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I recently viewed some late war photographs from a private collection in which some Federal privates could be seen wearing NCO belts as well as fatigue blouses with "service year" stripes a fixed. Now, it is fact that the men in the aforementioned photos are privates (as the photos are from a private family collection), so my question is more along the lines of whether or not this was a common practice amongst Federal troops to "improve" their gear? I am not too familiar with NCO issued items being commonplace for privates' dress in the field.
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Last edited by WoodenNutmeg; 02-06-2008, 12:38 PM. -
Re: Federal privates in NCO gear...
Comrade,
Are you certain that they were not NCO's with plain blouses?Tim Kindred
Medical Mess
Solar Star Lodge #14
Bath, Maine -
Re: Federal privates in NCO gear...
No, they were not. One of the men, in fact (to whom most of the photos originally belonged to), was a private and personally labeled the back of the photos himself with inscriptions. He himself could be seen wearing a private's issue blouse with an NCO belt (clearly visible); all normal accoutrements were attached. A friend and fellow soldier of his (who the private also identifies as another private) can be seen in both an NCO belt and with "service year" stripes a fixed to his fatigue blouse.Last edited by WoodenNutmeg; 02-06-2008, 12:36 PM.Comment
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Re: Federal privates in NCO gear...
what is a NCO fatigue blouse? Do you mean he had stripes?[B]Mike Wilkins[/B]Comment
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Re: Federal privates in NCO gear...
Yeah, I'd like to know what you mean by an NCO fatigue blouse. I've never heard of such a thing.Originally posted by Slouch View Post
Respects,Tim Kindred
Medical Mess
Solar Star Lodge #14
Bath, MaineComment
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Re: Federal privates in NCO gear...
Please reread the post for clarification, sirs.Comment
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Re: Federal privates in NCO gear...
Hallo!
"I recently viewed some late war photographs from a private collection in which some Federal privates could be seen wearing NCO belts as well as fatigue blouses with "service year" stripes a fixed."
I think the intent is that "NCO" modifies just "belt, " and not "fatigue blouses."
CurtCurt Schmidt
In gleichem Schritt und Tritt, Curt Schmidt
-Hard and sharp as flint...secret, and self-contained, and solitary as an oyster.
-Haplogroup R1b M343 (Subclade R1b1a2 M269)
-Pointless Folksy Wisdom Mess, Oblio Lodge #1
-Vastly Ignorant
-Often incorrect, technically, historically, factually.Comment
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Re: Federal privates in NCO gear...
It does indeed and the error is my fault.Comment
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Re: Federal privates in NCO gear...
Was this the picture of the 4 soldiers from the 30th Pennsylvania/aka 1st Reserves? The reason I ask is that the one NCO is listed on the back of that CDV as a private , although a NCO stripe on his trowsers is clearly visible on his trowsers. After some research I was able to prove without a doubt that the notation is/was wrong. How so? The 4 are all NCO's in the photo . I retrieved their dates of promotion from the Archives . Anyway, you may want to . If it's bugging you enough to check the archives in DC . That of course is if you know the regiment . Can you post the photo?Barry Dusel
In memory: Wm. Stanley, 6th PA Cav. Ernst C. Braun, 9th PA. Cav. John E. Brown & Edwin C. Brown, 23rd PVIComment
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Re: Federal privates in NCO gear...
Well if the men really weren't NCOs I think there is a pretty simple answer to the question.
The men in the photo needed new equipment and the depot/supply train issued them whatever it had on hand, especially since it was "late war".Bob Sandusky
Co C 125th NYSVI
Esperance, NYComment
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Re: Federal privates in NCO gear...
Do you have a date when this picture was taken, or what theater of the war it was in? Perhaps this was taken at a time when supplies were more scarce and the troops grabbed what they could find. From what I know, this scenario would be more likely in the highly mobile western armies.James Duffney
61st NY
Brave Peacock MessComment
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Re: Federal privates in NCO gear...
The "service stripe" is most likely the Veteran Volunteer stripe.I am, etc.
Thomas Gingras
Awkward Squad Mess
Columbia Rifles
Honorary SRR "Yankee"Comment
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Re: Federal privates in NCO gear...
I have seen an image somewhere of a few of "Sherman's finest" wearing NCO belts with regular accoutrements and fatigue blouses. I will see if I can dig it up. I would love to see the image in question,any chance you could post it?-ELI GEERY-ELI GEERY- Corinthian No. 414-F&AM
"The Dippin' Gourd Mess" (FOUNDER)
"Original MOOCOWS Board of directors member"
"The Bully Boys"
"The Hard Case Boys"
"The Independant Mess"
29th Infantry DIV/OEF/OJG Veteran
3d Iinfantry DIV/OIF VeteranComment
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Re: Federal privates in NCO gear...
In my research of the 124th New York, I have found two examples of Privates wearing NCO Belt Buckles, both of whom never had been promoted. On top of that I've found a private who wore an officer's buckle and belt. David Kidd wrote home that he got himself an officer's buckle because it was lighter than the Enlisted lead filled one. I have a picture of Kidd wearing his officer's buckle as well as the buckle itself.
While this doesn't seem to have been a common thing, it's just like so many other little occurrences that express just how much individualism and practical thinking played in the ranks.
Respectfully,Ryan McIntyre
124th New York State Volunteers
Founder of the Squatting Bullfrog Mess & the "Leave your politics at home" Mess
"the Doctor says that I have got the Knapsack complaint that is I cant carry a knapsack that is a disease of my own getting up for I can lift as much as eney[sic] of the boys"
Joseph H. Johnston
March 16th 1863
Camp Convalescent
"It takes twelve men and a corporal up there [brigade headquarters] to take care of a few trees and salute the officers as they pass these are all the orders we have, but it is military I suppose..."
Henry M Howell
March 8 1863
In camp Near FalmouthComment
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