Uniforms of the Union army

As a result, almost any variation of the official uniform could be found as officers and men abandoned some items, adopted others and modified still others.

Officers, NCOs and cavalry troopers were equipped with a sword belt with a rectangular buckle with eagle motif.

[11] The color of the shoulder strap fields[12] – with trims in gold braid – were as follows: Contemporary photographs and a Winslow Homer painting, Playing Old Soldier,[16] show staff officers occasionally added their departmental initials within the shoulder straps between the rank insignia.

[17] With the exception of slight changes to the representing insignia for the more junior commissioned grades as well as additional color combinations for new career fields, the shoulder strap insignia and color scheme survives largely unchanged in the modern era on the Army Service Uniform.

They were colored according to service branch: Brass shoulder scales were worn on dress uniforms, with different features to signify enlisted ranks.

The idea is attributed to General Philip Kearny who ordered his men to sew a two-inch square of red cloth on their hats to avoid confusion on the battlefield.

This idea was adopted by General Joseph Hooker after he assumed command of the Army of the Potomac, so any soldier could be identified at a distance, and to increase troop morale and unit pride – the badges became immensely popular with the troops, who put them anywhere they could, and the badges accomplished the objectives they had been created for, and the idea soon spread to other corps and departments.

Division badges were colored as follows: The uniform itself was influenced by many things, both officers' and soldiers' coats being originally civilian designs.

These were uncomfortable, especially in hot weather, and were thrown away by the men at the first opportunity to be replaced with cotton neckerchiefs, bandanas or (in the case of officers) neckties or cravats.

The late-war sack coat was copied from the fatigue jacket worn by the 19th century Prussian Army.

A plate showing the uniform of a U.S. Army first sergeant , circa 1858, influenced by the French army
Rifle green sharpshooter's uniform, with McDowell pattern forage cap.
10th Veteran Reserve Corps bandsmen in sky blue jackets April 1865.
Historical re-enactor wearing the shako and gray tailcoat of a West Point cadet. The soldier in the background wears the M1839 peaked cap issued to enlisted US troops before 1858.
1866 picture of Model showing correct uniform of a Company "A" 1st US Cavalry Sgt wearing Hardee hat
General Butler wearing uniform with sardine box shoulder bars and gold embroidery on the cuffs.
A Union officer sporting the "Jeff Davis" hat adopted in 1858 with eagle motifs
Color plate from the War of the Rebellion Atlas depicting the eagle motif on Union rank insignia.