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Virginia Milita "uniform"
Does anyone have any information on what Virginia militia was wearing after the outbreak of the war. I need to know what would have been worn on campaign say Shenandoah Valley,late 1861. I know a lot of militia did not have uniforms. I also know by this time there is no depot system but maybe the state is issuing something? Also, do we know if they would all be carrying firearms would some still be carrying pikes, and would there still be a large number of civilian arms in the ranks. I'm not looking for an end all answer here just some ideas, from various groups to paint a broad picture.
I figure unless we get a unit battle shirt we'll have a variety stuff on battleshirts, civilian , and some military stuff, and that might be just what they had during the war. There just doesn't seem to be much on Va militia after the the outbreak of the war. Any help would be appreciated.
Replies to This Discussion
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Permalink Reply by Greg Bullock on -
Cadet Gray and Butternut Brown by Thomas Arliskas has good information on what Confeds were wearing throughout the war and he breaks it down based on early - mid - late with some nice descriptions.
From a quick search, it seems that VA militia regulations were to conform to the US regulations in terms of a Frock coat single breasted. I think it could be blue or gray.
In CGBB, he talks about the commutation period and there being plenty of civilian clothing since the local communities were doing the providing.
Not sure if this helps any.
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Permalink Reply by Robert Ambrose on -
Thanks Greg I have the book and I'll look it over. I know about the regulations, but they were for before the war. I also know that the county militias that exisited before the war, still exsisted during the war, so if they had uniforms before did they have uniforms during? Also, if they did we're they wearing something provided by the county or state and more utilatarian that before the war. I'm not sure if the VA regimental series would help at all as they have a large volume on the militias.
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Permalink Reply by Frederick Sineath on -
Robbie
.. Much of the research Ive found on it depends greatly upon the respective units place of origin/muster. There were the regulations that mirrored the US regs that some of the Va state pre-war militias were wearing... but just as many of them had local fancy tailored gear in grey... Those units that volunteered early 61.. majority seems to have procured whatever was available locally.. appears that there were significant evidence to suggest that many contracted/purchased uniform items from local tailors to try to fill the need... whether this be frocks, jackets or battleshirts... by whole companies at a time.. variations upon footwear, headgear and such.. but jackets were fairly uniform per company.. Of course each company within a newly formed regiment may differ at this point in time of the war..
Examining hundreds of photos of the early era I have noted that there was a regional favored pattern of sort amongst troops coming out of a particular area. Richmond metro troops seemed to prefer the jacket trimmed near identical what would be later adopted and classed as the Richmond Depot Type-I... Some troops from this area were wearing this style back at least to 1859... Many troops originating in the western and valley areas Ive noted battle shirts apparently more favored...
Another point to consider is if the respective unit did not already have uniforms.. and was mustered pre-June 1861.. whereas they would have more likely recieved state issue clothing and gear... jackets and white webbing... v/s those post-June 1861 that started to recieve goods arranged and contracted on a wider scale and range via the central government... Ive also found many references of new uniform issues in late 1861... replacing the early 1861 private purchases and the fancy parade coats that didnt last long on the active campaign trails...
In western or valley of virginia in late 1861 there would most likely been a hodge podge array... especially since some of the units sent out there came from Central and Southside Va... My former unit was one of them.. jackets, frocks, webbing and unaltered flintlocks... with Gen Wise.. they had commented on the oddity of assorted uniforms amoungst other units encountered and noted in their travels.
Hope this helps
Frederick
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Permalink Reply by Ron Malmgren -
The book Uniforms of the Civil War An Illustrated Guide for Historians, Collectors, and Reenactors by Robin Smith and Ron Field starting on page 219 reflects exactly your comments and has numerous photos and quotes to support it.
Ron Malmgren
Wheeling Fencibles
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