Uniform and Arms

This page discusses the Uniforms and Arms of the 31st Indiana Volunteer Infantry soldier. On this page are two (2) different representations of typical 31st Indiana Privates. The first, shown below, is of my Great, Great Grandfather Andrew Gosnell  and James N. Sheperd who represent the early uniforms. The second, represents what I believe to be the typical (later) uniform, beginning in 1862 through the end of the war.

 Andrew Gosnell, 1835 - 1896
31st Indiana Volunteer Infantry

About This Photo:
The above image is of what is left of the portrait of Andrew Gosnell which hung on the wall of the Gosnell residence and the residence of his daughter (My Great Grandmother) Bertha Ann Gosnell Cummins. The portrait is 16" x 20" in size. It is believed that this portrait was an enlargement of a smaller photo of him. The original picture frame has deteriorated and the portrait has broken into 3 major pieces and is crumbling. The portrait consists of a heavy photo board. The wooden backing broke in three pieces causing the same to occur in the portrait. On the back of the portrait written in cursive is "Mrs. Gosnell". Another unreadable name is on the back which we believe to be the Photographer or the business which may have enlarged it. The original photo was taken in 1861 or early 1862, because Andrew is a private in this portrait. Andrew was promoted to Corporal in July of 1862.

This is a reverse image, which was common during that period, which supports the idea that this may have been copied from an original Ambrotype or Tintype photo that may have looked like the below (simulated) photo.

What He is wearing:
Andrew is wearing a plain forage cap and a 9 button shell jacket. Stuffed in his belt are 2 revolvers. The pistols are Navy Colts . Supported by his left hand is a model 1858 Enfield Saber-bayonet. Note the Saber-bayonet's distinctive shape indicative of the Enfield. Against his right is a model 1858 Enfield Rifle. The "US" on the belt buckle is not clear in the portrait, but it is believed to be such a buckle. A Tintype or Ambrotype photo was sometimes hand painted with gold buttons and belt buckle and rose added to the subject's cheeks. This would explain the fuzzyness of the reverse US on the belt buckle. Attached to his belt a standard "Cap pouch". Across his shoulder is the "Cartridge Box " belt with the box on his left (your right) below the waist belt. This manner of wearing the cap and cartridge box is not normally done in this fashion.

Comments on Uniform and Arms of the 31st Indiana:

Uniform:

By examining the photo of James N. Sheperd below, one can see that he and Andrew both were wearing the same Uniforms and Equipment.  James was also in Company K of the 31st Indiana.  They most likely had their pictures taken at the same photographer.  

James N. Sheperd 31st Indiana, Co. K

Andrew's and James' uniforms are typical of the early uniforms issued in the first year of the war. Consistency and practicality were not always the case in 1861, especially with the first regiments that went off to war. Early uniforms were mostly issued by the state and not by the U.S. Government in 1861, thus the many differences.

Few known photos exist of 31st Indiana Civil War enlisted men in their uniforms with arms. The uniforms of the 31st Indiana changed somewhat as the war drew on. As uniforms wore out, they would have been replaced by what was available at the time. 

Another photo of a 31st Indiana soldier in the author's collection shows a different uniform. This soldier was recruited in August of 1862. The recruit (private) wears a forage cap, much like Andrew's above, a 4 button sack coat, US oval belt buckle, a brass eagle badge on the cartridge box leather shoulder strap, and an Enfield cartridge box and cap pouch. The recruit is holding an 1853 Enfield Musket. I believe this to be the typical (later) uniform, beginning in the year, 1862 through the end of the war. Bearing in mind that clothing wore out, the probability is that most enlisted men ended up with this style uniform as the war drug on.

Early Uniform	Later Uniform
© 2001 Dennis Hutchinson

The above water color drawings by the author represent the early and later style 31st Indiana V.I. uniforms. Andrew's depiction [Early Uniform] based on his photo, (see description above) shows him with navy blue trousers since they appear dark in the photo. The drawing on your right [Later Uniform] was made using the photo mentioned above of another 31st Indiana Vol. soldier. The photo was taken in 1862. This drawing represents the typical dress of the 31st Indiana Volunteer Infantry Soldier during the later years.

Did they wear Shoes or Boots? Shoes would have been the normal footwear. Footwear issued by the Army for infantry men would have been shoes. Boots could have been sent by the soldiers family to him in the field or if he had the monetary means, he could purchase boots on his own. Officers would have been more likely to have had boots than enlisted men since they were more likely to be financially able to purchase them.

Hats or Caps? Initially the men were issued Forage Caps as above, and as late as August of 1862, they were still receiving Forage Caps. However, beginning in the warmer weather of 1862, some Diaries report receiving "hats" and some mention purchasing a "hat". The "Western" soldier preffered the "hat" that would protect him from the effects of the sun and rain. Most were farmers and were used to their hats and could have had their old favorite sent to them. There are many photos of "Western" soldiers with hats, but unfortunately I do not have a photo of a 31st Indiana private wearing a "hat". There are some photos of officers having a hat.

Arms:
Some companies of the 31st Indiana did not receive their initial shipment of arms until after reaching Evansville in September of 1861. These soldiers were disappointed in receiving converted Springfield Muskets. These muskets were old flintlocks converted to caplocks. The regiment expected to receive Enfields and made their displeasure known to Colonel Cruft. He explained to them that this was all that could be obtained at this time.

Later, sometime in October, the regiment was lucky in receiving a shipment of model 1858 Enfield Rifles and model 1853 Enfield Muskets. An excerpt from a letter written in October of 1861 by a 31st Indiana soldier notes; "...there is two kinds of guns in the regiment........the enfield rifles and rifled musket." The regiment was now well armed, the Enfields being considered the "Best" of the Muzzle loading arms of the war. These arms would have been obtained by the efforts of the Hon. Robert Dale Owen, a former Congressman, who was commissioned by Governor Oliver P. Morton to obtain Arms for Indiana troops.

Please note that there is a difference between the Model 1858 Enfield "Rifle" and the model 1853 Enfield "Musket". Both models are rifled weapons, manufactured in England, and were of .577 caliber. The "Rifle" model is 5 inches shorter and has a lug to hold the Saber-bayonet. Also, the Rifle has 2 barrel bands whereas the Musket has 3. The Musket uses a triangular cross-section bayonet. Below are examples of the Model 1858 Enfield Rifle and Model 1853 Enfield Musket.

Model 1858 Enfield Rifle

Model 1853 Enfield Musket   Bayonets and Scabbards for the Above Enfields

Saber Bayonet for the Enfield Rifle (above) Bayonet for the Enfield Musket (below) Author's collection

Since we've been discussing Uniforms and Arms of the regiment, here is a picture of this Web site's author. This photo was taken at the Lincoln Pioneer Village in Rockport, IN during a Living History presentation for the 5th grade.  I have in hand my trusty Enfield while wearing a 4 button sack coat, "J.T. Martin" pattern. I consider this to be mid 1862 through 1865 garb. My good wife has sent me my comfortable hat.

I am interested in anything connected with the 31st Indiana Vol. Infantry, or if you have any questions please feel free to contact me by E-Mail. I am especially interested in photos of soldiers from the 31st Indiana in their wartime clothing.

If you have an Ancestor that was in the 31st Indiana Vol. Infantry, please E-Mail me with the name of your ancestor. I am interested in finding out who the present day descendants are.

I can also help with information on all Indiana Soldiers.