"Mixed Regimental Uniform Colors?" Topic

Doing a little research on Regimental uniforms for the Americans during the war of 1812 and I came across some thing interesting. Some of the Regiments were apparently issued two different color uniform coats. Some have a date that they switched from one color to another, but others just state that there are two different colors. Example: The 10th Regiment has listed as their colors "blue coatees and brown coatees. also, the 8th Regiment is listed as having 1812 pattern brown coatees 'finished with binding', and black coatees. Would there just be a mix of these, or would it be one or the other and it just happened to change at some time but, no one knows when?

My understanding is that the Americans had blue coats going into the war. The Royal Navy blockade cut into the import of dyes needed to make the blue coats. The blue coats and blue cloth to make new coats gradually ran out. Cloth could be produced here, but only locally produced dyes were available. You can't have the lads running around naked, so replacement clothing was produced, largely in browns, greys, or black. So, early war, blue coats; late war, brown, black, or grey; and in between a mixture as the blue coats wore out.

Winfield Scott made an effort to issue grey coats for the regiments in his brigade in 1814, so they would all match. Other units would issue whatever was in stock, so some regiments would be in a mix of colors.

Grelber

The US Army changed uniform based on season after 1813. The Uniform of 1812 was known for the bell topped felt shako. This can be seen by the attached regular army officers in the massacre at Forts Mims woodcutting.
The Belgic leather shako was issued in 1813 and in the South, two uniforms was issued. A white linen coat and pants used in Summer. The blue wool coat and gray pants was for winter. The Spring of 1814 had been cold, so soldiers were still wearing blue wool coats at Battle of Horseshoe Bend.
Militia and volunteers (State uniformed) only had one uniform.
The Georgia/ Carolina contingent did not have Regular troops attached. So variety of uniforms was great. The Georgia 1812 contingent was even issued Tarleton light infantry helmets. Carolina 1813-14 units tended to wear wide brim slouch hats.

In 1812 the 16th US foot was initially issued black uniforms instead of blue. They were so pleased with them that they requested and received black uniforms for the subsequent 1813 issue.

The US never really had a uniform shortage per se. The factories, mostly around Philadelphia, could amply supply the USA army. The problem was the the Federal Government also had to supply the state militia's uniforms (an enticement to actually go on campaign) before they could supply their own USA federal troops. The USA had a pretty advanced supply and munitions system for such a large country by the end of the war.

There is a paragraph on this topic in the booklet "The War of 1812 – A Wargamer's Guide Part 1" by Richard Barbuto.

US regiments had 10 companies per battalion but it was not usually possible to recruit sufficient men at once for a full battalion and there was a pressing need for men at the front. As an example, If there were enough for 5 companies, they were equipped with blue tunics and trained then sent off to say Buffalo. Recruitment continued and the next three companies may have been issued with black tunics and sent to Sackett's Harbour. The last two could end up with grey tunics and be sent to Plattsburgh. At some point, the companies would be combined to form a full battalion but wore different colour tunics.