Uniforms and Order of Rank in the U.S Army during the War of 1812

Basic Uniform, Decorations, and Distinctions

The standard uniform for wear at FortMeigs is the “early war” or 1812 regulation uniform of blue cloth(wool) coatee with scarlet collar and cuffs. The trim color (tape, buttons, and cap plate) is yellow for the artillery and white for infantry. The rarely worn coatee for a rifleman is bottle green with black collar & cuffs and gold buttons & cap plate. Riflemen are usually seen in a green rifle frock with buff fringe. Dragoons (mounted infantry) and Light artillery were also branches of the army but are not portrayed in our group.

Privates and Non-Commissioned Officers (NCO’s) wear a coatee (tails to mid-thigh) while Commissioned Officers wear a coat (tails to the back of the knee). 

The Difference Between Commissioned and Non-Commissioned Officers

Officers are divided between those with commissions and those without. Commissioned officers hold the rank of lieutenant (or ensign, coronet, or subaltern – see below) and above. The commissioned officers are again divided between high (staff or regimental) and low (field or platoon) ranks.

A commission is simply a document issued to an individual by a government (state for the militia or federal for the regular army) that grants them the power to command. Non-commissioned officers (NCOs), obviously, do not have this power (or the document).

To be very technical, a commissioned officer commands whereas a non-commissioned officer controls, however the word “command” is generally used in both instances. For example, a Captain in the 2nd U.S. Artillery has the power to command a company of men by way of the U.S. government. A corporal has the right to control a squad of men by way of the Captain’s authority.

Privates and Non-Commissioned Officers

Private
  • No special decorations or insignia
Corporal
  • Commands a squad (3-15 men)
  • Single yellow or white cloth epaulette on the right shoulder
Sergeant
  • Commands a platoon or squad (several squads make up a platoon)
  • Two yellow or white silk epaulettes
  • Red wool sash
  • Sword

Company Officers

Subalterns: 1st, 2nd, & 3rd Lieutenant, Ensign, Cornet
  • Lieutenants may command a Platoon or Company (two platoons make up a company). Ensigns and Cornets are junior to Lieutenants
  • Single Gold or Silver bullion epaulette worn on the left shoulder
  • Red Silk Sash
  • Sword
Captain
  • Commands a Company
  • Single Gold or Silver bullion epaulette worn on the right shoulder
  • Red silk sash
  • Sword (Artillery) or Saber (Infantry)

Field Officers

Field officers and NCO’s are associated with Battalion (or regimental) command. A Battalion is a generic term for a unit made up of multiple companies. In the U.S Army in the war of 1812 an infantry regiment was authorized to have one battalion consisting of 10 companies.  An Artillery regiment had 2 battalions.

Sergeant Major
  • The Sergeant-Major is the senior NCO in the battalion. He assists the adjutant.
  • One Gold or Silver Bullion epaulette on the right shoulder
  • Red wool sash
  • Sword
Adjutant
  • Adjutant is a term given to the assistant to the overall commander, similar to aide-de-camp. Adjutant is not a rank, but a title. The adjutant typically holds a rank between Lieutenant and Major. The adjutant can change day-to-day, based on the desires of the commanding officer.
Major
  • Normally two major’s per regiment. A major may have  independent command.
  • Two Gold or Silver Bullion epaulettes
  • Red Silk Sash
  • Saber
Lieutenant Colonel (addressed as Colonel)
  • Commands a regiment
  • Two Gold or Silver Bullion epaulettes
  • Red Silk Sash
  • Saber
Colonel
  • Commands a regiment
  • Two Gold or Silver Bullion epaulettes
  • Red Silk Sash
  • Saber

 

General Officers (both addressed as General)

Brigadier General
  • Commands a Brigade (2 or more battalions make up a brigade)
  • Two Gold Bullion epaulettes with a single silver star on each
  • Red Silk Sash
  • Saber
Major General
  • Commands an Army (2 or more brigades make up an army)
  • Two Gold Bullion epaulettes with two silver stars on each
  • Red Silk Sash

 

For more information on uniforms, etc.. see “A Most Warlike Appearance  Uniforms, Flags and Equipment of the United States in the War of 1812” by Rene’ Chartrand

Old northwest military history