The Blue and the Gray
The Civil War was, of course, a conflict between the Blue and the Gray. Actually, the color of the Confederate uniform was butternut, a light brown color. The Union at the start of the war had myriad colors and styles, including Zouaves, cadet gray, and a mix of light and dark blue.
After First Manassas, it became clear to both sides that identifying friend vs. foe was going to be crucial. A universal uniform recognizable at first glance became needed. Some distinction as to branch of service was preferable, but the color of the clothes had to be immediately distinguishable. Why did the Union ultimately choose dark blue and the South light gray?
Confederate Uniforms
At the start of the war, Confederate soldiers wore clothes from home and homespun. When cloth became scarce, the principal source of Confederate uniforms was captured Union uniforms.
The dark blue uniforms were boiled in a solution with walnut hulls, acorns, and lye. The resulting color was light tan, which the southerners called “butternut.” Weathered and faded gray uniforms also took on a light brownish appearance.
Gray was chosen for Confederate uniforms because gray dye could be made relatively cheaply.
Also, the standard uniform color of state militias was a shade of cadet gray, which is not suitable for combat wear, as it gives away the position of the individual easily from its bright blue-gray tones. Generals needn’t worry about this, so they wore beautiful gray uniforms that they purchased on their own.
Although it is often believed that gray uniforms became less prevalent in the Confederate army as the war went on, the opposite is true. In 1863, the Confederacy began purchasing pre-made uniforms from manufacturers in England and Ireland. Peter Tait & Company of Ireland was one of the main uniform makers whose products continued to make their way through the Union blockade.
Union Uniforms
American infantry had worn dark blue coats since the Revolutionary War, to separate them from the Redcoats. In the Mexican War, pale blue pants supplemented the coats. With mass production necessary for the Civil War, everything became dark blue. The blue dye was called Barlows indigo blue and before the mass production of cheap chemical dyes was perfected in Prussia in the late 19th century, natural indigo, was more expensive than gray dyes.
Ironically, most indigo production was in the south; this caused the union to briefly resort to logwood dyes that immediately changed to brown reacting to sunlight. This is a lot of preserved uniforms have brown thread, as they continued to use logwood for dying thread as well other cheaper materials.
These dyes were too difficult to make in the South in large quantities, given limitations in resources. Instead, darker blue-gray became Confederate gray due to its availability through the blockade.
Commanding General Grant at the Battle of Cold Harbor, June 1864
When the war began, volunteer militias created unique uniforms to make themselves appear stylish.
Moreover, some northern militias developed very fancy red coats and pants to simulate the famous Zouave fighters from North Africa. These elite fighters wore elaborate uniforms with tassels, and fought in a non-traditional manner. Consequently, many Zouave units adopted fighting styles akin to light infantry: open formations, prone firing and reloading, and movement at double time. But as the war continued, these units disappeared and became regular army units.
Other special units with distinctive uniforms included: Berdan’s sharpshooters wore green uniforms with matte buttons (to prevent glare); the 39th New York Infantry called the Garibaldi Guard wore puffy red shirts like Italian soldiers; and the New York 79th called the Highland Guard wore plaid clothes and cap to simulate Scottish Highlanders.
Written by Dr. Lloyd Klein
Civil War Historian Dr. Lloyd W Klein
Civil War Historian Dr. Lloyd W Klein Dr. Lloyd W. Klein is Clinical Professor of Medicine in the Cardiology Division of the University of California, San Francisco. In addition, Dr. Klein is an accomplished consultant, author, lecturer and investigator. In addition, with over thirty-five years’ experience and expertise in managing myocardial infarction and tailoring coronary revascularization strategies.
Moreover, Dr. Klein is a nationally recognized expert in individualizing coronary revascularization strategies. He has published extensively on analyzing operator quality and decision making.
Dr. Klein is also an amateur historian who has read extensively on the Civil War with a particular interest in political and military leadership and their economic ramifications. Furthermore, Dr. Klein has published numerous articles on the Civil War. Moreover, with a special concentration in why decisions were made and the people who made them. Lastly, using his professional experience in appraising leadership, he is especially insightful in evaluating the internal and external motivations which influenced decisions in battle and in the political hall.
Please see Dr. Klein’s Works:
Why Did the North Win the Civil War (and, Alternatively, Why Did the South Lose?)
The Atlanta Campaign : The Conundrum of General Joseph E Johnston
The “Lost Order” Of General Lee
What caused the South to start the Civil War?
Was the Reconstruction of the Civil War successful?
