"How To"
Create and Train Your Color Guard Unit

---

American   Headgear   in   the   Revolutionary   War

One of the more interesting aspects of history is the study of costumes.   One soon learns the ever changing styles of dress are evolutionary and slow to occur.

Today, we find ourselves still wearing the jabeau, although we now call it a neck tie.  The waistcoat, which is now called a vest, has been a common garment since the 16th century. For the laymen, dating clothing to within one hundred years is certainly difficult.  Not so with headgear.  The evolution of hats seemingly is much faster and far more radical.  There are some holdouts - the army's campaign hat, now worn by drill instructors dates back to the Spanish American War.  The shako of the U.S. Military Academy dates back to the War of 1812, as does the basic style of their dress uniform.

During the 18th Century, armies found it necessary to distinguish each regiment, different branches, i.e. infantry, cavalry, artillery, etc.  Different color combinations on the regimental coat was the most common.  But, differing headgear was a close second.  Some of the headgear was very elaborate, usually depending on how deep the regimental organizers pockets were.

When most of us picture a Revolutionary War soldier in our minds eye, we see the traditional tricorn hat, sometimes with trim around the edges, sometimes simply black.

During the American Revolution the tricorn hat was probably the most common.   The public envisions it as the only headgear used at the time, which was not the case.  Most regiments were comprised of eight companies in the tradition of the British Army.  Regiments with six Companies were known as Line or Battalion Companies.  They commonly wore the tricorn, also known as a cocked hat.  One Company was designated "Light infantry" and usually wore a leather helmet.  Some regiments also had a Grenadier Company, who also wore distinctive helmets.  The Cavalry units wore helmets of either leather or brass.  Of course there were many exceptions, which generally depended upon supply.

The tricorn came in several different styles.  The most common military version had a brim of five inches in the back and four inches in the front, turned up on three sides to form a triangle.  It was worn with the front corner directly over the left eye.  This was done to avoid a conflict with the musket.

In contrast, the tricorn worn by officers was more a "bicorn" and was worn almost straight across the front.

A second style of tricorn was not as popular, but nevertheless commonplace.   It had a brim of only two inches.  Naval Officers had their tricorns trimmed with gold lace.

By order of George Washington all members of the army wore a cockade on the left side.  It was to have a black background and a white relief in honor of the French Alliance.  Most units had their men's tricorns trimmed with white tape and many had white tassels.  The officers generally did not.   This made for easier recognition in the field.

The wearing of plumes or feathers was also commonplace.  By 1780 it was prescribed by Washington's regulations: Major Generals wore white plumes tipped in black; Brigadier Generals had white plumes; Aide-de-Camps received a green plume.  Many elite units also wore plumes.  The Commander-in-Chief's Guard wore a white plume tipped in blue.  The Continental Light Infantry companies wore black plumes tipped in red.

Helmets were decorated with a great variety of ornamentation.  Fur was the most popular.  The Cavalry was partial to leopard skin, with either a crest of horse hair or bear skin.  Plumes and cockades were also incorporated.  Some of the light infantry and artillery units wore leather helmets with high peak in front, which was painted in a most elaborate fashion.   The Rhode Island and Delaware Regimental helmets were particularly ornate.

Unfortunately, popular perceptions are more influential than historical fact.   Hence the plain, unadorned tricorn is what the public expects to see