How common were braids on Union uniforms?

[GAR]

Hello Gents,
I've come across a number of photographs of Federal officers with sleeve trefoils and kepi braids and wondered just how common were they in the Union ranks? Was it accepted as a normal decoration "upgrade", or was it considered an affectation? It seems to me that in situations of poor visibility, it could cause soldiers to mistake the uniform as confederate, particularly with the contrasting yellow-gold braid of cavalry. Does anyone know of this happening? Would it had been more common in a particular theater or year?

Thanks,

G

[GAR]

I know later in the war there was orders issued to allow an officer to dress more like the enlisted, so as not to stand out as a target. I would imagine at the start, many officers would peacock their appearance to show off their rank. Do you think sleeve and cap braids were a part of this? Still wondering.

G

[Curt Schmidt]

Hallo!

A broad area...

In brief and to over generalize...

It was non-regulation. There are several factors at work. One, since officers purchased their own uniforms it could be a matter of personal taste and likes and dislikes based on what a man envisioned and what he was willing to pay for it. Second, it might depend upon how strict a commanding officer was or wasn't in what he would "allow" or even allow beyond the regulation dress. Third, it might depend upon the unit and peer pressure of certain choices from one's unit- I am reminded of a recent image of IIRC Federal artillery officers where the were regulation and all of the men wearing "kepi's."

And IMHO, it can also be a more senior officer deal too. Meaning, a general like George Custer might have designed or at least chosen his own particular something, another general may have worn a private purchase five button version of a common fatique blouse. While a 2nd Lt may have been stuck within the latitude of his colonel and the amount of a LT's payday.

Others' mileage will vary...

Curt

[GAR]

Thank you, Curt. It's too bad the period photos of Union captains and lieutenants that had them aren't identified. It would help narrow down the "where and when" unknowns.

[GrumpyDave]

Stick to photos you know were taken in the field. Best bet. You'd dress your best for a studio pic, so did they!

[Mike Ventura]

What Dave said...

[Tom Craig]

Gary,
There are plenty of ID'd photos out there in terms of time frames. You can certainly find exceptions to just about any rule, but generally, company officers wore fairly plain uniforms, saving much of the fuss and feathers for the higher ranks. Your best bet, unless you are trying to portray a specific individual for whom you have details of his uniform is to keep things pretty plain in ornamentation, but focus instead on high quality fabrics and tailoring.

Take care,
Tom Craig
1st Maine Cavalry