Bernhard Rauch | 26 Jul 2015 5:58 a.m. PST |
I am looking for information about the uniforms of US volunteer units during the Mexican American War. Does anyone know what resources are out there? |
ACWBill | 26 Jul 2015 6:02 a.m. PST |
Most were dressed in the same uniforms as the US Regulars. There were some exceptions, of course, but after a few months in the field, all the replacement uniforms came from the same stock. They wore the light blue jacket and pants and the M1839 Fatigue Cap. |
Prince Alberts Revenge | 26 Jul 2015 6:13 a.m. PST |
I'd recommend War in Mexico by Anton Adams: link There were some units dressed differently (including Mississippi Rifles and some unit in tricornes I think), as ACWBill mentioned, these wore out quick and were replaced by the kersey of the regulars. I want to say some of the volunteers had a slightly different look (either a shade dark or lighter on the uniform). |
PaulCollins | 26 Jul 2015 7:47 a.m. PST |
I second the Anton Adams book. Excellent resource. |
Oh Bugger | 26 Jul 2015 9:57 a.m. PST |
There was a Morman unit with red shirts and white canvas trousers. Texan units could be in Buckskins. |
ACWBill | 26 Jul 2015 11:05 a.m. PST |
At Buena Vista the MS rifles wore red shirts, white canvas trousers, straw hats and bowie knives. |
Choctaw | 26 Jul 2015 2:25 p.m. PST |
If creating a Texas unit, a few could be in buckskins but don't overdo it. They weren't mountain men. |
Rudysnelson | 27 Jul 2015 7:49 a.m. PST |
Volunteer units since the War of 1812 were provided by several sources. The State would provide some units while a local county or city would finance them. Another source was the unit captain or colonel. This practice continued until the Civil War. |
sloophmsstarling | 10 Jan 2016 4:58 p.m. PST |
Here's a third vote for Anton Adam's book. This book is an excellent resource with color plates of many different units including State volunteer regiments, battle descriptions with maps and orders of battle, comments on organization and tactics, a chapter on the naval war, discussions on each of the theaters, and much more. This is a vital resource for anyone interested in the Mexican-American War. |
TKindred | 11 Jan 2016 6:45 a.m. PST |
The Mormon Battalion never saw action. It was kept in transit between the Utah territory and California for most of it's (short) existence. |