2nd Rhode Island belt plate and blanket

[benjaminmcgee]

Hello,

I've been slowly putting together an early war Rhode Island impression for the upcomming 150th. In all the Camp Brightwood photos I've seen, standard U.S. belt plates are the rule. Trioani's portrait of a 1st Rhode Islander shows an early "clip corner" militia plate. Is there some research I'm missing? Also, does anyone have any source material on the RI's red blankets? Any help would be appreciated.

Benjamin McGee

[KPavia]

Re: 2nd Rhode Island belt plate and blanket

I'll mention this just in case you haven't read it yet- In "All for the Union" by Elisha Hunt Rhodes, he refers to being issued a smoothbore flintlock musket converted to percussion, forage cap, blue flannel shirt (the pictures look like battleshirts), grey pants, knapsack, and a rubber blanket. In the photos in the book, the enlisted men all have the US belt plate. That's all I could find in just skimming through the first few pages. He states that on moving from Rhode Island to Washington DC, his knapsack was so full that he could barely move. No reference to red blankets though. That's all he mentions prior to 1st Bull Run. However, on Oct. 25th, he mentions his company receiving a shipment of new blankets but doesn't mention the color.