"Legion of the United States" Topic

Is there a good reference for the organization, structure, equipment, uniforms, and force levels of the Legion of the United States

Is there a good reference for the organization, structure, equipment, uniforms, and force levels of the Legion of the United States

I would suggest Osprey's Men At Arms 352 "The United States Army 1783 – 1811" and Campaign 256 "Fallen Timbers 1794".

Great choices Glengarry. I'd also recommend Alan Gaff's excellent Bayonets in the Wilderness, which focuses on the issues of organization and structure and provides a great account of the Fallen Timbers campaign. Some very good stuff.

Jaxenro,
This comes from the State Papers of the US published somewhere in the 1790's. I did not note that at the time of my research back in the 1980s. This is from item #8 2nd Congress, 2nd Session. Buckle up.
Legionary staff – 1 Maj.Gen, 2 aides, 1 adjutant, 1 Maj. of cavalry, 1 major of artillery,1 quartermaster,1 deputy quartermaster, 1 chaplain and 1 surgeon.
4 sublegions. Each with 1280 enlisted, ncos,musicians and officers
Each with 1 troop of dragoons
1 capt.,1 Lt., 1 cornet, 6 sgt.,6 corp.,1 farrier, 1 saddler, 1 trumpeter and 65 dragoons
Each with 1 compy of artillery
1 Capt., 2 lts., 4 sgts., 4 corp., 2 musicisans and 50 pprivates including 10 artificers.
Each with 2 btn of infantry and 1 Btn of Riflemen.
Each btn has 1 maj., 1 adjutant, 1 quartermaster, 1 surgeons mate,1 sgt. maj., 1 Quartermaster sgt, 1 senior musician AND
4 companies each to consist of 1 capt., 1 lt., 1 ensign, 6 sgts., 6 corps., 2 musicians and 82 privates.
The Rifle company the same except one bugler and 82 privates Uniform details to follow H

Legion uniform This is from the Company of Military Historians uniform plate #5
Quoting Wayne's order of Sept.11, 1792,"The officers being arranged to the 4 sub legions it now becomes expedient to give those Legions distinctive marks, which are to be as follows:
The first sub legion white binding upon their Caps with white plumes and black hair.
The second sub legion Red bindings to their caps, red plumes and whit hair.
The 3rd sublegion – yellow bindings to their caps- yellow plumes and black hair.
The4th sub legion- Green bindings to their caps withGreen Plumes and white hair.
Later tails of slain cattle were ordered added to th caps.
Between 92 and 94 round hats were issued with a strip of bearskin across the crown. Light dragoons wore a light dragoon helmet with US and then a secon row with LD on the front. I am still confused as to the martial costuming of the artillery but you could probably get away with the AWI artillery figures. Thats all I know.
Wiley Sword' book on Washington's Indian Wars is a good read. IF you get the chance try to contact Buckeye Darryl on this forum. He know WAAAY more than I do even though he labors under the illusion that George Thomas was not one of the best Union generals of the war. Nobody is perfect. H PS Apologies for the inconsistent grammar and caps. Arthritis is making me sloppy.

I happen to be painting some now. I'm using the Osprey Fallen Timbers book and have the MAA 1783-1811 on the way.

Ferd45321,do you know what the order is referring to regarding hair color?

rvandusen,
Apologies for the delay. I failed to note that I can find no evidence of white hair. I took that reference to be the bearskin hair and that such an item (short of a polar expedition) would prove too costly. If there is anyone who could give a more cogent answer I would be delighted to see it. Sorry for the confusion. H

The black and white hair for the hats (caps) in Wayne's order of 1792 was all from cattle. In 1794, all the hats (not caps) had black bearskin. It's all explained in Osprey Men At Arms 352, pgs 13 & 14.

If you're interested in the Legion, we re-enact soldiers of the 4th Sub Legion at Woodville Plantation, outside Pittsburgh. Our webpage is wayneslegion.org