The Use of Dark Blue Federal Trousers in 1861

[mboyd]

In portraying Federal Troops, especially Western Federal Troops prior to the Late 1861 order that sky blue trousers were now the regulation trouser, does that mean that, let us say, troops from Illinois were wearing Dark Blue Federal Trousers.
I wish I could remeber the unit, but a group portraying Federals and Confederates has a nice photo section I stumbled on this weekend dedicated to Dark Blue Trousers use by Federal Infantry into 1863 and even beyond. From their photographic archeology, it would appear of mixture of trousers for at least the first half of the war might be appropriate, at least in the East.

So was that same idea true for troops in the Western units(Illinois, Iowa, Ohio)?

Thanks in advance, Mike

[markj]

Re: The Use of Dark Blue Federal Trousers in 1861

Depends on when in 1861 you're talking about and what units. Quite a few Illinois troops wore gray "suits" during the first months of the war. Don't even get me started on Indiana: within the space of less than a year, Indiana troops were issued uniforms ranging in color from "sky blue" to "dove grey" to "dark blue". A real rainbow coalition.

Regards,

Mark Jaeger

[Curt Schmidt]

Re: The Use of Dark Blue Federal Trousers in 1861

Hallo!

Some Ohio troops in 1861 received black uniforms. And then there was the "Fremont" thing ging on with his buying cloth and uniforms on the open market.

"In portraying Federal Troops, especially Western Federal Troops prior to the Late 1861 order that sky blue trousers were now the regulation trouser, does that mean that, let us say, troops from Illinois were wearing Dark Blue Federal Trousers."

"Western" and "Eastern" can be a messy term. States like Ohio had regiments serving in the "East" as well as the "(mid)West" and "West."

IMHO, the key aside from what history shows which units had what, when... is the practice of allowing quartermasters to continue issue old pattern clothing after new versions came out until they were used up.
(One extreme post War example was some of Custer's 7th Cavalry wearing CW nine button dress coats with their skirts removed in 1876.)
And a second key is that the Federal depot/arsenal system shipped amongst themselves filling requisitions so the "closest" troops did nto always get their clothing from the closest depot.

One of my favorite stories is that of the 7th OVI, who received a batch of dark blue trousers tha thad been bleached and redyed to make them sky blue, but the job was botched and they came out with a greenish cast that the men disliked.

Curt

[mboyd]

Re: The Use of Dark Blue Federal Trousers in 1861

I know the 38th Illinois Infantry was issued, in August of 1861(according to Todd's Book), the state fatigue uniform (and NOT the gray one as Todd states "gray" if applicable, but the Federal Dark Blue State Jacket), so the question arises, were the trousers in Aug of 1861 Dark Blue or Sky Blue. My thought would be Dark Blue, but I have no research to back that up. Anyone? Mike

[lwtaggart]

Re: The Use of Dark Blue Federal Trousers in 1861

Pvt. James Wright of Company K 1st Minnesota in his memoirs describes the uniform just before departure to Washington, 1861. Each man recieved two red wool shirts, a pair of blue trousers and a civilian hat". Another tells of recieving black trousers with the red wool shirts. It would seem from both descriptions they were of a dark color. I also might add ttheir uniform was said to be provided by the State.

George Taggart

[Bill52]

Re: The Use of Dark Blue Federal Trousers in 1861

At the start of the war a variety of colors could be found. One must research each regiment of each state to see what was worn. For example, Michigan issued dark blue trousers to the 1st Three Month Infantry and 2nd Infantry Regiments. The 2nd Infantry just before the Battle of Bull Run received linen trousers. The 3rd and 4th Regiments received gray trousers as did the NCOs from 5-7th Regiments while at the Camp of instruction. The 5th to 10th Regiments probably all received dark blue trousers. From the federal government the 16th Infantry received dark blue trousers that were probably made in Cincinnati. Michigan received a large shipment of federal supplied black trousers in late 1861 some of which were issued to the 15th Infantry. If anyone is interested H. Ranson Gardner the owner of the Jonesville Woolen Factory made 1000 gray (probably cadet gray) uniforms for Illinois in October of 1861. The Jonesvillle Woolen Factory was making large quantities of cadet gray army cloth, but it is unknown which states bought it.


William T. Carr
Company of Military Historians

[ScottCross]

Re: The Use of Dark Blue Federal Trousers in 1861

The answer to this question is really going to depend on the regiment. Example, Illinois regiments were supplied by the state for the most part in 1861. This is an image of members of the 15th Illinois late in 1861. Two wear light blue trousers, while the third is still wearing the early gray uniform.

[John of the Skulkers Mess]

Re: The Use of Dark Blue Federal Trousers in 1861

You slipped a key Scott, I think you meant 13th Illinois!

[ScottCross]

Re: The Use of Dark Blue Federal Trousers in 1861

You slipped a key Scott, I think you meant 13th Illinois!

Oops, John is correct, it should be 13th Illinois.