Identifying the uniforms worn our Patriots and to include a discussion each Colony/State's role in the events of the Revolutionary War will continue as a Supplement to our monthly Newsletter.
But, here in the Blog, I will continue to add bits and pieces of background information so as not to repeat the same information for each of the Colony.
Early in the War, a standard uniform for any Colony either did not yet exist or didn't exist in the quality needed for expanded numbers of soldiers. Some Militias already had their own uniform colors.
Often the first uniforms were from the French and Indian War or were the common working or hunting dress of a soldier. Supplies were augumented from captured British uniforms or from imports from France and Spain. One American merchant ordered from France 30,000 yards of blue and of brown cloth. The Spanish alone supplied about 30,000 complete uniforms and the cloth for making more.
On 4th November 1775 Congress adopted brown as the first official color of the Continental Army. The various Regiments were distinguished by different color collars, cuffs, and lapels.
Any uniform or garment worn by soldiers in the field of battle did not last long and required replacing.
On 2nd October 1779, General Washington issued a General Order which set the standard for American dress regulations. The Infantry were to be clothed in dark blue, with different facings and distinctions for groups of states.
One dress that was wore when none of other were available, was the hunting frock or rifle dress. These were the type of preferred uniform of the frontiersman soldier of Pennsylvania, Virginia, etc. It was derived from Indian clothing and consisted of an unbleached homespun or deerskin shirt, or 'frock' fringed deerskin leggings and moccasins. Gen. Washington gave his official approval of this dress and required that 10,000 sets be made for the Army.
prepared by Jim Penny