"I am back boys. Good to see you all again. Peter Griffith" Topic

Well it has been a long two years total on this divorce and reclaiming my life (starting over at 58 is tough) but I am back to the board.
But I have not stopped my research and have come up with some reall nice colors and types of uniforms worn by the Confederate soldier. I have spent some time at the MOC and pulled through all my research papers on uniforms and now getting my act together on proper colors for uniforms.

I also and plowing ahead on the book I have been working on concerning the Confederate Zouaves. A friend and I have been working on a new set of SYW rules with uniform guides and so forth. It is to be played at the Williamsburg Convention next month.

But all in all I am glad to be back to you fellows. I have come good information on Late war Confederate Sharpshooters and how they where far better than Berdans ever though of being. But that is for another article for Johnny Reb. So now that I have bored everyone I am glad to be back.

Peter Griffith

Welcome back!
Your research sounds very interesting – I look forward to reading it.

Glad to hear from you again Peter. Now let's establish that the 33rd Virginia was not wearing blue uniforms at Frist Bull Run.

Welcome back!

Well Zippy you you are right for the most part. As well known it was a rareity that any foot unit was dressed as a regiment or battalion in a solid uniform. You would find that each company adhered to it's own uniform regulations. I could be wrong but I believe that a couple of the 33rds company went witht he federal blue to First Manansass out of the 10 companies. But you can bet that within a month afterwards they where wearing the comutation jackets from the central goverment. So to paint a full regiment in blue is wrong. Depending on how many men are a company would determine how many figures may be in that uniform.

Peter

HEY MIKE GOOD TO SEE YOU AGAIN!!!

Zippy…
That's going to be hard to establish as so far all documentation I have read and found says that they did…
And sir, it was First Manassas…

Mr Griffith How could I find info on the uniform and flag of the 23rd Va Battalion of 1862-63. My great grandfather was flag bearer of that unit.

Lobbobebo – check with Rick O'Brien he does some great flags

Jon

link

You know, for a minute there, I thought you said Paddy Griffith …

Point me to some of that documentation, Murphy. :) None of the first person accounts that I've read o the Stonewall Brigade's charge mention blue uniforms.

It's known that the Federal batteries on Henry House Hill held their fire against the Stonewall Brigade's charge until too late because they mistook the 33rd Va. for Federals. Legend has it that the mistake occurred because the 33rd wore blue Federal uniforms which they had captured at Harpers Ferry. And many a wargamer has painted up the 33rd Va. in blue.

I've seen no documentation of the blue uniforms in a primary source. Harpers Ferry before the war was an arsenal where firearms were manufactured, but it was not a major garrison or supply depot, so there's no reason to expect that large stocks of uniforms were captured there. It's known that the 11h NY and the 1st Minn., who both fought on Henry House Hill that day, wore grey uniforms. There were problems with friendly fire, and no doubt the Federal artillerymen got the word, "Be careful about firing on troops in grey – some of them are our own." So when the Stonewall Brigade bore down on the batteries at a slow march with shouldered arms, I posit that the Federal gunners were a bit too careful of firing on soldiers in grey uniforms.

I could buy Peter's theory of a company or two, maybe a few officers in blue. The whole regiment? May I see a primary account of it?

Like I said earlier the old blue thing did not just happen to all companies. The southern regiments where well known for thier inividual uniforms. Mostly grey to honor as West point did the grey of the regulars of the war of 1812. Now one thing that also can lend one make a mistake is the smoke and haze on the battlefield this can change ones perspective of who is where and who is what. I have seen this at reenactments during our tacticals for the reenactors only. Colors of flags also can cloud ones mind in this area. But I will try my best to take the time and pull up the combind service records of the companies that made up the 33rd.

Peter

Welcome back Peter. Your submissions for Charge are always welcome.

Hi Scott,
I will see what I can do for you here shortly. I did not get the last mag with my article on the artillery. I wanted to finish that before I started on to anohter one so please send me one.

Peter

You know, for a minute there, I thought you said Paddy Griffith …

or Peter Griffin from Family Guy…

wondered who got custody of Stewie…

Welcome back Peter. Looking forward to all the good info you can supply us ignorant folks.

Peter,

That article on CSA artillery appeared in the May 2007 issue of Charge. I will ask Debi to mail you a copy so you may write the next installment.

Scott

Hey Peter welcome back. Hope to see you at Williamsburg but I do not know my schedule yet.
VR
James Mattes

Zippy;
Here are a few places that discuss it:

firstbullrun.com

The vast array of uniforms was inspiring; the grey uniforms of the 8th New York State Militia, the red-legged devils of the 14th New York (Brooklyn) State Militia, the 11th New York (Fire Zouaves) State Militia, the blue of the 33rd Virginia Infantry and the old filibuster uniforms of Company B, Tiger Rifles, 1st Special Battalion Liousiana Infantry.

Out of the 10 companies of 33rd Virginia, only 3 of them, (E, F and H) have the title "Greys" in their name. So Peter is probably correct in that not all of the 33rd wore blue,

Here's another link:
link

The 33rd Virginia was made up of volunteer soldiers. Many of these soldiers had already had some training in the Union Army, before the seccesion of Virginia. Once, Virginia was part of the Confederate States of America, the same uniforms were in use that were still being issued to Union soldiers. These uniforms consisted of dark blue trousers, a kepy, white belt and frog, and a dark blue frock coat. Also, the 33rd Virginia was the only regiment during the Civil War that issued silver, Virginia State Seal buttons. It was not until after the First Battle of Manassas, that the uniforms were changed.
At the Battle of Manassas, also known as Bull Run, showcased how the blue uniforms played a key role in the victory for the Confederate Army.
At most events that we partake in, the audience comes to our camp between battles. They wonder why we are fighting with the Confederates. They always assume that they are short handed. This is the part we love the most. Most people don't realize that the South, when they separated from the Union, kept the weapons and uniforms that they had before the separation. Most units changed the uniforms, but not Company C of the 33rd Virginia Regiment. Of course after the battle of First Manassas, we quickly changed our uniforms due to "Friendly Fire." We are big on the history of the Civil War

Just two sites with info on the subject…references are provided on those sites.

If Peter can verify which units actually wore blue, than that would be great!

Hope this helps pard!

:-)

Peter,

Welcome back. I'm sure many of us can relate to the disruption in life that's kept you away from wargaming and toy soldiering and are happy for you that you can now come back.
--
Tim

TIMMMMMMY!!!

Gee guys I did not think I was that loved! (tear) Dang Scott I did not know I was out of service for so long. Gee wiz!

James I will be at Willyburg probly on saturday. I need to talk to you about some 40mm stuff anyway.

Murph. Help me out here with something. I can not find any information on the two companies left behind in the valley. Who where they and why where they left behind. My CSR"S and OR's do not feed me any of that information. And who do you reenact with???

GOOD TO BE HOME BOYS!!!!!

One more thing on the 33rd I just pulled out of my parole records.

Paroled at Appomatox 15

Number serving from 61 to surrender 1,300

Peter

Peter…
Email me a m_murphy_1963@yahoo.com
I've been trying to get some info on this myself…maybe we can compare notes…

Will do this evening

Peter