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Good Day,
I do living history for the Fort Ward Museum in Alexandria, Va, a post which was part of the Defenses of Washington. Due to its proximity to the capital city, things tended to be very by the book. I am researching the proper uniform for an Ordnance Sergeant attached to the fort in the mid to late war period. It seems easy enough, the Official Reg.s of 1861 describe a frock coat with crimson trim with chevrons pointing down “same color as the edging on the coat, 3 bars and a star, in silk.” Easy enough but then comes this; “They are to wear the uniform of the Ordnance Department, with the distinctive badges prescribed for the non-commissioned staff of regiments of artillery.” How do you interpret this? Every example of period Ordnance Sergeant chevrons I've seen are crimson, though I did see a photo of an example in scarlet in a Don Troiani uniform book. Thanks for your help.
I do living history for the Fort Ward Museum in Alexandria, Va, a post which was part of the Defenses of Washington. Due to its proximity to the capital city, things tended to be very by the book. I am researching the proper uniform for an Ordnance Sergeant attached to the fort in the mid to late war period. It seems easy enough, the Official Reg.s of 1861 describe a frock coat with crimson trim with chevrons pointing down “same color as the edging on the coat, 3 bars and a star, in silk.” Easy enough but then comes this; “They are to wear the uniform of the Ordnance Department, with the distinctive badges prescribed for the non-commissioned staff of regiments of artillery.” How do you interpret this? Every example of period Ordnance Sergeant chevrons I've seen are crimson, though I did see a photo of an example in scarlet in a Don Troiani uniform book. Thanks for your help.