BeefForDinner | 23 Oct 2016 6:23 p.m. PST |
Does anyone have any sources on what the standard uniform for the 1st USSS was at Gettysburg? I've had a little searching around on google and there are posts by people claiming they were wearing regular Union dress of blue, some saying blue sack coats but green pants and some saying blue sack coats with grey pants. It's all quite confusing and any help would be greatly appreciated. |
Onomarchos | 23 Oct 2016 8:50 p.m. PST |
Some men would have dark blue sack coats and some would have had light blue trousers. This was common–when items were worn out or in need of being replaced, some Sharpshooters just used what they could find until they could be resupplied with Berdan colors. But, my understanding is thst the standard uniform was in forest green with black rubber buttons |
Ryan T | 23 Oct 2016 8:51 p.m. PST |
The following summarizes various online discussions of the USSS uniform that I have added to my files over time. The use of gray trousers is only documented early in the war. A September 6, 1861, New York newspaper article describes the departure of the two USSS regiments and refers to "gray pantaloons." From 1861 through early 1862 it is possible that sky blue trousers were in use, but these were subsequently replaced with dark green trousers which were in use until the end of the regiments' enlistment. The high leather leggings were not replaced after their initial issue so by mid-1863 they were not very common. The hair covered "Prussian" knapsacks were often replaced with the regulation black knapsack used by the rest of the army. There is good evidence that the green coats were exchanged for blue blouses in the early summer of 1863. James Matthews (Co. D, 2nd USSS) stated in his diary that on the 7th of June 1863 "our green coats are to be turned in and blouses drawn in their place." The following day he wrote "boxes up our extra clothing and turned it over to the Q.M. Sergt. Turned in one green coat and one woolen blanket and one pair pants." But, just to make things interesting, a letter dated June 6, 1863, written by Pvt. Daniel Barnes (Co H, 2nd USSS) states that "The regiment has been ordered to turn in our green coats and draw blouses. We all expected the army blue as this is what we had received before, but imagine our surprise when we received blouses of fine green material. The cloth is a nice loose kirsy [sic] and is much lighter than our coats. The buttons are black rubber, and overall the blouse presents a fine appearance." This is the only known reference to green blouses and blue blouses are known to exist so the issuance of green blouses most likely was very limited. Thus for Gettyburg I would have the sharpshooters mostly wearing a green kepi, blue sack coats/blouses, and green trousers. Maybe have one stand with green sack coats/blouses and give a few figures leather leggings. If the figures have knapsacks use a mix of the original "Prussian" pattern and the common black-painted cloth pattern. |
tommyb2985 | 23 Oct 2016 11:01 p.m. PST |
That's some good info Ryan. |
BeefForDinner | 24 Oct 2016 3:26 a.m. PST |
Amazing information Ryan, thank you so much |
Garryowen | 24 Oct 2016 5:42 a.m. PST |
What is really good about the info is that it consists of quotes from diaries, not the usual internet opinion often stated as though it were a fact. Tom |
jowady | 24 Oct 2016 7:44 a.m. PST |
A couple of years ago I was researching this question as regards my 1-1 diorama project of the 20th ME at Little Round Top (about 12 men from the 2nd USSS joined up with the 20th after having harassed Oates and his Alabamians during their advance {they did such a good job that they had Oates convinced that he was "driving" two Union Regiments}) Chamberlain sent them out with "B" Company as skirmishers but they wound up hunkered down behind the stone wall as the Alabamians hit the line before they could deploy. They would subsequently play a part in the Charge of "B" Company into Oates' rear while the rest of the 20th hit Oates from the front. The ORs say that, with the start of the campaign season in Spring of 1863 The Sharpshooters turned in their winter uniforms and that every soldier was issued 1 dress uniform and 2 fatigue uniforms. At the time I assumed that these would have been the Green uniforms. Now I have been told by some reenactors that these fatigue uniforms would have been the standard issue Union uniform, dark blue jacket, sky blue pants (one reenactor even went so far as to call me stupid for thinking that they would have been green). However the reenactors who played the 2nd USSS in the movie "Gettysburg" were all in green. Now there are a few flies in the ointment here. One is that the Union "sky blue" pants tended to fade to a fairly light blue green. In fact when I first started painting Union Troops back in the 90s you could get the color (I'm trying to remember which) either from Floquil or Howard Hues paints (I wish that I could get that color, it was perfect for troops on active campaign). So there is a possibility that the very light green may be because of this. But while I was doing my research I ran into this site; link which seemed to both clear things up and muddy the waters at the same time. In many ways, in 28mm at least, the Perry USSS may be the best solution in that they offer a variety of uniforms. For me at Gettysburg that probably works best. I would just add here that I am not a uniform expert, I'm just sharing what I ran across. |
ScottWashburn | 24 Oct 2016 8:09 a.m. PST |
It's hard to say what they were wearing at any given moment. I do know that a factory in Philadelphia was contracted to supply replacement green uniforms for the sharpshooters. After they mustered out in late '64 there were enough of the green uniforms left over that an newly raised Pennsylvania regiment (number is in the 200's forget the exact one) was issued the green uniforms and wore them on campaign. |
Ryan T | 24 Oct 2016 8:28 a.m. PST |
The article written by Bill Skillman found at the bottom of this page has some good observations. link Skillman also wrote an article on the USSS uniforms at Gettyburg. A PDF of it is at PDF link Looking back at what I wrote ealier I should have said "Thus for Gettyburg I would have the sharpshooters mostly wearing a green kepi, blue sack coats/blouses, and green or light blue trousers". |
BeefForDinner | 17 Nov 2016 9:13 a.m. PST |
jowady, do you have pictures of your diorama? I've started on a much smaller diorama and would love to see what you've done |
BeefForDinner | 17 Nov 2016 12:56 p.m. PST |
So the problem I have with this now is that the Perry Miniatures that I ordered all have frock coats on. I think I'll have to paint them green as I haven't seen (and haven't been told) that they were issued blue frock coats and it would be strange if they had been. I may paint some with blue trousers though to show that some have changed their kit somewhat or need items replsced |
mysteron | 18 Nov 2016 4:45 a.m. PST |
As an idea why not mix a couple in from the new Perry's Plastic Union skirmisher set to add more variety and they could represent new recruits or guys with replacement uniforms. A bit of modellers licence perhaps . |