"72nd Philadelphia Fire Zouaves" Topic

I am painting up my 72nd PA and I think that the NCO stripes and officer straps were in red, but I do not want to trust my memory. The Troiani painting is a PVT. Anyone?

I think you are right as I had looked this up a while ago, but away from my library – will check tonight

Try blue stripes edged in red. I'm working from memory here, just like Frederick.

I'm willing to bet there is a group that reenacts the unit, try looking them up to see if they have photos.

I did, they had no photos.

Here is a link to the reenactor unit. I have found that if you ask for photos or information a lot of these guys are more than willing to help out.

link

The stripe on Baxter's trousers (the ones he wore) is just red. My Son-in-Law is in the re-enacting unit linked above, their uniforms are correct and custom made. The only problem they have is with the buttons as the original style (3/4 round) are no longer made the same way. Their uniforms are based off originals and not prints nor photos.
Baxter's trousers are on display at the GAR Museum in the Frankford section of Philadelphia.

2 companies (K & I) of the 69th PVI were also uniformed in the same uniform except it was trimmed in Green. These companies (referred to as "The American Companies") pulled duty as Baker's body guard when he commanded the Philadelphia Brigade. The other 8 companies of the 69th were originally issued dark blue "jackets" trimmed in green piping and dark blue trousers. What I have not been able to find out is what color the NCO's chevrons were. I have found one photo of a private (later sergeant and killed at Gettysburg) taken in Philadelphia when the regiment was being formed. In it he is wearing a mounted shell jacket. It is possible that this regiment was given the left over mounted rifle jackets (that unit was changing over to 3rd cav. and there was surplus of old uniforms at the Phila. QM depot) or it is just a photographer's prop.

Thanks for the info. Now though I may have to repaint my 69th PA. It has been a challenge finding out some of these details. Right now I rely on Troiani.

69th wasn't in those uniforms long. During the 7 Days campaign the whole brigade received something like 6 new uniform issues. Every-time they passed through a supply depot they were told to take new clothing.
There was reportedly only one of the American Company jackets still being worn by Gettysburg.

Also if you are interested the 71st PVI (aka California Regiment) was also issues a non-standard uniform in the early days. The uniform was a NY militia pattern uniform, but all grey trimmed in red (as the pattern of the NYC militia heavy artillery units). This was then changed to the Blue NYSM pattern jacket trim in light blue with light blue trousers.

The 4th regiment in the Philadelphia Brigade, the 106th PVI, I'm still trying to document their early uniforms. I haven't come up with much that would indicate anything special was worn, although I did find a photo of a private wearing a frock coat that had a button and false loop on each side of the collar. But nothing to support this as being an issued item or a personal modification.

AICUSV said:

I have found one photo of a private (later sergeant and killed at Gettysburg) taken in Philadelphia when the regiment was being formed. In it he is wearing a mounted shell jacket. It is possible that this regiment was given the left over mounted rifle jackets (that unit was changing over to 3rd cav. and there was surplus of old uniforms at the Phila. QM depot) or it is just a photographer's prop.

I wouldn't have any problem believing that these guys were issued with Mounted Rifles jackets. That early in the war, there were all sorts of demands being made upon the QM departments, and those guys went out of their way to get rid of all the old stuff on their shelves.

A similar situation occurred with regard to Johnston's Army and the Utah Expedition. The Army had switched to the new pattern uniforms, and the QM's took advantage of the situation to issue Johnston's men all the surplus clothing of the Mexican-War pattern still on the rolls.

Todd's remarks upon eye-witness accounts of his columns looking like they were made up of detachments of every military unit in the US Army. Infantrymen with Dragoon coats and Artillery caps, etc.

Similar thing happened post-war. Custer's men were equipped with CW accoutrements and horse tack modified to the new 1872 requirements. Heck, it wasn't until the late 1870's that the last of the CW modified gear was used up by the regulars, and some accounts of the US Volunteers going to Cuba have them still using CW period shelter tents, and modified canteens and rubber blankets.

V/R

Very interesting. It is great to find something to make unts stand out from the great blue wave, but I don't want to paint anything that was not used for at least a decent amount of time. Thanks for the info.

I've read accounts of CW surplus still being used in WWII. Rubber blanket issue as ground cloths, Sibly tents used in training camps, and even German POWs being issued Confederate uniforms (North Carolina jackets). Model 1863 Springfield rifles, along with cartridge boxes and bayonets issued to Burmese militia.

When Lincoln gave Baker (they had been personal friends, Lincoln son Ted was named after Baker) his commission to form the Philadelphia Brigade he also gave him the authority to requisition uniforms and equipment from the Philadelphia QM Depot ahead of anyone else. I've read two different accounts as to the origin of the 71st's uniforms. One said they had been originally made for a Southern State and not finished until after war broke out (I don't really believe this one) and the other said then were intended for the 8th NYSM (Heavy Artillery unit). Having seen a couple originals my money is on them being for NY. The PA pattern zouave uniforms for the 69th,&72nd had all been made by Jacob Reed and Sons of Philadelphia under contract for the QMD.

Oh, if you are painting the 72nd you may be interested to note that all the original canteens I've seen for them were drab (a muddy dark tan) with a "72" in black on them. As were the ones for the 71st. While the 106th and the 69th appear to have been dark blue and marked in white.

This had been great info. I am doing the IIcorps, 2nd Division. I am almost done, but can go back and paint little things. I already went back to give the 20th Mass red blankets. It is nice, gives them something to stand out.