The representative. [volume] (St. Paul, Minn.) 1893-1901, 1898-03-23
The new UNIFORM
GEN. NILES PROPOSED CHANGE IN
THEM,
Curious Uniforms Of Old Time Ameri-
can SOldiers-Silk Hats and High
Collars Turkish Trousers and
Long, Wide Skirted COats-Leather
Hunting Shirts Worn in Washing
tons Army-'rhat Generals Own
Uniform,

General Miles is reported to be con-
templating important changes in the uni
forms now worn by the soldiers of United
States regular army. At recent reception
at the White House the general appeared
in a gorgeous new tunic Of his own design,
literally adorned with gold lace and wear
ing sash of alternate yellow and gold
stripes. The most remarkable point about
the uniform, however. was not the splen-
DOR or the facings as the prominence of
the oakleaf and acorn decorations; a cur
lous fact, as these are supposed to be the
distinctive military emblems Of the British
crown. General Miles, however intimates
that he is going to take the best features
of every other nations dress regulations
and incorporate them into his new system
Tor the clothing of the American army,
says the Cleveland Leader.
In this connection 1t is interesting to
recall some of the curious uniforms which
the brave defenders of great republic
have from time to time adopted either
through choice or necessity. Who would
ever imagine that our soldiers once wore
the tall silk hat of the modern society gem
tleman? Yet in 1910 an order was issued
directing that all the privates be supplied
with a hat identical in shape and form with
the "chimney-pot hat of today, and this
extraordinary kind Of military headgear
continued until 1912, when it was replaced
Dy more ornate covering. described in
the regulations as "a leather cap bell
crowned. adorned in front with a yellow
eagle made of brass work, embossed with
the regimental number: a cockade at the
side, made Of leather" Certainly it was
more servceabe hat than it's predecessor.
ana more suggestive of the martial spirit
that inspired its wearers to their brilliant
deeds of valor in the struggle of that
year. But the day of the pot hat was not
yet done; in 1921 the cadets of the military
academy at West Point were requested to
adopt the pattern which had been con-
demned as an unsoldier-lke headcoverine
but nine years before, and great was the
wrath OF these embryo Washing tons and
Jacksons at the indignity which, they de
cldreu, nad been put upon them. But
thelr dlSl1ke soon gave way to feeling O,
respect Tor the uniform and perhaps to this
ldGt IS oue the enormous popularity Of the
tail nat among American citizens
In the stirring times of the revolutionary
period the dress of many Of the patriot
regiments was at once quaint and picture
sque Many Of the troops, prominent
among them the First Virginia regiment in
l'|o We're clothed Cat their own expense) in
leather hunting shirts, leggings and CAPS
trimmed with fur-a dress that Washing
ton recommended to all those who were
unable to obtain the regular uniform saying
that the leather hunting shirt inspired ter
rof IN the hearts of the British soldier as
WIG idtlei DeHeNeQ tndt It's Wearer must
necessarily be a SharpShooter, in fact an
other Misunderstanding" On reflection, one
can hardly blame the Britsher for his
tlmidity In approaching the fearless back
woodsmen. The Pennsylvania regiments
facetiously dubbed the Quaker brigade"
were remarka bic for the excessive plain
ness OF their uniforms, which were modestly
made of buff-colored cloth, trimmed and
faced with brown. What a contrast to the
gray trappings Of the troopers known as
Moylan's Dragons described as wearing
green short coats turned up with red
waistcoats Of red cloth, buckskin breeches
and leather cap, trimmed with bearskin
a flowing name of horsehair hanging from
d curved brass crest at the top"
In 1872 the then cOmmander-in- chief is
sued an order that the cOlors Of all privates
coats should not be less than three inches
high nor more than three and one-haf; ten
years later the height was increased ito
reach far the tip of the ear at the
side and back, and in front as high as the
chin would permit in turning the head"
These preposterous collars We're afterwards
replaced by the equally uncomforta BILE
stocks but more rational measure brought
into vogue the present low collar of soft
cloth, supplemented in the case Of officers
by an ordinary civilian collar.
President Monroe decided, towards the
end Of 1921, that the uniforms of the various
regiments should all be dark blue in color,
and that this was to be in future the ma
tional color the West Point cadets to have
gray coats and trousers, while the regi-
mental musicians were to be distinguished
by their red coats; facingS and ornamental
tons Of every description were abolished.
But in 1882 the facing were readopted. and
shortly afterwards the long coat gave way
to the dark blue jacket or "cOatee," as it
was called, which came in with the sky
blue pantaloons. Perhaps no more remark
able uniform was ever worn than that OF
1855. remarkable for its unsoldierlike ap-
pearance and want of smartness on a body
Of troops that were astonishing and had
already astonished the world by their won-