"MAW American Infantry - fatigue jackets, or not?" Topic

I just got Osprey 56, and the Adams book, and am a little confused. They do a good job explaining the regulation uniform, but what did American infantry actually wear into battle?

When painting line troops (Eureka 18's in this case), would everyone wear a dark blue uniform coat, or a light blue fatigue jacket, for Palo Alto?

All the Eurekas have caps – no shakos. Was this the norm? And if they have campaign caps, does that indicate that they have a light blue fatigue jacket too, instead of a dark blue uniform jacket?

No one wore the full dress Coatees.. Everyone would be in light blue shell jackets and trousers. Officers would wear a dark blue frock coat.All would wear the dark blue forage caps. A couple of the flying artillery batteries may have worn shakos and full dress blue jackets.

Thanks!

The Company of Military Historians has a plate,No.727,showing these.

They're having a great sale,too!

The US "flying" artillery units at Palo Alto were in their dark blue coatees and shakos, but the remaining US troops would be in coatees (except officers with the frock coat) and round caps (including officers). Even the dragoons wore a short jacket. Alas, Eureka does not make the flying artillery crew needed, although there used to be a 300 Club offering for them, and sadly they pulled their 300 Club before these got into production. Other than that their remaining figs are spot on for Palo Alto, except for not having an 18pdr for the Americans.

And of course these uniform details carry to Resaca de la Palma (shown below).

Great stuff, as usual.

Since Eureka doesn't make dismounted dragoons, do you guys just use a marker to show them dismounted? I was going to use ACW horse holders.

I suppose that I'll have to use ACW limbers as well.

Minifigs does a US Mexican War limber: link

I'm not sure how it will match size-wise with Eureka.

There are some great Minifigs US Mexican War bargains on ebay UK from Paul and Teresa Baily just now. If anyone is interested.

old Glory make the "Flying Artillery" dress uniform figures.

Note there was an all white cotton uniform too -- but the nights were considered too cold for it to be issued. Some officers may have worn white cotton pants however.