Fireman, USA, 1850's

[Becky Morgan]

Re: Fireman, USA, 1850's

IIRC, most of Charleston's fire equipment was damaged, used up or destroyed either in the war or in the great earthquake in 1886. New York City firefighters were sympathetic and sent at least one engine to help restart the city's department. In 2001, FDNY was surprised, but pleased, to receive an engine from Charleston to help replace their own destroyed equipment. I haven't been able to locate the AP article and am scrounging Firehouse Magazine for its cite.

In the process, I ran into this. Did any of you know about "Old Mose"?

http://www.americanheritage.com/articles/magazine/ah/2005/6/2005_6_36.shtml

[Mgreer]

Re: Fireman, USA, 1850's

[Shantyman]

Re: Fireman, USA, 1850's

After six moths I figured I'd rekindle this old flame.

Any new info on equipment and uniforms as well as who has interest in reproducing them?

Any new info on a possible static event site or any communications w/ Harpers Ferry?

I took a look at some original leather hose and instead of rivets it was "triple line?" stitched.

I live in Roanoke now and will try to make an appointment to go and snoop around the antiques at Old Station 1

I am also working on tracking down an original J-key and some other odds and ends.

[PetePaolillo]

Re: Fireman, USA, 1850's

Here is a company I found that makes reproductions of helmets, buckets and trumpets. I work with a couple guys who have bought the lids and they are very nice.

http://www.handtubs.com/GSpage4.htm

Here are some pics from The Chicago Fire Museum, i took from a visit in 05..They even have some of the old log books from the call runs there.

[Shantyman]

Re: Fireman, USA, 1850's

Something interesting.

Some of the firemen (11th NY at least) wore their FD badges in the field.

Thanks to Mr. Hermann of the Liberty Rifles who led me to the information

http://www.greenwooddiscovery.org/userfiles/pinckney(1).jpg

http://images.google.com/imgres?imgurl=http://www.greenwooddiscovery.org/userfiles/pinckney(1).jpg&imgrefurl=http://www.greenwooddiscovery.org/content/firemans-badge-lost-during-civil-war&usg=__pN5m-U0SXKgk3fIkOBCrQpSj-7Y=&h=609&w=1048&sz=174&hl=en&start=7&um=1&tbnid=KyWuOR7kxbhfQM:&tbnh=87&tbnw=150&prev=/images%3Fq%3Dcivil%2Bwar%2Bfiremen%26hl%3Den%26safe%3Doff%26sa%3DN%26um%3D1

[McKim]

Re: Fireman, USA, 1850's

Here is a picture taken in 1863 at Alexandria, Va. The title, "New Firehouse and equipment for the protection of Army Depot". That would the Union Army of course.

[PetePaolillo]

Re: Fireman, USA, 1850's

Something interesting.

Some of the firemen (11th NY at least) wore their FD badges in the field.

Thanks to Mr. Hermann of the Liberty Rifles who led me to the information

http://www.greenwooddiscovery.org/userfiles/pinckney(1).jpg

http://images.google.com/imgres?imgu...a%3DN%26um%3D1

Steven,

That photo was taken at Castle Pinckney in the Charleston Harbor after these members were captured following the Battle of Bull Run in July of 1861. You can make out what some might speculate are their badges as you have shared.

"One hundred and fifty-four Union Army prisoners of war (120 enlisted, 34 officers) captured during the First Battle of Manassas and previously incarcerated at Ligon's Prison arrived at Charleston on September 10, 1861 and were kept at the Charleston City Jail until the lower casements of Castle Pinckney were converted into cells. According to the Charleston Mercury, Richmond officials had selected "..chiefly from among those who have evidenced the most insolent and insubordinate disposition". On September 18, prisoners from the 11th NY Fire Zouaves, 69th NY ("Irish") Regiment, 79th NY Regiment, and 8th Michigan Infantry were transferred to Castle Pinckney. They were allowed to wander during the day and were confined to cells only at night. The Castle quickly proved to be too small and inadequate however for permanent confinement and the prisoners were transferred back to the Charleston City Jail on October 31, 1861 after only six weeks."

source: Lonnie R. Speer (2006). Portals to Hell: Military Prisons of the Civil War


Here are their regimental colors.



"'Tis thus the New-York Firemen,
When in their Country's cause,
Unite in common Brotherhood
For to sustain her laws.
And crush the Serpent-Treason
By killing every knave
Who would insult the Stars and Stripes,
Wherever they may wave."

[PetePaolillo]

Re: Fireman, USA, 1850's

Here is a picture taken in 1863 at Alexandria, Va. The title, "New Firehouse and equipment for the protection of Army Depot". That would the Union Army of course.

U.S. STEAM FIRE HOUSE
South Side of Princess Street, between Lee & Fairfax Street.

Established and operated by U.S. Army Quartermaster Department during U.S. Government occupation. Virtually all equipment owned by the other Fire Companies in the city was destroyed or badly damaged by the occupation forces.

http://alexandriava.gov/fire/info/default.aspx?id=220

[Shantyman]

Re: Fireman, USA, 1850's

Gold Pete, solid gold. Thanks.

[PetePaolillo]

Re: Fireman, USA, 1850's

Something interesting.

Some of the firemen (11th NY at least) wore their FD badges in the field.

Thanks to Mr. Hermann of the Liberty Rifles who led me to the information

Steven, Below is the breakdown of some of the Firemen in the pic and what they are wearing and were presumably wearing at Bull Run. This may interest you. Marc Hermann has probably already shared this info with you since it is his website....Thought I would post it here for others...Marc, If you are reading...Great work. Thanks for making it available to us.
Sourced websites are listed below the post.




1. He seems to have retained the regiment's first issue trousers, and is either still wearing the leggings or boots. Clearly visible is the regiment's dark blue sash. He wears two shirts, a light-colored overshirt and a dark-colored undershirt, the cuffs of which are visible. A dark neckerchief and fez complete his ensemble.

2. Most notable about this man is his dark neckerchief worn over what may be a Federal issue shirt. Dark blue trousers and a fez are also worn.
3. Also wearing what might be a Federal-issue shirt over a darker colored undershirt. What looks to be a fireman's badge is seen on the right breast.
4. This fellow is wearing a dark overshirt along with dark blue trousers.
5. He's clad in a fez, white shirt, and dark blue trousers.
6. This soldier wears a dark overshirt with what looks to be a N.Y.F.D. engine company badge, dark blue trousers, and a kepi that seems like part of their first-issue uniform.
7. Most notable about this soldier is his civilian slouch hat.
8. In a dark shirt with a fire badge and dark blue trousers, this soldier has topped everything off with a regulation forage cap.
9. Prominently seen at the center placket of this man's shirt is a N.Y.F.D. engine company badge. He also wears a civilian style "mechanic's cap."
10. Careful examination of his shirt shows that it is of a plaid/check pattern, either wool or cotton. It seems to have a watch chain leading to a front breast pocket. Also note dark-colored fez, and what may be first-issue gray trousers



In this, an alternate view taken of some other prisoners, we see the same trneds of mixed uniform pieces. As you can see, other than dark blue trousers, there was very little "uniformity" to the Fire Zouaves' field uniform.

http://www.myrtle-avenue.com/firezou/

http://www.myrtle-avenue.com/firezou/impression.html

http://www.myrtle-avenue.com/

http://www.myrtle-avenue.com/collection.htm

[Drygoods]

Re: Fireman, USA, 1850's

I just thought to share this fireman's image. It's nice.

http://www.antiquephotoalbum.nl/albumgalleries/displayimage.php?album=1&pos=35

[ScottCross]

Re: Fireman, USA, 1850's

I just thought to share this fireman's image. It's nice.
http://www.antiquephotoalbum.nl/albu...album=1&pos=35

Wow! Now there's a fireman's jacket and cap!

[ltdan25th]

Re: Fireman, USA, 1850's

thats a very cool pic..I just saw one over the past two weekends at a Symposium of a Fireman and a pump rig..pretty neat

Matt Burbank

[Lt1stNCSS]

Re: Fireman, USA, 1850's

these are some great pics, being a fireman myself i keenly enjoyed thses...the very first pic, he has a foreman shiled on, so he was a line officer...typically today foremen take on various roles
handling and fixing equipment, engineers usually run the trucks and the pumps, formen take care of the rest of the gear and help run the fire scene, then the Lt's, Captains and Chiefs...this however varies from one department to another slightly and could have been completely different during the war

[jhmanahan]

Re: Fireman, USA, 1850's

Here's the pic of the three Fireman from the Charleston, SC Fire Department. Sorry, I do not have their names, I'm still researching more info. The image is circa 1859.

And here's the image with its original hand-tinting: