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.
Frederick P. Todd et al, American Military Equipage, 1851-1872, 3 vols. (Providence, RI/ Westbrook, CT: Company of Military Historians, 1974-1978).
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.
American Society of Military Insignia Collectors (ASMIC)
The ASMIC was founded in1937 and publishes a quarterly journal The Trading Post.
Association of American Military Uniform Collectors (AAMUC)
The AAMUC was founded in 1977 by a group of collectors and publishes the quarterly newsletter, Footlocker.
Society of American Bayonet Collectors
The Society of American Bayonet Collectors is dedicated to the study, collecting and preservation of antique and modern bayonets.
Cowan’s Auctions offers many Civil War related auction items in catalog or online through their website.
Illustrated directory of Civil War dealers & collectors.
Gunshows-usa.com lists gun shows throughout the United States by date and location and is updated weekly.
Historic Graphics offers services and materials relating to images and publications about American history.
Krause Books produces militaria price guides.
Museums are a primary source for Uniforms and Accoutrements.
A. H. Stephens State Historical Park & Confederate Museum
456 Alexander Street NW Crawfordville GA 30631
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.
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
The Citadel Archives and Museum
171 Moultrie Street Charleston SC 29409
Civil War Library & Museum of Philadelphia
1805 Pine Street Philadelphia PA 19103
Confederate Memorial Hall Museum
929 Camp St., New Orleans LA 70130
Texas Heritage Museum (formerly the Confederate Research Center)
112 Lamar Drive Hillsboro TX 76645
Joshua L. Chamberlain Civil War Museum
226 Maine Street Brunswick ME 04011
Grand Army of the Republic Civil War Museum and Library
4278 Griscom Street Philadelphia PA 19124-3954
National Civil War Naval Museum
1002 Victory Drive Columbus GA 31901
National Infantry Museum and Soldier Center (Fort Benning)
1775 Legacy Way Columbus GA 31903
National Civil War Museum
1 Lincoln Circle Harrisburg PA 17103
National Museum of American History (Smithsonian)
at Constitution Avenue Northwest between 12th and 14th Streets Washington, D.C.
Pamplin Historical Park
6125 Boydton Plank Road Petersburg VA 23803
Rock Island Arsenal Museum
1 Rock Island Arsenal Building 60 – 3500 North Avenue Rock Island IL 61299-5000
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
U.S. Army Ordnance Museum
U.S. Army Ordnance Center and School, Aberdeen Proving Ground, MD 21005
U.S. Army Quartermaster Museum
1201 22nd Street Fort Lee VA 23801
National Museum of the U.S. Navy
9th and M Streets SE Building 76 Washington D.C. 20374
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
West Point Museum at the United States Military Academy
681 Hardee Place West Point NY 10996
Wisconsin Veterans Museum Research Center
30 West Mifflin Street Madison WI 53703
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.
Civil War Navy, The Magazine
Civil War Navy, The Magazine has been published since 2004.
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.
Harper’s Weekly
Harper’s Weekly, 1861-1865 1865 contains contemporary images of uniforms and accoutrements. Issues can be viewed on-line.
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.
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.
Military Images
Military Images is a magazine documenting the photographic history of the U.S. soldier and sailor. Their website lists all their publications.