"Generals of militia" Topic

In Southern Campaing some Militia brigades were led by generals (militia generals).
What uniform such generals could wear ?

What uniform such generals could wear ?

Probably anything they liked.

Sumter and Marion would probably kit themselves out in Continental uniforms for their state.
Both had political aspirations and it would look much more impressive.

Which is basically what MajorB said.

And probably as gaudy as possible for some of them.

In certain circumstances Continental officers were detached to organize and lead militia (such as Smallwood was for the Brandywine campaign for Maryland militia). You would have to see if any were in command like that, otherwise they likely wore civlian clothing.

A good topic of discussion would be which militia "generals" were the most difficult.
Ethan Allen, John Stark, Sumter….

But then with the exception of ex British or foreign generals, practically all the American generals could be classified "militia generals".

I'd like to report a hijacking in progress…

Not sure what that means. Our point is that if they were regular officers then they would wear their regular uniform.

Thomas Sumter, the Gamecock

Painted in 1795 by Peale. It need not be mentioned that a painter painted how the subject wanted to be seen,
There is also this, which
I suspect MIGHT contin aome fanciful elements.

Francis Marion, the Swamp Fox

Again, a very late portrait, and looks quite hot for South Carolina swamps.
Probably better.

I think we can safely question powdered wigs on campaign in South Carolina summer.

So it seems they mostly wore regular general's uniforms.

So those seem to be 1790s uniform with the higher standing collar. The hair styles are certainly 1790s, not Rev War. Point being – I don't think you can say they wore those (1790s) uniforms during the Rev War (or those hair styles).

Sumter:

"In February 1776, Sumter was elected lieutenant colonel of the Second Regiment of the South Carolina Line of which he was later appointed colonel. He subsequently was appointed brigadier general, a post he held until the end of the war."

He could have just worn his continental uniform.

@historygamer
Good point about 90's portraits.

I said they were 1795 uniforms when I posted the pictures.
I also said that an oil painting showed how the subject wished to be depicted.
I never said they were evidence of what he wore in the war.

A number of militia officers were previously officers in continental or otherwise uniformed services. It would not be surprising that those officers would have continued wearing those uniforms when they took over militia commands. For others I think the two trends would be to dress as finely as service conditions permitted or to dress down to the level of their troops.

You did Winston, I was just reinforcing that point before others took off running with the paintings.

I recently saw someone post a picture of a figure of Washington, which was sculpted in his 1790s uniform (25/28mm – so very noticeable). Nice figure, but wrong for the Rev War.

I think what would set the militia general off would be the fact that he was mounted.

My sense from the more or less contemporary illustrations and accounts, for the Southern Campaign anyway, is that the lowland senior officers wore Continental uniforms or something very close. And BTW they would have called you out (i.e. challenged you to a duel) if they heard you calling them "militia" generals.

The upland senior officers, however, wore back-country dress. Because they couldn't afford, or didn't have access to, proper uniforms? Or to relate better to their men? Who knows. Daniel Morgan's dress is a good example of this.

Or possibly not to stand out – British and German riflemen got quite good at picking off officers, too.