Williamsburg At Night

 

  On the way down to Florida, to escape the cold and winter of the North East.  At least for a short while.   Janine is driving and I am navigating.  We are not stopping for too much sight seeing along the way as we just want to get there.

  But we did a quick nights stop at Colonial Williamsburg in Virginia.  It was night time but that made it a unique and enjoyable time to wander up and down the main street.  

 Some of the houses and buildings were lighted up. We also caught part of some evening programs. It was great fun.

US Army Uniforms 1813

 

  American Army uniforms of the War of 1812 is a very complex subject.   Uniforms changed considerably throughout the war.  The uniforms worn early in the war were very different then those worn at the end of the war.  More importantly units didn't always receive new items immediately when they became available. Mid War uniforms are a case in point.

 Throughout the 1813 campaign season the American regular infantry wore a hybrid uniform. On paper, the US Army had an entirely new uniform in 1813. This was a plain coatee without the lace adorning earlier versions of the garment, and a ,new leather shako. But as any student of military history can tell you, the dictates from on high do not always translate into changes in the field; at least not right away;  sometimes if ever.  The American army throughout the 1813 campaign season (a third of the war), wore a hybrid of the 1812 and 1814 uniform.

  On paper the United States Army  had an entirely new uniform.  This was to be a plain coatee without the lace the earlier coatee had  plus a new leather shako.

  The leather shako was delivered very quickly to the front lines, and most units had them in hand for the 1813 campaign season.

  The regimental coats were another story. The old laced 1812 coatee continued to be worn by a substantial number of units, and because of shortages of blue dye, it was delivered to units in various shades of grey, "drab", brown, and black. According to Rene Chartrand, the Army specified that, "the mixed color coatees and garments were to be cut as prescribed in the February 1812 regulations, with red collars and cuffs, and white lace binding."

  The units wearing this old coat/new cap configuration, were as follows (coat color follows listing):

12th US: Drab, red facings

14th: Brown for some, Drab faced with Red for others.

21st: Blue, red facings

16th: Black, red  facings

  And here is yet another exception to the rule. The War of 1812 is filled with them.   The 25th US Infantry had the old felt shako and a blue coat faced with red (and with minimal lace). 

  So, if you are interested in adding something different or unusual to your collection looking into these different coatee colors.

For more information:

Chartrand, Rene. A Most Warlike Appearance: Uniforms, Flags and Equipment of the United States in the War of 1812. Ottawa: Service Publications, 2010

Battle of Princeton 3 January 1777

 

For my re fight of this battle please see:

https://bravefusiliers.blogspot.com/2021/01/it-is-fine-fox-chase-my-boys.html

Happy New Year 2023

 

  Wishing you all a most happy and healthy 2023.  Here is to hoping this is a better year then the last.  

Battle of Quebec 1775

 

  Tonight marks the incredibly brave but foolish assault to capture Quebec by the American forces under Montgomery and Arnold.   Going into the attack under cover of a heavy snow storm.  

  At one point American rifle men under Daniel Morgan were using ladder to climb down from buildings to get into the city.  An amazing story.  I have always felt bad that the troops from New England had their terms of enlistment expire the next day, but still went in.  As I said an amazing story!