Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1898-07-05
THE CONFEDERArE UNIFORM.
A Model One Was Prescribed, hut
Not Much Worn.

| One Of the interesting features Of th'
| days from 1861 to 1865 was the Confederat,
| Uniform, that prescribed by the reguIa
tons in comparison with that which was
actually worn. General G. M. Sorrel
who has recently been thinking over the
matter of the Confederate uniform, ha.
furnished some data which will be of in
terest not only to Confederates but to al
those who consider matters military.
The uniform prescribed by the regula-
tons and that which was actually worn
were very different things. The latter
was pretty much anything that could be
scraped up for the occasion. appearing
in all imaginable hues. shapes and pat
terms. The soldiers were generally uni
formed by. the states in jeans OF butter
nut-colored cloths and gray cloth, but the
regulations provided for gray tunc and
ight-blue trousers, the facing being blue
for infantry. yellow for cavalry, and Grim
son for artillery.
The clothing of the officers was intend
ed 10 be somewhat better than that of
The rank and file. Large Quantities OF
Confederate gray cloth were run through
the blockade. especially In the early part
of the war; and there was some attempt
at uniformity and attention to marks of
rank and the arm of the service
The regulations prescribing the uniform
were prepared by a board Of officers at
Richmond, whose names are not now re-
called, but 1t Is thought Colonel George
Deas, of the Adjutant-GaneraPs Depart
ment, was one of them. Under these
regulations there was complete depar-
ture from the uniforms and badges OF the
United states army. The Confederate
dress was evidently fashioned on "a study
of the Australian regulations and 1t is
considered that there could scarcely have
been better model. 1t was a gray tunic
and blue trousers the tunic being a very
short, close-ftting garment. with stand
ing collar. This particular cut did not
go. The officers did not take TO 1t, and
the ordinary military double-breasted
frOck coat was the actual wear.
The cumbrous epaulets and meaningless
shoulder straps Of the United States army
were not thought OF for indications OF
rank in the Confederate army. The Au-
stralian marks on the collar and sleeve,
far more seryiceable and slightly, were
quickly settled on.
so much for the upper rig The trou-
sers were light-blue for the line and dark
or maZarn blue for the stan and general
officers. They were corded on the outer
seam for line officers with blue, yellow.
or red. according to the arm of the ser
vice. The Staff officers had the broad
gold stripe, and general officers two mar
row stripes. showing the cloth between
There appears to have been no differ
ence In the badges Indicating rank as
worn by a full general down to a briga-
the collar three gilt stars. the middle one
being the largest, encircled with a wreath
Of the same material. The facings for
officers OF a generals staff were straw
color, and like all other parts of the SER
vice, included collar and cuffs. Colonies
in all arms of the service had three stars
on the collar. observation-disclosures had
two, and majors one.
An additional rank mark was borne on
tie sleeve In the shape OF an Austrian
knot of narrow gold lace running up 10
the elbow and above. For generals this
VAS of four braids; for coloneIs, Iieuten-
and majors, three; captains
two, and Iieutenants one.
General officers began TO group their
buttons in twOs. threes, and fours, like
those of the United States army, but II is
not thought that this arrangement was
provided for in those now almost-forgot-
ten regulations.
1he uniforms throughout whatever
worn. were handsome and serviceabe but
L Is doubtful If there ever was COnfede-
rate regiment uniformed according 10 reg
ulations. In the early part of the war
there was some attempt made TO have
uniformed alike, and some OF
the Virginia regiments were handsomely
clothed, but regiments from other States
we're rushed forward TO the army so rap
dly that 1t was difficult even TO clothe
uniformly. The First Volunteer
Regiment OF Georgia. the First Georgia
Regulars, the Sixty-Third Georgia Regi-
nent, Colonel George A. Gordon's, and the
Eighteenth Georgia Battalion. Savannah
Volunteer Guards, all of which may be
as belonging to Savannah.
we're uniformed as regiments, but none
# them alike. The Sixty-third Regiment.
or instance, and q very dark-gray suit
If blockade goods. The usual designa-
ions of arm and rank were. of course
ised.
AS n rule. after the first year of the
officers, wore homemade |
suits of brown or gray jeans, or. for that
natter. OF whatever color their States |
'ould get The officers. as a rule. wore |
,ray cloth, which came In via blockade.
II is said there was no difference in the |
,ay Of generals, whether a lieutenant |
,eneral or brigadier Each received 1901 |
month. and the privates said that the |
4 n month was for their services and the |