Ordinary Joes Wearing Officer Stuff

[Will Hickox]

I haven't reenacted in a long time but still like to research the war's material culture. In the regimental order book of the 52nd New York Infantry at the National Archives, I found an order that I regret not copying down. As I recall it was a strongly worded command by the regimental CO to his men to stop wearing officer insignia such as hat cords and embroidered infantry badges.

I've seen quite a bit of this in photos--acorn hat cords and one image of an enlisted artilleryman wearing embroidered cross cannons. Has anyone else found orders prohibiting this behavior or evidence that it was simply tolerated?