Civil War Uniforms and Accoutrements

by Alan C. Aimone

The best single study about Civil War uniforms and equipment is by a founder of the Company of Military Historians and former West Point Museum Director, Fred Todd: American Military Equipage, 1851-1872. The illustrated three volume work is enhanced by the drawings and research of museum curators, artists and historians: Maria Todd, George Woodbridge, Lee Wallace, Jr. Michael McAfee and Fred Chapman. The volumes are arranged by topics and each individual state’s variation of issued uniforms, accoutrements and equipment is identified. Shorter surveys are available through Ron Field’s Uniforms of the Civil War and artist historian Don Troiani’s Regiments and Uniforms of the Civil War. This essay discusses the uniforms and accoutrements of the Civil War by focusing on publications, primary sources like museum collections and web resources for the various sub topics including general publications, buttons, image sources, Confederate accoutrements, Confederate uniforms, Union accoutrements, Union badges and insignia, Union uniforms, museums and more. Published with the essay is a 25-page Resources document which provides a wealth of sources of information on Civil War uniforms and equipment.

Uniforms of Union Volunteers

Drawing from Harper's Weekly August 31, 1861.

If you can read only one book:

Frederick P. Todd et al, American Military Equipage, 1851-1872, 3 vols. (Providence, RI/ Westbrook, CT: Company of Military Historians, 1974-1978).

Books:

  • The Bibliography for Uniforms and Accoutrements is 25 pages long, so has not been posted in detail on the topic page. This comprehensive listing of publications provides an invaluable resource to readers interested in this topic. Readers should download the PDF copy of the Resources document to see the Bibliography. Books and articles are grouped as follows: General Publications, Primary Sources, Buttons, Image Sources, Confederate Accoutrements, Confederate Uniforms, Union Accoutrements, Union Badges and Insignias, and Union Uniforms. 

Organizations:

  • American Society of Military Insignia Collectors (ASMIC)

    The ASMIC was founded in1937 and publishes a quarterly journal The Trading Post. 

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  • Association of American Military Uniform Collectors (AAMUC)

    The AAMUC was founded in 1977    by a group of collectors and publishes the quarterly newsletter, Footlocker

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  • Society of American Bayonet Collectors

    The Society of American Bayonet Collectors is dedicated to the study, collecting and preservation of antique and modern bayonets. 

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Web Resources:

  • Cowan’s Auctions offers many Civil War related auction items in catalog or online through their website.

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  • Illustrated directory of Civil War dealers & collectors.

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  • Gunshows-usa.com lists gun shows throughout the United States by date and location and is updated weekly.

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  • Historic Graphics offers services and materials relating to images and publications about American history. 

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  • Krause Books produces militaria price guides.

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Other Sources:

  • Museums are a primary source for Uniforms and Accoutrements.

  • A. H. Stephens State Historical Park & Confederate Museum

    456 Alexander Street NW Crawfordville GA 30631

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  • American Association of Museums

    The Official Museum Directory identifies small to large museums having Civil War collections.  Many county, municipal and regional museums across the United States have Civil War uniforms and articles in their collections.

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  • The American Civil War Museum (formerly The Museum of the Confederacy)

    The American Civil War Museum comprises three sites: The Museum and White House of the Confederacy as well as Historic Tredegar, both in Richmond, and The Museum of the Confederacy-Appomattox in Appomattox, Virginia

    1201 East Clay Street Richmond VA 23219

    500 Tredegar Street Richmond VA 23219

    159 Horseshoe Road Appomattox VA 24522

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  • The Citadel Archives and Museum

    171 Moultrie Street Charleston SC 29409

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  • Civil War Library & Museum of Philadelphia

    1805 Pine Street Philadelphia PA 19103

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  • Confederate Memorial Hall Museum

    929 Camp St., New Orleans LA 70130

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  • Texas Heritage Museum (formerly the Confederate Research Center)

    112 Lamar Drive Hillsboro TX 76645

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  • Joshua L. Chamberlain Civil War Museum

    226 Maine Street Brunswick ME 04011

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  • Grand Army of the Republic Civil War Museum and Library

    4278 Griscom Street Philadelphia PA 19124-3954

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  • National Civil War Naval Museum

    1002 Victory Drive Columbus GA 31901

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  • National Infantry Museum and Soldier Center (Fort Benning)

    1775 Legacy Way Columbus GA 31903

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  • National Civil War Museum

    1 Lincoln Circle Harrisburg PA 17103

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  • National Museum of American History (Smithsonian)

    at Constitution Avenue Northwest between 12th and 14th Streets Washington, D.C.

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  • Pamplin Historical Park

    6125 Boydton Plank Road Petersburg VA 23803

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  • Rock Island Arsenal Museum

    1 Rock Island Arsenal Building 60 – 3500 North Avenue Rock Island IL 61299-5000

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  • U.S. Army Military History Institute of the U.S. Army Heritage and Education Center

    Pennsylvania State University 329F 1ST Building University Park, PA 16802

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  • U.S. Army Ordnance Museum

    U.S. Army Ordnance Center and School, Aberdeen Proving Ground, MD 21005

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  • U.S. Army Quartermaster Museum

    1201 22nd Street Fort Lee VA 23801

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  • National Museum of the U.S. Navy

    9th and M Streets SE Building 76 Washington D.C. 20374

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  • U.S. National and State Military Parks

    Most National Military Parks have visitors’ centers where uniforms and accoutrements are displayed. Major museums are located at Andersonville, Chickamauga, Chattanooga, Antietam, Gettysburg, Shiloh, Fredericksburg & Spotsylvania, Harpers Ferry and Vicksburg (USS Cairo).

  • VMI Museum at the Virginia Military Institute

    415 Letcher Avenue Lexington VA 24450

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  • West Point Museum at the United States Military Academy

    681 Hardee Place West Point NY 10996

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  • Wisconsin Veterans Museum Research Center

    30 West Mifflin Street Madison WI 53703

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  • Other miscellaneous resources are listed below.

  • Artilleryman Magazine

    Artilleryman Magazine has a 35-year index of articles about artillery from the Revolutionary War to World War II including extensive material on Civil War artillery.

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  • Civil War Navy, The Magazine

    Civil War Navy, The Magazine has been published since 2004. 

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  • Frank Leslie’s Illustrated Weekly

    Frank Leslie’s Illustrated Weekly, 1861-1865 contains contemporary images of uniforms and accoutrements. Issues can be viewed on-line. 

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  • Harper’s Weekly

    Harper’s Weekly, 1861-1865 1865 contains contemporary images of uniforms and accoutrements. Issues can be viewed on-line. 

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  • North South Trader’s Magazine

    North South Trader’s Magazine has published articles since 1973 covering many aspects of Civil War uniforms and accoutrements. Their website lists all their publications.

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  • Military Collector & Historian

    Military Collector and Historian is the journal of The Company of Military Historians and has published numerous articles covering many aspects of Civil War uniforms and accoutrements. Their website lists all their publications.

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  • Military Images

    Military Images is a magazine documenting the photographic history of the U.S. soldier and sailor. Their website lists all their publications.

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Scholars: