Virginia Uniforms and Organization in the War of 1812

 Virginia in the War of 1812

Virginia had one of the better organized and equipped militia. On paper, this was 65,000 infantry organized into 100 regiments, 8,800 cavalry, 7,600 artillery, and 10,000 in miscellaneous troops for a total of 91,000 men.  These numbers would never have been possible on any battlefield because of geography, reluctance to fight etc. The largest formation of militia in the war was at Hampstead Hill, and this was possibly 20,000 men from Maryland, DC, and Virginia. 

I am currently organizing for the Chesapeake campaign (and have started for Battles in the Western theatre, and New Orleans). To do this with any sort of accuracy, I am going into more detail into several of the states that fought at these battles. This is difficult, as uniform regulations were changing often year by year. Definitely, it would have taken time for militia units to become equipped with new uniforms. 

  The best examples of what militia units looked like in the field are the two paintings created by Thomas Ruckle of the 5th Maryland Volunteers. He shows in detail how the militia at North Point and Hampstead Hill were uniformed. Infantry mostly had blue tailed jackets. They had a mix of round hats, and some units had stove pipe style shakos. The 5 units of cavalry he painted all had their own uniforms (but were all blue). Why this is relevant, is that Maryland was also to adopt government uniforms in 1814, none are visible in the paintings, just the previous versions of uniforms. Virginia was told to change theirs a year earlier however, so I would assume at least some of the infantry would have had new uniforms. Regular citizens would have struggled to afford this cost, so pervious versions would have been dominant in my opinion,

Virginian Troops took part in the following battles and Campaigns;

Fort Meigs in 1813; The Petersburg Volunteers (75 men) These were Light Infantry and wore the Light Infantry uniform shown above. 

Invasion Force for Montreal; A unit of "Virginian Volunteers" were formed as aunit with the 20th Regiment 200 men total. This army was routed at Crysler's Farm and crossed back to the American side of the St. Lawrence. They probably wore the uniform at right but with white or blue pantaloons (possibly with red facings). 

Raids on Norfolk and Hampton Roads 1813; Various Units

Bladensburg; The 60th Regiment (500 to 700 men) arrived just after the battle. The James City Light Infantry (100 men) were in the first line with the Baltimore Rifles. A Cavalry unit of 100 men were attached to the 2nd Regular Light Dragoons. *Note that the Osprey Chesapeake Campaign book lists these cavalry as being from DC. I have read in perhaps 10 sources that these were Virginian cavalry, not from DC (no details on which units were given in these sources). I am inclined to believe the main bulk of sources which list these as Virginian. 

Defence of Baltimore on Hampstead Hill; Brigadier General Singleton (1777 men), Brigadier General Douglas (864 men).

Cavalry Uniforms

From 1812-1814 Virginian cavalry was instructed to replace their green uniforms with the above uniform, but with light blue turban and red over white plume. This would have taken time to change (if it was changed at all).

The Norfolk Light Dragoons are pictured here (at left) wearing the state guidelines up until January 22nd 2012. At this point the cavalry was instructed to change their uniforms to the uniform at right but with a light blue band around the head, and red over white plume. Renee Chartrand implies either of these uniforms were possible into 1814. Militia had to pay for there own uniforms. 

In June 1814, Virginian Cavalry was told to adopt the uniform of the regular army Light Dragoons (helmet style above). Some militia helmets exist from other states that are similar as above. Many other states did have some units that had the regular light dragoon uniform (often with red facings). It is possible that the Virginian Cavalry at Bladensburg had this uniform, or had more than one company with a variety of versions.

Virginian Infantry Uniforms

Virginian Militia uniform 1812-1813, Virginian Rifles, 20th Regiment of Foot (Virginian regulars)

Virginian Reenactors portraying regular Virginian militiamen. 

Virginian Rifle regiments had these uniforms. These would have been in company sized units. Captain Johnson's Company of Riflemen had flesh coloured hunting shirts, and scarlet gaiters. 

A possible version of Virginian militia dressed as regulars. These probably would have had pantaloons not gaiters. 

Artillery would have had the uniform at the top of the post. In the fall of 1813 they were told to have the same uniforms as the regulars. It is impossible to know how quickly any of these formations switched to the new government uniforms (though I'm sure a lot did).

Light Infantry tended to have the uniform on the plate at the top of this post. Units of volunteers often had their own variations of headgear.