-Civil War uniforms were similar to the Civil War uniforms and it is noteworthy that the mounted jacket was discontinued after the war. I do have to wonder what the Army was thinking when it adopted the spiked helmets in the post-Civil War years. Because I have never worn the spiked helmet perhaps I am mistaken on how practical it really was. Do we have any Indian War re-enactors that have worn the spiked helmet?

Good question and I've wondered about that. Thank you for bringing this up! The CW-era uniforms, especially the sack coat, seem the pinnacle of comfort and practicality to me, compared to earlier ones (not as familiar with later ones), and they echo a civilian emphasis on looseness and practicality coming about in the 1850s too as the looser-cut sack coat replaced the tight-sleeved paletots, and even the frock coat was more loosely cut in the sleeves than the tighter frock and tail coats of earlier. Same for more loosely fitting trousers. The only thing I'd claim was the worst for practicality was the kepi or forage cap. Yuck. Sunburned ears are the least of one's worries. But add a wide-brimmed slouch hat like western troops did, and you're good to go in all weather.

Was it just luck that the CW happened to occur at a time that fashion was giving away to practicality? Or were the before and later uniforms really just as comfortable in their day and the difference was only an illusion? I've wondered how War of 1812 reenactors feel about their uniforms--for land use, comparing apples to apples, since I'm not sure if things might be different on shipboard. But the War of 1812 uniform has always looked particular uncomfortable to me. And even Mexican war reenactors--how do those uniforms compare?

There's also the influence of climate. In the humid, cold-then-hot east, wool had to be the fiber of choice. Did it differ out west or in Mexico? Were there problems where a uniform was designed for one climate, then worn to a war in another?

Again, thanks for asking, and I'll quit rambling and read with curiosity the answers from people who know about this sort of thing.

 

[major bill]

Post civil War the Army had significant uniforms problems with both very hot weather and very cold weather. eventually practical uniforms for both were adopted. The Civil War was not fought in the extreme cold and the short comings of the overcoats were not discovered until after the war. The Civil War wool trousers were probably not the best design for the deep south, but the wool trousers were acceptable in most of the south.

 

[E_just_E]

Practical? Depends. There was some uniformity, but there was not much uniformity. Red and baby blue Zuave uniforms with pantaloons were not too practical. Limited fabric choice back then, and wool was better than cotton. Really, I think that practicality was a low concern.

but definitely more practical than this:

Expired Image Removed

 

[major bill]

Although the Army provided some Zouave uniforms, they were not designed by the Army nor adopted by the Army. The Army did give in to the desires of the volunteers who wanted Zouave uniforms. It is interesting that the Army provided some Sharpshooters with green uniforms that by the end of the war the Sharpshooters were in standard blue uniforms. After the Civil War it would be a long time until the Army issued green uniforms again.

 

[TinCan]

Major Ronan,
I'm sure I've seen a picture of General Shafter of Spanish-American war fame in a white "pith" helmet. Was this issue or an item that officers could purchase for themselves?

 

[Poor Private]

Officers bought and designed their own uniforms. Take a look at Custers uniform, And Sheridans pork pie hat.

 

[Major James B. Ronan II]

Major Ronan,
I'm sure I've seen a picture of General Shafter of Spanish-American war fame in a white "pith" helmet. Was this issue or an item that officers could purchase for themselves?

The pith helmet was issue and was worn into the 20th century for tropical dutine.

 

[major bill]

The Army still used pith helmets during the Vietnam War. Although worn during the Vietnam War they were not particularity popular with the troops and they caused the local to believe that it make U.S. soldiers look like French soldier. I believe some pith helmets, possibly taken out of storage, were sent to the First Gulf War but not sure they were issued or worn.

 

[major bill]

Anyone researching the use of U.S. pith helmets during the Vietnam War should search for them under the term "Sun Helmet".

 

[TinCan]

Major Bill,
The helmet I asked Major Ronan about looked more like the ones worn by the British in the Zulu Wars rather than the helmet I think you are referring to, right?

 

[TinCan]

Here's a bad photo but can you see what I mean.

 

[thomas aagaard]

but definitely more practical than this:
Expired Image Removed

Clothing like that is practical. It is not tight in a way that limits your movement.

 

[Major James B. Ronan II]

View attachment 52445 Here's a bad photo but can you see what I mean.

Tin can, there were various styles over the years. Try a google search to see them.

 

[Major James B. Ronan II]

Tin can, there were various styles over the years. Try a google search to see them.

Here you are. I use Bing (Google neglects Pearl Harbor Day. Bing does not)
http://www.bing.com/images/search?q=us army pith and sun helmets&FORM=BILH1

 

[major bill]

Major Bill,
The helmet I asked Major Ronan about looked more like the ones worn by the British in the Zulu Wars rather than the helmet I think you are referring to, right?

I do believe that I have read that General Shafter did wear a private purchased sun helmet. Now I just have to remember where I read it.

 

[TinCan]

Thank you both very much. I had no idea there were so many different styles.

 

[TinCan]

I know this is about army uniforms but whoever designed that god awful blue and grey camo navy working uniform ought to be keel hauled, or at the very least made to join the marines if he wanted to look like one.