"Revisit - NCO chevrons on US troops circa 1830- 1850" Topic

Malamute asked the question about NCO chevrons on US army NCOs from 1830 – 50, which prompted me to do some research on the topic

Digging up a reference from Gregory Urwin was very helpful

Chevrons were introduced for NCO ranks in the 1821 regulations. In the infantry, they were white worsted chevrons, with a sergeant wearing a single chevron, point upward, on each sleeve below the elbow – a corporal wore a single chevron on the right upper sleeve, again point upward

In 1825 the regs moved the sergeant's chevron to above the elbow, while corporals wore a chevron on both sleeves, but below the elbow

In 1832 chevrons were removed from dress uniforms, sergeant's rank being indicated by worsted epaulettes, lace loops on the cuffs, a white stripe down the trousers and a red sash for the First Sergeant

At the the time of the Seminole War chevrons were worn above the elbow, but thye indicated rank, one white chevron (point upwards) for each five years of service – in 1833 the US Dragoon introduced downward pointing chevrons on the upper arm for rank – two for a corporal, three for a sergeant – which the rest of the army adopted in imitation

The 1847 regulations introduced upward pointing chevrons for rank, worn above the elbow, again two chevrons for corporals, three for sergeants – an upward-pointing chevron in dark blue on the lower sleeve was given for five years of service, with red borders for service in time of war. At the time of the Mexican-American war, some of the volunteer regiments used downward pointing chevrons (I have a picture of a sergeant from a South Carolina regiment with what look to be white downward pointing chevrons in Mexico)

The 1851 regulations specified downward pointing chevrons in branch colour for rank, above the elbow, two for corporals, three for sergeants, with upward pointing half-chevrons on the lower sleeve for five years of service, in branch colour with red borders for service in time of war – this was what was used during the Civil War

Malamute – hope this helps

After the discussion of chevrons earlier this week I made a search through all the Mexican War images in my library. James Walker, who in the 1850's produced many paintings of his experiences traveling with Scott's army, shows both upward and downward-pointing chevrons. It was probably a period of transition, with some infantry regiments emulating the dragoons and some not. Many companies of regulars had never before served in a regimental fomation, so it might vary even within regiments. I think that either method of wearing them would be correct, and a mix of both would probably give the most authentic look.

Jeffersonian: I agree – I have plates of sergeants wearing them both up and down as noted

Frederick/Jeffersonian – Thanks very, very much. I appreciate your efforts.

I have a crusty old sergeant 28mm character on the workbench for my new Boot Hill Miniatures range.

boothillminiatures.webs.com

So the help you have given me wil pay off in the look of Sergeant "Frederick Jefferson" Lightfoot! US Army deserter adventuring in Texas 1836!

Malamute: No problem!

I see you have some Presidial lancers – nice figs – I have some of the old First Corps ones that I will need to paint before the end of November for a game with the guys – I think yours look much nicer, and probably should get a few!

On that topic,do you happen to know what colour their saddlery were?

Hmmm, difficult one as all the evidence I have seen is contradictory.

Some pictures show green cloth, most show blue though, but others show Presidials riding with their own Mexican saddles, so its anybodies guess.

I have seen both green and blue as well – I think that the regular cavalry wore green trimmed red for at least part of the period – given the Presidials were semi-regulars, I suspect (like the US army chevrons) either would work