| Jeigheff | 16 Dec 2015 6:10 p.m. PST |
Hi folks, I recently acquired some 15mm Minifigs Mexican-American War figures at a convention, with the idea of using them as early war Civil War militia or volunteer units. Some of the figures are Mississippi riflemen wearing slouch hats and smocks; others are U.S. regulars wearing the well-known M1839 forage cap. In all truthfulness, I haven't been able to find out about any ACW units which were dressed like these particular 15mm MAW figures. For what it's worth, I have read that the M1839 cap was used by some Confederates, perhaps on an individual basis. And I also have a memory of seeing a video of some re-enactors at one of the anniversaries of the battle of Wilson's Creek who wore smocks and slouch hats. Besides that, I'm stuck. So if any of you have any information about ACW units which might fit the appearance of these figures, I'd like to hear about it. I got the 15mm MAW figures for next to nothing. If they just won't work for the ACW, I can live with that. But I thought I'd ask the experts first, before putting some farb miniature units on the table top! Thanks in advance for your help. Jeff |
Extrabio1947  | 16 Dec 2015 6:47 p.m. PST |
I don't know of any ACW early war units that were issued the 1839 forage cap (also called a wheel cap or mechanics cap), but it was certainly worn by individuals who favored such. From experience, I can tell you they are fairly uncomfortable and soak up water like sponges when it rains. The large flat crown tends to concentrate water rather than shed it. |
 Extra Crispy  | 16 Dec 2015 7:00 p.m. PST |
I wouldn't put them on the table as line troops. But just for funsies you could paint them up somewhat fanciful and put them out as a fictional unit. A lot of the early units had very grand names and uniforms (usually only amounted to a company or two raised by a local posh). But make them a home guard just raised, call them The North Tennessee Fencibles Guard, give them a great looking mounted officer, and go! |
| 79thPA | 16 Dec 2015 8:12 p.m. PST |
Besides some 1861 town or county militia unit, you are not going to find anyone who looks like that. Even then, you are pushing it. |
| Ryan T | 16 Dec 2015 8:34 p.m. PST |
Hello Jeff, You might be able to paint the troops with slouch hats and smocks as the 3rd Missouri Volunteer Infantry. This was a 3 month regiment that fought at Carthage and Wilson's Creek in 1861. The regiment was uniformed with slouch hats, gray smocks/blouses trimed with a red collar or red neckerchief, and dark (gray?) trousers. The officers wore dark blue frock coats. The Philadelphia Depot Pattern US National flag carried by the regiment was inscribed with "III. Regiment / MISSOURI VOLUNTEERS / Lyon's Fahnenwacht" in the 3rd, 4th, and 5th red stripes. The Carthage Civil War Museum has a 7 by 15 foot mural depicting the regiment in its retreat through Carthage. The mural is shown at the top of this page: link |
| Wackmole9 | 16 Dec 2015 9:41 p.m. PST |
I think some of the Texan units in the New mexico campaign had Mexican war uniforms. |
| A P Hill | 17 Dec 2015 5:30 a.m. PST |
Trans-Mississippi. MANY early battles fought in these areas of the "west". If you are creative you can find ways to use these miniatures and if not then let me know maybe we can swing a deal. |
| Frederick | 17 Dec 2015 5:40 a.m. PST |
As noted I would mix them in with other troops in early war uniforms and different hats |
| Jeigheff | 17 Dec 2015 6:02 a.m. PST |
Hi folks, Thanks for all the answers and ideas! Ryan, thanks for the info about the 3rd Missouri Volunteer infantry and the link to the mural. That's exactly what I was looking for. That means I can put the Mississippi Rifle guys to good use as the 3rd Missouri. As for the figures in the M1839 caps, the best thing to do would be to mix them in with other Confederates. My 15mm ACW collection (being reborn and painted) doesn't have much in the way of exotic units for either side. But my parents are from Missouri, and Dad's family is from the area of the Lake of the Ozarks and Springfield. I've also visited Wilson's Creek on my own. So I'm looking forward to adding the 3rd Missouri, a whopping 24 figures, to my miniature Union army. |
| Ryan T | 17 Dec 2015 7:05 p.m. PST |
Hello Jeff, Glad to help. A video showing off the recreated national flag can be seen here: link It also shows off several interpretations of the uniform. The regimental flag can be seen here: link |
| Jeigheff | 18 Dec 2015 6:08 a.m. PST |
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| Old Contemptibles | 18 Dec 2015 2:46 p.m. PST |
I mix Mex-War figs into some of my CS units. I paint them a little different so they fit in better. There is no definite rule but looking at photographs and paintings you can see those earlier uniforms, especially the headgear. |
| TKindred | 20 Dec 2015 8:02 a.m. PST |
Keep in mind that, after 1861, most of those alleged M1839 caps were actually civilian caps. That same style was called a "mechanics cap" and was worn by factory me and railway workers all over these United States. It could be found in a variety of colors, although many were also made of black painted cloth, or even, just before the war, of rubberized materials. Here's an image of a Confederate soldier wearing a painted cloth cap. link
Virtually all of the actual M1839 style caps you find in use are being worn by officers, rather than in the ranks. That, at least, is what extant images show.
Here's an image of a reproduction civilian "mechanic's cap"
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prepares to do some regimental-level ACW gaming.
