Uniforms of the Confederate Military

The Uniforms of the Confederate Military were the uniforms used by the Confederate Army and Navy during the American Civil War from 1861 to 1865. The uniform varied greatly due to a variety of reasons, such as location, limitations on the supply of cloth and other materials, and the cost of materials during the war.

Confederate forces were often poorly supplied with uniforms, especially late in the conflict. Servicemen sometimes wore combinations of uniform pieces combined with captured Union uniforms and items of personal clothing. They sometimes went without shoes altogether, and broad felt or staw hats were worn as often as kepis or naval caps.

Generalization

The Confederate uniforms from all branches of the military closely resembled those of the Union’s uniforms. Several Confederate units wore dark blue outfits and were sometimes mistaken at battle for the enemy. By 1863 all troops were asked to obey the Regulations for the Army of the Confederate States. Similar with the Union Army’s Uniforms, the frock coat, hanging to mid thigh, was prescribed to the officers of the infantry along with the enlisted men, and was to be double breasted and be colored cadet gray. The use of buttons, insignias, and chevrons for identification was not as richly decorated as those used by the Union Army.

Cavalrymen, artillerists, and infantry followed the same designations and insignia, but cavalrymen and artillerists wore waist-length jackets. The ankle-high "Jefferson Boot" was supposed to be supplied to all officers and men of the army. Overcoats were to be also cadet gray and designed the same as those of the Union uniforms. Confederate naval and marine uniforms differed little from those of their Union opponents. Cadet gray was the predominant color, and, in the navy, white was accepted for summer or tropical wear.

Belt

The CS or CSA belt was a standard issue to all army personnel, the buckle itself was made of brass. The CS stood for Confederate States while the more common CSA stood for the longer name Confederate States of America. The CS or CSA on the belt depended on the location at which it was made and the maker. The loop of the belt was made of leather and connected to the buckle through screws.

Naval uniforms

Design

The first of the Navy uniforms were made in Dark Blue, but with the Southern style of rank for the officers. The 1862 Confederate regulations ordered the uniform to be steel grey and lined with a dark black silk serge. They were also made in medium grey and cadet grey colors. They were made of wool and not fit for the heat of the lower decks of a ship. Non-commissioned officers wore a variety of uniforms, or even regular clothing. [Office of Naval War Records. Uniform and Dress of the Navy of the Confederate States]

houlder Straps

According to the dress code of the Confederate Navy shoulder straps were to be worn differently by each rank. For a Flag Officer a shoulder strap of sky-blue cloth, edged with black, that is four inches long and one inch and three-eighths wide bordered that is embroidered in gold one-quarter of an inch in width, with four stars in spaced equally, the two on the ends six-tenths of an inch in diameter, and the two intermediate six-eighths of an inch in diameter. Then for a Captain the shoulder straps are worn the same as for a Flag Officer, except that there shall be three stars at equal space, each six-tenths of an inch in diameter. For a Commander the stars are worn same as for a Captain except that they have only two stars. The Lieutenant is to wear them the same as a Commander, but theirs will have one star that is in the center. Then a Master, the same as the Lieutenant, except that they have no star. For a passed Midshipman, a strip of gold lace four inches in length and a half an inch wide is to be worn. [Office of Naval War Records. Uniform and Dress of the Navy of the Confederate States]

Caps

Confederate Naval Caps were made of steel grey cloth. They were not to be less than three inches and a half, nor more than four inches in height. They were also not to be more than ten or less than nine inches and a half at the top, with a patent leather visor, to be worn by all officers in their service dress. For a Flag Officer, the cap had a anchor in an open wreath of oak leaves, with four stars above the anchor. They were to be embroidered in gold as per pattern. A Captain's was the same as a Flag Officer's, except that there were only three stars above the anchor, and the gold band was one and one-half inches wide. Then for a Commander it was to be the same as for a Captain, except that there were only but two stars. The Lieutenant's was the same as that of a Commander's, except there was but one star. For a Master it was to be the same as for a Lieutenant, except that there was no star. For a passed Midshipman, a foul anchor without a wreath. [Office of Naval War Records. Uniform and Dress of the Navy of the Confederate States]

ee Also

*United States Civil War
*Confederate States Army
*Confederate States Navy
*Uniform of the Union Army

References

* Davis, George B., Perry, Leslie J., and Kirkley, Joseph W., "The Official Military Atlas of the Civil War", 1983.
* Faust, Patricia L., "Historical Times Illustrated Encyclopedia of the Civil War", 1986.

Notes

External Links

[http://www.history.navy.mil/library/online/uniform_confed.htm Uniform and Dress of the Confederate Navy]