United States Military Clothing Of The Civil War

Part I

Foreign Military And Civilian Influences On Uniform Styles

1851 - 1860

No detailed study of American military fashion in the pre-Civil War period is possible without first looking at the role played by technology and world change. The United States had just emerged from the Mexican War in 1848 and the shortcomings of her military equipage were painfully real. The American infantryman was uniformed and supplied much as he had been forty years before. A more modern approach was needed to prepare the American soldier to face the new responsibilities of guarding the nearly 2,000,000 square miles just gained from Mexico's defeat. The Army General Staff found that guidance in the person of Napoleon III.

With his raise to power, the French army gained a new degree of respect in Europe as the most influencial leader in all things military. The French were very advanced in the realm of practical service dress. Special attention was paid to the needs of the troops over that of pomp and finery. For field wear the French soldier wore a comfortable jacket with low skirts, soft lowered collar, and buttons were kept to a minimum. For campaign duty he also sported a cloth cap and loose, non-form fitting trousers with a front fly opening.

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