Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1902-10-11
THE ARMY UNIFORMS
GAUDY APPAREL CONTRASTED
WITH PRESENT-DAY CLOTHING.
How Uncle Sans Officers Were Dress
ed in 179o-order by Presi-
dent Madison.

The evolution toward simplicity and use
fulness Of the uniform of the United States
soldier shown in the thousands If
marching veterans in the parade of Grand
Army men and in the uniforms of the new
| century soldier in the olive green khaki.
seen in the military and naval parade, can
hardly be appreciated. The uniform and
insignia of the early American army. d.
rected by a circular order issued by Secra-
tary of War James McHenry, was gaudy
affair. and for usefulness and active serv
ice did not compare with the uniforms Of
today which active service in the tropics
and island possessions of the United States
has demonstrated to be the best that could
be possibly secured to meet existing condi-
lions.
According to official order of President
Madison. through Secretary McHenry. the
following uniform was prescribed for the
various branches of the American army:
'"The uniform of the commander in chief.
to be a blue coat. with yellow buttons. and
gold eDaulets. each having three silver
stars. with lining cape and cuffs, of buff
in winter buff vest and breeches;-in sum
mer. a white vest and breeches of nan
keen.-The coat to be without lappels. and
embroidered OF the cape and cuffs and
pockets. A white plume in the hat to be
a further distinction. The Adjutant Cen
eral. the aids. and secretaries. of the COM
m3nder IN cnle1 TO De likewise O1SllnSulSD-
ed by a white plume.
The uniform of the other general Off
GERS to be blue coat, with yellow buttons.
gold epaulets. Innings and facings of buff
the under-cloathes the same with those of
the commander in chief.
The Major General.
THE major generals. to be distinguished
by two silver stars, in each epaulet. and
except the inspector general by a black
TIL,
brigadier to be distinguished. by one silver
star on each epaulet. and by a red and
white plume, the red below. The aids. of
all general officers. who are taken from
regiments. and he officers of inspection. to
wear the uniforms of the regiments from
which they are taken. The aids to be sew
orally distinguished by the like Dlumes.
which are worn by the general officers to
whom they are respectively attached.
The uniform of the aids of the comman
der in chief, when not taken from regi-
ments, to be blue coat, with yellow but
tons. and gold epaulet. buff lining and fac
ines-the same under-cloathes with the
commander in chief.
THE inspector general, his aids. and the
officers of inspection generally. to be dis
tnguished by a blue plume. The Quarter
Master General. and other military officers
in his department, to be distinguished by
green plume.
The uniform of the infantry and artil-
1erv to be blue coat. with white buttons.
and red facings. white under-cloathes and
cooked hats-the length of the officers
coats to reach to the knees. the coats of
the infantry. to be lined with white. of the
artillery with red. The uniform of the
cavalry, to be a green coat. with white
buttons, lining and facngs; white vest and
breeches and helmet caps.
Each Colonel. to be distinguished by two
epaulets. each Major, by one epaulet on
the right shoulder. and strap on the left.
All the Field Officers. Except as above>
and the Regimental Staff. to wear red
plumes-the Officers of Companies are to
wear no plumes.
Officers of the Line.
Captains to be distinguished by an ep-
aulet on the right shoulder: Lieutenants by
one on the left shoulder; Cadets, by a strap
on the right shoulder. The epaulets and
straps of the regimental officers to be of
silver
SERGEANT majors and Quarter-master-se
jeants, to be distinguished by two red
worsted epaulets; Serjeants by like epau-
let on the right shoulder: Corporals, by
like epaulet the left shoulder; the flank
companies to be distinguished by red wings
on the shoulders.
The coats of the Musicians to be of the
colours of the facings of the corps to which
they severally belong. The Chief Musicians
to wear two white worsted epaulets.
'All the Civil Staff of the Army. to wear
| plain blue coats. with yellow buttons, and
| white under cloathes.
mo gold silver lace. except in the
| epaulets and the straps to be worn.
The commissioned officers, and cadets
| to wear swords.
| "Al persons belonging to the army, to
wear a black cockade. with a small white
| Eagle in the centre. The cockade of non
| commissioned officers, musicians and pri-
Yates. to be of leather. with Eagles of tin.
The regiments to be distinguished from
! each other. numerically. The number of
each regiment to be expressed on the but
! tons.
! by Command of the President
Given at the War Office of the United
States. in Philadelphia. this 9th day of Jan
uary. A. ID. 1799 and in the twenty-thrd
| year of the Independence of the said states
| JAMES MHENRY,
Secretary of War"