Common or uncommon acceptance

[Trooper Graham]

ref: "volunteers wearing service stripes in a 1862 scenerio".

Although I agree with Sgt Todd on other things in his post on the "dismounted cavalry" thread, the above I ask, is it because it was not common that it is a NO-NO?
It's well known that prior service, especially experience veterans fighting on the plains and in the Mexican War these men were sought after at the outbreak of the CW. I would think that the above would consitute the wearing of service stripes. But, other noticeable attributes would have to come into play such as the age of the reenactor wearing the service stripe/stripes. The CW was not just a young man's war like they have been. It took all ages, grey beards and all.

[Lee Ragan]

My primary unit does a late antibellum unit on the Texas frontier. (Co. K, 1st Regt. U.S. Infantry who were stationed at Ft. Lancaster, Texas.) Some of the guys wear enlistments stripes and included are red trimed stripes for service during the Mexican War. Since service stripes were authorized in the 1854 uniform regs for dress uniforms, they are only worn on the dress frock coat. One of our men wears 5 hashmarks to indicate over 25 years in the "old" Army and Mexican War service, but he's a "lifer private". Those were fairly common in the regulars.
Now if regulars can wear service-in-war stripes, I don't see why a veteran serving in a volunteer regiment during the war couldn't do the same. Some men served many years in the old regular Army, got out and went back in state volunteer units during the war. I will admit that I've not seen any research concerning numbers, but it did happen.
I do know that wearing of hashmarks was generally restricted to the dress frock coat, but they were known to be worn on the fatigue blouse (sack coat), after the war. It will be interesting to see what kind of researched info this question stirs up on this forum.

[Trooper Graham]

One must also remember that congress authorized President Polk to call up 50,000 men to serve in vol units. A total of 73,532 that served in the mexican War were in volunteer state units. I would love to know how many of those put the uniform back on to rejoin their states regt for service in the CW.

[RJSamp]

Don't know where I got the numbers from....but I tell the kids 16,000 soldiers and 8000 veterans served in combat during the ACW.... 3 were veterans of the War of 1812 (John Burns being one, General Scott not being one). None of the Veterans were from the Alamo battle between Texas and Mexico. Millions of volunteers...188,000 colored troops....

Would love to have the correct numbers!

[Lee Ragan]

Don't know where I got the numbers from....but I tell the kids 16,000 soldiers and 8000 veterans served in combat during the ACW.... 3 were veterans of the War of 1812 (John Burns being one, General Scott not being one). None of the Veterans were from the Alamo battle between Texas and Mexico. Millions of volunteers...188,000 colored troops....

Would love to have the correct numbers!

I disagree sir about General Winfield Scott. He WAS a veteran of the War of 1812 and was breveted Brig. General in March 1814. He participated in several campaigns and is noted as the victor at the Battle of Chippewa.

[Trooper Graham]

Grant, McClellan, Burnside, Stonewall Jackson, Longstreet, Meade, Lee, Bragg, Hardee, Johnston, Kearny, Sherman and Sturgis just to name a few occifers who served in the Mexican War.

[Rob Weaver]

Winfield Scott was a distinguished hero of the War of 1812! It's truly a shame that he didn't retire after the Mexican War and enjoy his well-earned fame. The lasting image of him is the fat, dottering old man, replaced by the dashing Little Mac.
You can add to those numbers 150,000 Germans. Was it Gen. Sykes who remarked, "After 1862 there were no regulars?"

[Dave Myrick]

ref: "volunteers wearing service stripes in a 1862 scenerio".

Although I agree with Sgt Todd on other things in his post on the "dismounted cavalry" thread, the above I ask, is it because it was not common that it is a NO-NO?
It's well known that prior service, especially experience veterans fighting on the plains and in the Mexican War these men were sought after at the outbreak of the CW. I would think that the above would consitute the wearing of service stripes. But, other noticeable attributes would have to come into play such as the age of the reenactor wearing the service stripe/stripes. The CW was not just a young man's war like they have been. It took all ages, grey beards and all.

It would become a NO NO when it is done arbitrarily or on a widespread basis. Provide documentation to justify that your grey beards took to the field in the volunteer cavalry regiments and back up your impression with fact and no one can take an exception. If you are are 1st Sgt Soandso of the 2nd Wherever Cavalry and he wore his service stripes and they were at the Battle of 2nd Manassas and you are representing him and his regiment there, then it would be perfectly fine to wear them.
Dave

[Trooper Graham]

Provide documentation to justify that your grey beards took to the field in the volunteer cavalry regiments

Dave

Time for some more of Dave Gink's photographs.

[Dave Myrick]

Time for some more of Dave Gink's photographs.

Just keep in mind one or two photographs alone is not incontrivertable proof of anything common place or widespread. The photo of the COnfederate trooper with the leopardskin pants comes to mind. Yes it cannot be denied that he had them but how common are they and are they worthy of replication at events?
Dave