Confederate Blues

In the opening days of the American Civil War, a multitude of different uniforms could be seen on both sides.  These uniforms were of many colors and shades, as well as styles. 

The main construct of both armies, North and South, was the Regiment.  A regiment consisted of around ten "companies", labeled A-K, excluding the letter "J".  Each company had roughly one-hundred men, so theoretically, a regiment could field a thousand soldiers, but in reality those numbers were never reached.  In many cases these companies within the regiment consisted of local “militia companies” which already existed under the militia system.  Men, young and old were required to join the militia, drill, and be ready to fight should the government decide to mobilize and incorporate these militia units into the Army in time of war. 

The regiment would contain all or a portion of individual militia units from a particular area, collected from the towns and counties in which they derived.  This also included recruitment, so even if you were not from the area, you could sign up and join, so a regiment could include some companies that existed as pre-war militia companies, some companies that were recruited and raised exclusively for the regiment, or a combination of both. 

The 33rd Virginia Infantry, which fought at the Battle of Bull Run/Manassas in July of 1861, had ten companies from six different neighboring counties, Hampshire, Shenandoah, Frederick, Hardy, Page, and Rockingham.  At the time of this first battle of the Civil War they had not even received a regimental number, being simply known as Cumming's Regiment for its commanding officer Colonel Arthur Cummings.  Two of its companies were left behind, D and I, on "guard duty", whilst the remainder of the regiment marched on into the battle with eight companies totaling around 400 men.  Cumming’s/33rd Regiment was credited with capturing the Union artillery on Henry House Hill.  While they could not hold the position and were repulsed, this action halted the overall Union advance for the day, and contributed to Confederate victory.  They were a part of the Virginia brigade, commanded by General Thomas Jackson, who earned the moniker "Stonewall" as he and his men stood firm against Union forces in this battle, prompting another Confederate general, Barnard Bee to muse, "there stands Jackson like a stone wall". 

So what made the 33rd/Cumming's Regiment so successful in overrunning the Union artillery?

They were wearing blue uniforms.  The blue and the grey, denoting the Union and the Confederacy is highly inaccurate.  Many Confederate units wore blue, and many Union units wore grey.  Generally, before the war, the U.S. Army regulars wore dark blue coats, and the militia, theoretically, were clad in grey coats of varying styles.  This is why early war photographs like these of the 7th New York, a Union militia regiment, are wearing grey.  The soldiers in these original Civil War photographs could very well pass as Confederate soldiers from the South.

7th New York Militia privates, 1861

During the first battles of the Civil War, soldiers on both sides frequently fought in their pre-war militia uniforms.  It did not last long, but while it did, it is completely reasonable that the Union artillery on Henry House Hill mistook Cumming's regiment, soon to be the Confederate 33rd Virginia Regiment of Infantry, for Yankees…at least until it was too late.

Most of Cumming's Regiment/33rd Virginia were sporting dark blue frock coats, dark blue trousers and, possibly, what is known as the U.S. Army’s Model 1858 Dress Hat or “Hardee” hat...in other words, they looked just like regular U.S. infantry in full dress uniform.  There were minor differences, such as different button and equipment, but that would not be noticed in the heat of battle.

Model 1858 Dress Hat...also known as the "Hardee hat"

U.S. Army Private - in full dress uniform

This example of officer of the Virginia militia for the Civil War period is very likely indicative of what the 33rd Regiment of Infantry wore at the Battle of Bull Run/Manassas.  

There is some question in regards to the style hats worn by the 33rd Virginia.  They’ve been depicted wearing Hardee hats, but they might also have worn a dark blue "wheel hat", U.S. Army Model 1839 pattern copied and worn extensively by American militia units throughout the period and worn by the U.S. Army well into the 1850s so it’s possible.  There is also a photograph of Colonel Cummings, the regiment's commanding officer, depicted in the dark blue officer's frock coat with dark blue trousers, wearing the U.S. Model 1858 fatigue cap and used extensively by Federal and Confederate troops throughout the Civil War and beyond.

U.S. Army Model 1839 "Wheel Hat"

U.S. Army Model 1858 "Fatigue Cap"

Colonel Arthur Cummings in his dark blue uniform...He looks just like a U.S. Army officer

The last question would be where they got the uniforms?  Did they capture or "liberate" existing U.S. Army supplies?  Possibly.  There is some scant documentation that might suggest this.  I would more inclined to believe that the dark blue frock coats and trousers were locally made.  Manufacture of uniforms in the South leading up to and after the declaration of War was proceeding at a break-neck pace.  Garments for the troops were being made quickly to keep pace with the thousands of men marching off to fight. 

From the Vindicator, a newspaper in Staunton, Virginia, April 26th, 1861:

“The ladies of Staunton, and especially the pupils of the different Female Institutes here, have entwined their brows with glorywreaths of evergreen, which beautifully reflect the fresh and buoyant courage of their hearts. For days they have been busily engaged in making the uniforms of the new volunteer companies, scarcely permitting twenty-four hours to pass after the order had been placed in their hands, ere the full uniform, neatly made, was presented to the young soldier. What a touching evidence of the affection of these fair daughters of Virginia and the South for the sunny clime of their nativity. The sweet heart caparison her lover, and with a smile and a tear bids him go and dare and do, and then return for his reward in the gift of the hand that fashioned the badge of his calling God bless the sweet girls, and God speed and protect the brave boys.”

It is very likely that the dark blue uniforms worn by the 33rd into the first major clash of arms between the Confederacy and The Union were made in Virginia.  Contrary to popular myth, the uniforms that stopped the Union advance in the Battle of Bull Run were not grey.  The grand and fancy uniforms of the War’s first months would disappear as the conflict progressed, and it goes to show that everything is not how it seems, looks can be deceiving, with blue and grey represented on both sides, North and South.