Democratic Sentinel, Volume 22, Number 23, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 18 June 1898 — UNCILSAM'S BLUE UNIFORMS [ARTICLE+ILLUSTRATION]

UNCILSAM'S BLUE UNIFORMS

GENERAL MILES is reported to be contemplating Important changes In the uniforms now worn by the soldiers of the United States regular army. At a recent reception at the White House the General appeared In a gorgeous new tunic of bls own design, liberally adorned with gold and lace, r nd wearing a sash of alternate yellow and gold stripes. The most remarkable point about the uniform, however, was not the splendor of the facings as the prominence of the oak leaf and acorn decorations;

a curious fact, as these are supposefl to be the distinctive military emblems of the British crown. General Mlles, however, intimates that he is going to take the best features of every nation's dress regulations and Incorporate them into his new system for the clothing of the American army. In the stirring times of the Revolutionary period the dress of many of the patriot regiments was at once quaint and picturesque. Many of the troops, prominent among them the First Virginia regiment in 1775, were clothed (at their own expense) in leather hunting shirts, leggings and caps, trimmed with fur—a dress that Washington recommended to all those who were unable to obtain the regular uniform, saying that “the leather hunting shirt inspired terror in the heart of the British soldier, as the latter believed that its wearer must necessarily be a sharpshooter.” On reflection, one can hardly blame the Britisher for his timidity in approaching the fearless backwoodsmen. The Pennsylvania regiments, facetiously dubbed the “Quaker brigade,” were remarkable for the excessive plainness of their uniforms, which were modestly made of buff-colored cloth, trimmed and faced with brown. What a contrast to the gay trappings of the troopers known as Moylan’s dragoons, described as wearing "green

short coats turned up with red, waistcoats of red cloth, buckskin breeches and a leather cap, trimmed with bearskin, a flowing mane of horsehair hanging from a curved brass crest at the top.” In 1802 the then commander-ln-chief ir ued an order that the collars of all privates’ coats should not be less than three inches high nor more than 3%; ten years later the height was Increased “to reach as far as 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 were afterward replaced by the equally uncomfortable stocks«biit a more rational measure brought into vogue the present low collar of soft cloth, supplemented in the case of officers by an ordinary civilian collar.

In this connection it Is interesting to recall some of the curious uniforms which the brave defenders of our 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 gentlemen? Yet In 1810 an order was Issued directing that all the privates be supplied with the “chimney-pot hat” of to-day, and this extraordinary kind of military headgear continued until 1812, when It was

replaced by a more ornate covering, described in the regulations as “a leather cap, bell-crowned, adorned in front with a yellow eagle made of brasswork, embossed with the regimental number; a white pompon in front and a black cockade at the side, made of leather.” Certainly it was a more serviceable hat than its predecessor, and 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 1821 the cadets at the Military Academy at West Point were requested to adopt the pattern

which had been condemned as an unsoldirtlike hat-covering but nine years before, and great was the wrath of these embryo Washingtons and Jacksons at the indignity which, they declared, had been put upon them. But their dislike soon gave way* to a feeling of respect for the uniform, and perhaps to this fact is due the enormons popularity of the tall hat among American citizens. President Monroe decided, toward the end of 1821, that the uniforms of the various regiments should all be dark blue in color, and that this was to be In future the national color; the West Point cadets to have gray coats and trousers, while the regimental musicians were to be distinguished by their red coats. Some of the uniforms of the old Continental army days were undoubtedly very picturesque and imposing; for instance, let us take the Governor of Connecticut’s regiment of foot guards, organized in 1771. There were two companies, the first of which wore scar-let-coloped coats, richly covered with gold lace and faced with black; buff casslmere waistcoats .and buff cloth breeches, high bearskin hats or “bushes,” and black leggings. The second company, however, outdid the first in magnificence by the adoption of white vests, breeches and stockings, ruffled shirts and silver buttons! In addition one must remember the long powdered cues and clean-shaven faces of the period, so as to form an adequate idea of the imposing appearance of those tall, well-built sons of Mars. But think of a soldier wearing white stockings and breeches! Washington’s own uniform as com-mander-ln-chief of the army was very simple and unpretentious as compared with General Miles’ latest “turnout.” He prescribed for himself and his successors a long blue coat with gilt buttons and epaulets, buff-colored facings, breeches and vest, and a plain, threecornered hat. To prevent mistakes of identity which were constantly arising on account of the similarity of dress among the superior officers, the great leader wore a light-blue sash or ribbon between his coat and waistcoat; major and brigadier generals wore similar distinguishing sashes of green, and aids-de-camp of pink silk.

THE PURITAN SOLDIKR. 1776.

MINUTE MAN. 1810.