The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1859-12-05
IT, Al. Volunteer. of virginia.


moment, whilst many of Our volunteer COM
panies are deciding upon the question OF uni
forms. and whilst the Legislature, which
meets to-day, will be called upon to establish
a thorough system of military defence for Vir-
GINA, that We are able to place before our
readers such an enlightened, practical, and
sensible letter upon this subject OF volunteer
companies as the following, from a veteran
aud eminent officer of the United States
Army. and a distinguished son of the Old
Commonwealth. We earnestly invoke the
attention of volun teer companies. of the Legis-
latnre, and of our brethren of the press, to the
recommendations Of this letter. There is cer-
tainly not single officer in the United States
Army whose Intelligence and experience
make him more competent to give advice, or
whose views could more commend themselves
to every mans common sense. II is of vast
practical importance that the dress Of yolun-
teers while ii is uniform, should be cheap and
simple, for the cheapness will enable the
masses TO join, and the simplicity will help
them TO fight. See what this experienced
officer says upon this subject. No one ever
heard of an army of fighting men being dressed
in snch cumbrous and costly uniforms as
| many volunteer companies wear. 1Ae French,
The most military nation in the world, under
| stand this subject thoroughly and their best
| lighting men, the Zouayes, wear the simplest
and lightest uniform:
SfR:-I am pleased to see your very sensible re-,
marks about Our Volunteer Companies. and
particularly commend To the members of those
corps what you say about uniforms. II IS begin
aing to be practically acknowledged, at last. in Eu
ropean armies. that soldiers dress. instead Of
constralning every movement as formerly. should
be easy and comfortable. There is anecdote
a M t 81 nltn tn "a w
mentioned; respecting navy costume:
After the campaign of 1915 when the dress of
The army was under discussion in England. the
Who had DISTINGUISHED himself at sterioo b, cut
The life guards, You know. ear steel curasses
ard heimets.I Finding that SHAW could not give
he Prince asked him: Suppose You had another
such day s work before you as YOU had at Water
loo how would yop Ike % be diessed Then hen;
sleeves"
In accordance with this feeling, the military
Powers. Of Europe have now discarded, FIR the
mass of the troops. the tig ht lifting coat and PAN
taioons. and the leather and stock: snbstltut
ing easy frock, loose trowsers lisht cloth cap.
md cloth stock. 1t is in this costume that the
French Zouaves and Chasseurs have performed
their daring fea's of agility in the CT mea and in
msht are being thrown aside for full dress as they
se British ns @
he the finest dressed in Europe they have been
abolished suce the Crmean war. All the conside
fatons which have induced these chanse s, apply
obviously to our volunteer companies. who will al
was act as Ii ht troops, and there why
their dress should not be such as they can wear
very day, IN their ordinary occupations. without
,'rr".- notice. ! would suggest something of
a .va,- something like that usually worn by
spcrtsmen; cut away little IN trsn ia Ing collar;
pockets VIZ one IN each skirt, at the sides.
SIDE; outer one on tile left SIDE and asmall one.
covered with flap, on the ri hit side near the
WAIST. for percussion caps lined with bucksku.
The large pockets would hold the hat cover; n
comforter Tor the neck; handkerchief; or, IN
pfessIns cases CARTRIDGES and provision against
im,ie i1a hunEer; or pocket revolver
throat
ITowstrs-ofthe same material also; made loose,
ttoek,of ordinary silk, bombazine or cheaper
material; or black neck handkerchief
Hdt-Fhe common, soft, round crowned hat,
with broad brim; and provided with an oil skin
over tor the rain made SO as, to be easily taken
An Orercoat-of the same material as the other
coat made long and loose. or pomcho, would serve
LOT a blanket as well as . coat.
ANY dark color would answer, and in this the sew
ersi co npanIes might exercise their own tastes. II
ard field service let them be adopted by all means
Woollen cloth is the best material, with re ard to
STUDIES of weather and nj ut service, even in hot
climates; but as the clotting which | propose Is
sa,aDe iot use there would De no o4
have n suit very much like that which have de-
seribed: which was made IN London. of brown
cloh, the natural color OF the WOOL and very often
when put 1t on. wish that my uniform was oil
he same kind wore such dress On recoDnol-
tering journey on horseb of more than 500 miles,
within the tropics, during the rain, season, and
carried about me. without inconvenience, spy
lass, pocket compass OF large size, tape mea-
surins line Of 50 feet, psdometer. watch; cart
carried waist belt. and for \ carbine. which
could be attached to the pommel of the saddle a
luncheon. &C., anu memorandum book. in which
/ i |
had an oyercoat OF water prOof CLOTH and common
leggings of the same mate rial, tied at the knee
oiten Iode mus In the pouring rain from morn
tnE ttii night: and unless as frequently happened.
| there was deep stream to ford, IN, sell and ms
1 equipments were Kept dry. When the sun sbone,
the overcoat and hat cover had to be taken off, Of
course IN that hot climate; but soldier equipped
| Tor the held If not mounted, carries his overcoat
strapped to his knapsack, or rolled up over his
shoulder. when 1t is not in use. The broad brmmed
tst hat with Its olskin cover, protected the neck
| perfectly from the rain.
| i give this title personal experience to show
| that, as regards comfort and convenience. am not
appearance of this dress for troops that is for our
purpose, a secondary consideration. ItisuHdoubt-
edly proper that there should be uniformity of
liter VANISHING The idea that soldiers should be
dressed for display alone, it Is remarkable how
soon we become reconciied to any dress provided
DU.eAN's distinguished battery wore red flannel
shirts and no coats; most of the officers and men
wore straw hats.
ltwould be easv to arrange some distinguishing
marks tor the different ranks OF officers for in
stance, cheyrons for non commissioned officers.
and stars on the collar OF the coat for
officers; one two and three stars for the several
such as DR.. FRANKLiSs rat.lesnake, quiescent,
but ready to strike.
AN OrrIcER OF THE ARMY.
ate