Eventually, the uniforms became more standard with the Union army wearing navy colored uniforms and the Confederates wearing grey. The Union uniform consisted of a dark blue wool coat with light blue trousers and a dark cap called a forage cap. They typically wore shoes that went up to their ankles called “brogans”.

What color were civil war uniforms?

Why did the Union wear blue and the Confederacy wear grey during the Civil War? Old hunters and Indian fighters of the pre-Civil War era wore blue or light gray so they would not stand out at a distance. This tradition was carried over into the selection of army uniform colors.

What did Confederate soldiers wear?

The typical uniform of the Confederate soldier was a forage or slouch hat, gray or butternut wool shell jacket, gray, butternut, or blue trousers, and brogans. A haversack was used to carry personal items.

What were civil war uniforms made of?





The uniforms were made of cotton from the southern cotton fields. As the uniforms underwent the rigors of war, they turned a brownish color, which inspired the nickname “Butternuts“ for the Confederate soldiers.

How many uniforms were in the Civil War?

During the years 1860 – 1865 there were 3 distinct types of uniform in use by the United States Armed Forces.

Who wore blue in Civil War?

the Union Army



The soldiers of the Union Army wore blue uniforms and the soldiers of the Confederate Army wore gray. Today, that’s how many people remember the two sides—the North wore blue, and the South wore gray.

Why did the South wear grey?

At the time of the American Civil War, the usefulness of camouflage was not generally recognized. Gray was chosen for Confederate uniforms because gray dye could be made relatively cheaply and it was the standard uniform color of the various State Militias.



How did Civil War soldiers dress?

Eventually, the uniforms became more standard with the Union army wearing navy colored uniforms and the Confederates wearing grey. The Union uniform consisted of a dark blue wool coat with light blue trousers and a dark cap called a forage cap. They typically wore shoes that went up to their ankles called “brogans”.

Were Civil War uniforms comfortable?

General officers wore more formal double breasted coats Union uniforms were mostly made from wool, which provided relief from cold weather but was not very comfortable during summers, especially when there was no breeze.

Who wore red pants in the Civil War?

The Red Legs were a somewhat secretive organization of about 50 to 100 ardent abolitionists who were hand selected for harsh duties along the border.

Did Civil War soldiers have tattoos?



In addition to identification and patriotism, tattooing during the Civil War was used to memorialize the experience of war and the lives of fellow soldiers.

What were the red coats called?

The Redcoats was the name given to the British soldiers in the American Revolutionary War. The American soldiers were named Patriots.

Did Civil War soldiers have shoes?

This type of leather brogans was issued to Union soldiers during the Civil War; although most shoes were issued in “rights” and “lefts,” some were straight last (no right or left), and with daily wear the shoes formed to the feet.

What were the colors of the Civil War soldiers?

Civil War Uniforms

  • The two sides are often referred to by the color of their official uniforms, blue for the Union, gray for the Confederates.
  • Primarily, however, regular U.S. Army troops wore their traditional dark blue trousers, jackets and kepi caps.

What color was blue in the Civil War?



navy blue

You’ve probably heard of the blue and the grey when people refer to the civil war sides. The Northern Union armies wore navy blue and the Southern Confederate armies wore grey.

Who wore green uniforms in the Civil War?

the U.S. Sharpshooters

The 7th New York State Militia wore gray uniforms with black trim, and the 1st and 2nd Regiments of the U.S. Sharpshooters, referred to as Berdan’s Sharpshooters, wore green uniforms. Confederate soldiers frequently wore blue trousers with their grey or brown coats.

What color was Robert E Lee’s uniform?

The blue grey color (called Cadet Grey) can appear different shades depending upon the light conditions available at the time the photograph was taken. Plus different dye lots can vary slightly. All but Lee’s Maryland uniform are Cadet Grey Wool.

What were Robert E. Lee’s dying words?



The morning of October 12, he developed a “feeble, rapid pulse” and “shallow breathing.” Lee’s reported last words were, “Tell Hill he must come up!” “Strike the tent!” Yet, his daughter at the bedside recalled only “struggling” with “long, hard breathes,” and “in a moment he was dead.” CONCLUSIONS: Lee suffered

Was General Lee Black?

*Robert E. Lee was born on this date in 1807. He was a white-American soldier known for commanding the Confederate Army of Northern Virginia in the American Civil War from 1862 until his surrender in 1865.