1812 Marine Uniform
Marine Privates had a dark blue single-breasted coatee with
red collar, cuff and turnbacks on the short skirts. Buttons were brass,
and the lace was yellow, ending in a point and set in a "V". White cloth
pantaloons with black cloth gaiters "to the knee" were worn in the winter and
line overalls in the summer. The felt Shako (cap) had a brass plate, red plush
plume in the front, yellow cords, and tassels. A black stock completed the
uniform.
Sergeants wore a red feather plume on the left side (instead
of the front) of the their caps and had a brass-hilted straight sword but no
sash.
Drummers wore a "reversed" colors which gave them red coatees
with blue collar, cuff and turnbacks. An 1814 order for drums mentions
eagles painted on canvas with a "Scrowl over the head or from its beak with the
Motto, "United States Marines" above. The rest of the clothing was
probably the same as for the privates.
Summer dress as worn from the beginning of June until
October. This included white line pantaloons but apparently not a line
jacket at the time of the war.
|