"6mm Gettysburg uniforms" Topic

I am not really a civil war enthusiast as such but I am doing a Gettysburg project in 6mm with each base equaling a brigade. Without wishing to spend a huge amount of time delving in books that I have not got (as it were) can anyone point out any brigades that contained regiments with unusual uniforms at the battle. Zouves etc.. that could break up the monotony of painting brown, blue or grey coated fellows. Or point me to a source of such information.

Thank you.

The good news is that there are a number of Union brigades that will fit the bill – the black-hatted Iron Brigade, of course, and at least 3 zouave regiments as well (84th NY, 146th NY, and the 114th PA).

The bad news is – no break from grey. The days of distinctive Confederate unit uniforms was long past. The best you can do is vary your greys/grey-browns. Most ANV troops wore predominantly issued clothing (again, the days of homespun were mostly over) and as entire units tended to receive re-issue at once, you're justified in painting most or all of a brigade's jackets in a single shade. Do keep blue trousers to a minimum.

That's just the sort of info I am after thank you.

Did any of the regulars in Vincent's Brigade (Union V corps?) still have the Hardee hat?

Was it the 114th PA that provided the band for Grant in 1864+ and did they have that same function with Meade?

The Irish Brigade was still intact with Hancock. Did they retain any distinctive uniform items?

I think the 1st and (maybe) 2nd USS (Berdans) were there? That all green uniform is pretty cool.

I used the Gettysburg in the Grand Manner article from one of the early Wargames illustrated articles to do the same. Probably by Peter Gilder?

The regulars had sack coats and forage caps at Gettysburg. Hardee hats were for dress and not usually carried. I do know the regulars in the Army of the Cumberland kept their scales and hats in the baggage for reveille each day.

Yes, the 114th PA was was assigned to Meade's provost guard for 1864-65.

The Irish Brigade did not have distinctive uniforms other than New York state issued shell jackets. I'm not sure if they had them at Gettysburg.

The US Sharpshooters had green hats and pants, but mostly blue sack coats at Gettysburg. It was a temporary supply issue.

Weed's Brigade (91 PA, 155 PA, 140 NY & 146 NY) were dressed in chasseur uniforms. They had been given them as a reward for their excellent drill. As Cleburne noted, the Regulars wore ordinary fatigue uniforms. The Frock Coats, Hardee Hats and shoulder scales were all packed away after 1st Bull Run.

The 72nd PA (2nd Brigade, 2nd Division, II Corps) were zouves, as were the 74th NY (2nd brigade, 2nd Division, III Corps) and several others, I believe.

Can of grey and a can of blue spray-paint.
Bob's your uncle.

Cheers everyone. Appreciated, I may use a little artistic licence for some of these suggestions. However in 6mm minor details are not going to show much anyway.

My real worry was ploughing away at massed ranks of blue and grey, getting it all done then realising I had missed a few potential colourful units out.

Brad,

The Irish Brigade did not have distinctive uniforms other than New York state issued shell jackets. I'm not sure if they had them at Gettysburg.

As far as I know they did, up until the reforming of the Brigade in early 1864.

It was only ever the three New York Regiments that had the shell jackets as you point out. That said, as these three added together at Gettysburg, only fielded 240 men, I'm thinking that in 6mm we might give the OP a pass on this! Although if mega detail is the thing, then fielding half the Brigade so dressed would do, there were only 532 present on the day in total!

Assuming you can actually get 6mm Shell Jackets in the first place. It would be lost on me these days. That's why my Irish are in 28mm ! 😉