Uniform of the United States Infantry
1812 - 1815

Companies from this unit were stationed at Fort Norfolk during the summer of 1813. On July 3, 1813 this unit, along with a number of local militia companies were ordered to reinforce Lambert's Point and Sewell's Point area of then Norfolk county. This was in response to the British burning and looting of Hampton, Virginia. Original order books from the period are located in the Virginia Historical Society's Library in Richmond, Virginia.

Summer Uniform

Jacket: This was a linen round jacket made without the tails or lace. Ten buttons were used to close the jacket at the front. Very plain and easy to produce by the contractors of the period. Starting in 1812 this coatee was issued to those troops south of the Potomac River.

All other items of this uniform would conform to the 1812 requirements found next.

Winter Uniform

1812 - 1813
Coatee: 1812 pattern, single breasted, body of coat is blue with red collar, cuffs and white turnbacks. White lacing on the front of coat, the collar and the cuffs. Buttons are of pewter with the script infantry I, 36 3/4" and 2 1/2", 38 in all.

Trousers: White with a narrow fall, made of linen.

Vest: White in color, single breasted, made of wool.

Headgear: Shako of the stovepipe style, black in color with a black cockade on the left side. A white plume in front with white cords and a white metal plate.

Footwear: Black shoes with black half-gaiters worn under the cuff of the trousers.

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1812 Officers Uniform Coat

1813-1815

Coatee:1813 pattern, single breasted, body of coat is blue along with collar, cuffs and turnbacks. White piping at the collar only. Buttons same as 1812 coatee.

Trousers: Same as 1812 requirements.

Headgear: 1813 pattern leather shako with a tombstone front. White plume on the left side with white cords. White metal plate in front.

Footwear: Same as the 1812 requirements.

Accoutrements: Both periods used the 1808 pattern cartridge box with shoulder strap and bayonet baldric. Buff crossbelts were issued early in the war but due to shortages black was substituted. We use the black crossbelts. Canteens were of the either the wooden barrel or cheese box styles. Painted dark blue with a white U.S. painted on the outside and a leather strap. Knapsacks were generally of the Lherbette pattern of 1808.

1813 Privates Uniform