18th Kansas Volunteer Cavalry Uniform??

[Dalton Masterson]

I am looking at putting a uniform together portraying someone from the 18th Kansas Volunteer Cavalry. They were involved in the Battle of Prairie Dog Creek, near my hometown in 1867. Parts of the 10th US Cav were also involved in the fight as well.

My question: Would the uniform have been standard Civil War issue uniforms? Or being a State unit of civilian volunteers, would they have had a different uniform? Or no uniform at all?

Did they have any other specific badges ie. a unit crest or the like?

The only uniform pic I can find is of Capt. A.J. Pliley, and the pic is undated. http://www.kansasguardmuseum.org/disphof.php?id=31

The unit was not even around for a year, and then the 19th Kansas was commissioned.

I am thinking a standard Civil War era Cav uniform with standard rank and insignia would work. Am I correct?
Thanks, DM

[St. George]

By that time, post-war militia units would've had Federal uniforms in abundance - and they'd've been well-supplied with Federal weaponry, as well.

Vaya,

Scouts Out

[Dalton Masterson]

Thank you St. George. That makes it much easier to source a uniform.

What would cap devices have been? An 18 on the hat with a yellow cord?
Were there State unit pins yet?

[Drydock]

In 1867 it would be a yellow trimmed shell jacket, sky blue trousers, yellow leg stripe depending on rank, and either a Hardee hat or Forage cap.  The Hardee would in the field would usualy be unornamented, on post you would have the right side pinned up with an eagle badge, an 18 on the front, and a yellow worsted wool hat cord.  The forage cap would have mounted on the top flat crossed sabres with the 18 below the cross, the company/troop letter above.  

Examlples of such uniforms can be seen at   www.quartermastershop.com

www.ssfirearms.com  has examples of the hat accoutrements if desired.

[Drydock]

Its hard to tell from the picture, your capt may be wearing a shell jacket, but most likely he's wearing a single breasted jr. officers frock coat.

Do you wish to do enlisted or officer?

The 4 button fatigue sack was often worn in the field by both officers and men, especialy out west, and is a lower cost alternative.

Hardee hat:   http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hardee_hat

[Dalton Masterson]

Well, I was thinking of portraying a Major, to work with my Bvt. Major position here in the GAF.

Would a slouch hat be appropriate for this? My wife was planning on getting me a slouch, but when I showed my wife a Hardee hat done up, she liked it, so that might be the ticket.

Thanks for the info Drydock. That is the look I was thinking of in this case.

Would I be wrong to assume that if I wanted to portray a Nebraska Cav unit, it would just be a number and troop letter change?

DM

[Pitspitr]

... either a Hardee hat or Forage cap.  The Hardee would in the field would usualy be unornamented, on post you would have the right side pinned up with an eagle badge, an 18 on the front, and a yellow worsted wool hat cord.  The forage cap would have mounted on the top flat crossed sabres with the 18 below the cross, the company/troop letter above. 

About that time here in the Department of the Platte (historical Department, not GAf Department) General Augur issued an order stating that the forage cap was to be worn in lieu of the Hardee hat even on dress occasions. The Hardee is prone to wind induced races across the parade ground.

[Drydock]

Yep.  Also, what we call the "Slouch" was often a Hardee with the accoutrements removed and the Crown shaped to the wearers liking.

Check out the Links page at the Grand Army of the Frontier site.  Particularly  Hatcrafters and C.D. Jarnigans.