American telegraph. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1851-1851, 1851-11-29
ARLINGTON HOUSE, Nov. 18. 1851.

Z t.esHH
\ Nv DEAR SIRs: have to acknowledge the
receipt of your esteemed letter of the I4th in
stant, in which you inform me that the Cont
mental Guards of rs have done me the honor to
elect me an honorary member of their respected
corps. t" F IA.
feel much fattered by this compliment, paid
me in my old age-having, through all the vi
cissitudes of along life, steadfastly adhered to
the principles Of the "brave old days Of 49,"
was taught to consider them as the true prin-
ciples of liberty in my boyhood at Mount Yer
non; they have grown with my growth and
strengthened with my strength during the whole
of my better days, and will be the pride of my
gray hairs, even to the grave.
While we cherish in our hearts the high and
holy memories of the ''times that tried men s
SOULS" let us perpetuate the costume of our
gallant forefathers, as worn in the heroic age
of our country's independence.
The Highlander delights in the "garb of the
Gael" it reminds him of the fame of his fa-
theirs, and the glories of the Tartan in hum
dred foughten fields. Let the American soldier
of the present age preserve the costume of his
forefathers, and show to rising generations a
portrait of the soldier of the Revolution, in the
brave old days of '76.
THE UNIFORM OF THE STAFF.
Blue and buff, the ancient whig colors OF
England. This was adopted and worn by
Washington when captain Of the old Blue and
Bluffs, a volunteer company organized at Alex
andria in the commencement of the troubles
with the mother country-John Fitzgerald, first
lieutenant. Captain Terrett the elder was said
to be the last survivor Of the old Blue and
Bluffs. Washington continued his first uniform
in the cause of liberty as the uniform of the
general staff of the American army at Cam
bridge. = Buff underclothes, black boots, coat
lined with buff silk or shalloon, and the tail
flaps hooked together with hooks and eyes
when going on parade, cooked hats, white
plumes.
THE INFANTRY.
Blue coat with red facings and cuffs, collar
lined with white, white buttons; white under
clothes; black cloth half CATERS; caps with
white and red plume. Officers, cooked hats,
black ribbon cockade; after the alliance with
France in 1778 small Ghite cockade was
worn in the centre of the black one. Officers,
crimson sashes of silk, cotton, or worsted, worn
around the waist, under the coat; coat flaps
hooked together with hooks and eyes, so as to
show the white lining. If light infantry, then
short coatees; epaulets white.
ARTILLERY.
Blue, red facings; collar and cuffs lined with
Teu Diuc anu Ieu plumo leu WuiSIcout, uh
derclothes and CATERS same as infantry. Lons
coats; buttons and epaulets yellow.
Cavalry various Lees Legion, green anc
buff; Baylor's Horse, called Lady Washington's
Dragons, white, with blue facings, sc.
LIFE GUARD.
Blue, white facings, collar and cuffs; blue
and white plume; underclothes and CATERS
same as infantry.
This, my dear sirs, is detail of the costumes
Of the glorious old times! Choose asyou may, you
cannot go wrong. Permit me TO repeatmy sincere
Acknowledgements for your very great kindness
to an old American, who had the honor Of bear
ing commission in the last army commanded
by the beloved Chief, ffty-two years ago and
with warmest wishes for the success of the Con.
tinental Guards of '76, | have the honor to be,
gentlemen, faithfully,
Your obliged humble servant,
GEORGE w. p. CUsTIs,
Honorary Member Confl Guards of'76.
Col. C. A. Alexander, DR. ]. Il. Morgan, and
John L. Smith, esq, committee, &C. sc.
We learn that the commissions Of the officers
of this comnany have been duly received and