The Union Cavalry Uniform

A soldier of the 1st D.C. Cavalry poses for a picture

Library of Congress, Prints and Photographs Division

Before studying about Civil War uniforms, you must know that there is a different color code for cavalry, artillery, and infantry. This color code was used in both North and South. I have listed the colors below:
Infantry--- BLUE
Cavalry--- YELLOW
Artillery--- RED

Jacket

Union Cavalrymen wore dark blue shell jackets with gold and white piping. However, by 1862, because they were too bright and made good targets for the enemy, they began to give up their shell jackets, and adopted the fatigue jacket.
The fatigue jacket or the "sack coat", as it was often called, was a not very fancy. It was made of a cheap wool material and had only four buttons down the front. Both private and government factories made thousands of them during the Civil War. They were inexpensive and easy to make.

Pants

Union cavalry wore pants that were especially made for mounted troops. They were reinforced under the legs and fitted closer around the legs than the baggier infantry pants. They were sky blue. Non-commissioned officers sometimes added yellow stripes to the sides, but many times they were avoided because of their bright color.

Hats

Forage caps, which were of French origan, were the most common style of hat in the entire Union army. They were dark blue in color and could be buckled under the chin. Slouch hats were also popular in the western armies.

Boots and Spurs

Cavalry boots were in a variety of shapes and sizes in the Civil War. Cavalry were issued brogans, short black boots. Many cavalrymen bought their own boots. Some went knee high, and others were short. They were usually black. Brass spurs were worn with the boots.
The narrow, pointed toe, usually seen in cowboy boots, were never in Civil War boots. Narrow-toed cowboy boots were invented after the Civil War.

Gauntlets

Cavalrymen wore large yellow or white leather gloves, or "gauntlets", as they were often called.

Back to the Main Page