"Union / Confederate Blues" Topic

Would be grateful for some advice on the colour of union trousers.I use Vallejo paints,I'm happy with my jacket selection (Imperial Blue) but undecided on Blue Grey,Sky Blue etc for trousers.Any other suggestions?Collect 10mm figures.Also have read at certain times during ACW Confederates wore Blue trousers, what shades would they be, suggestions of paints to use.Thanks in advance

I mostly use sky blue in 10mm and 5mm. But I wouldn't worry too much. The trousers blue seems to have faded and stained enough to give you some leeway. CSA blue trousers not only matched Union blue trousers, they often WERE Union blue trousers. It caused some comment at the time.

Unless you are creating a specific regiment, either of the Vallejo colors would work---dyes used on clothing in that time were not standard, and any hard campaigning would fade them, too.

For Confederates, use same colors for most part. The Rebs either wore pre-war uniforms or captured Union clothing.

I've always used Sky Blue and/or Deep Sky Blue for Union pants and CSA pants. but I go vary sparingly with the blue CSA pants.

You might find this thread informative: TMP link

And this: link

Aside from one here and there I never give my CA blue pants.

As any ACW reenactor – who has participated in large battles – know, a body of infantry advancing through the smoke wearing blue trousers is Union. If a body of Confederates is wearing blue trousers, they will likely be mistaken for Federals.

So like others have said, go light – very light – on CS blue trousers.

You have a certain degree of flexibility in choosing blues. The 1889 directions for contractors (and presumably all previous uniform regulations) pretty much said "Drop by the office and we'll give you a swatch to match." Not the most scientific approach at best, as the guy matching the colors might be color blind or color deficient, or the contractor might opt to use a cheaper combination of dyes and mordants. Also not like things today, where you might be given information on the Federal standard color or define the color by some wave length or something.

Grelber

Thanks for all the advice,much appreciated.Think my Rebs will stick with grey and butternut.

Here's a site that might be of interest regarding CS greys: bnbtart.com/index.html

His site used to have information regarding the dye process and etc., but I'm not seeing anything in particular after a quick look.

In brief, the process of using sumac or logwood (vegetable based dyes) entails using a mordant (like iron) to "sadden" the color for a grey. However, this result isn't color fast and is prone to fading.

In a former life reenacting, I did an experiment using staghorn sumac (the non-poisonous kind) boiled in a large iron kettle on a linen shirt. After a good soaking (most of the day), the shirt came out a deep charcoal, however, after a week of sunlight, started to fade and have a hint of brown.

I have also used some of Ben Tart's material and experimented with the effects of sun on it. A canteen cover is grey under the strap but the face is a nice oatmeal grey shade.

Hope this helps.

j

Thanks Yankee Tiger,an interesting site.