Customer Reviews

AMERICAN CIVIL WAR: UNION ARMY (Brassey's History of Uniforms)

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This is another great book from Ron Smith,in this book uniforms are examined in terms of style, quality and color. What emerges is a fascinating glimpse on the government' "make do" efforts, ranging from the exotic to the hilarious. Federal troops often sported uniforms with strong European ties, including chasseur-style coats and the famous French Zouave outfit. The 39th New York Volunteers wore colorful uniforms copied from the Italian bersaglieri.

When President Abraham Lincoln called for 75,000 volunteers to fight the South in April 1861, he placed a heavy burden on an unprepared quartermaster department. Supplies of good-quality cheap cloth for uniforms were lacking. Some states were asked to provide their own uniforms for their recruits, and the quality and variety seemed limitless. Many early Union militia units adopted gray as their dress color, while the quality of material ranged from superior to poor. The North, faced numerous problems in providing uniforms for its troops. States issued jackets, shirts and trousers sewed by womens' volunteer aid societies. A shortage of material meant that a mixture of shades and hues was commonplace.

There are also chapters on the many colourful militia regiments raised to swell the Northern Army, including Zouaves, Chasseurs, Lancers, and Hussars in their own spectacular uniforms as well as the little known role of American Indian Cavalry units

The book contains 150 colour & b/w illustrations(more w/b that colour)if you would like to buy this book you can also consider Don Troiani's Soldiers in America 1754-1865 and Don Troiani's Civil War

A must have for any civil war enthusiast. A comprehensive source of information on the uniforms of the Northern forces.

Extremely well written and very well illustrated.

Thats the best Book about the american civil war, that I read. I recomend it.