Canada Hat

[jerryeberg]

Hello folks,
I'm interested in the Michigan-regiment popular "Canada Cap" (or hat) as seen in many photos on this website...

http://www.4thmichigan.com/

I don't know how to best describe it except as a skull cap with a tassel that troops wore mostly in the early war.
My sister wants to help me make one and we need information on them or even a pattern if anyone knows where to get one. Please let me know any info you have or if you have questions. Thanks.
-Jerry

[PVT.THIB]

This is already being discussed in length here...
http://www.authentic-campaigner.com/...ad.php?t=18831

Regards,

[jerryeberg]

Woah, what a coincidence. Thanks.

[M E Wolf]

Dear JerryEBerg;


Sir, Fort Ward, in Alexandria, Virginia; has Col. Elsworth's cap on display along with his uniform at the museum.

oha.alexandriava.gov/fortward
Phone: 703 - 838-4848

They do have a research room in the museum portion and may be able to give you color information about the fez cap worn by the Zouave unit of Col. Elsworth and perhaps they may have the color details for other Zouave units.

Another potential help, is the historian of the US Army's 3rd Infantry, "Old Guard" - Ft. Meyer and Ft. McNair. Mr. Holien at 703-696-3249 may be of assistance. He is also a re-enactment co-ordinator I believe who will be in Richmond in October. Right now though, he's eyebrows deep in setting up the anniversary of the first airplane flight from Ft. Meyer anniversary. He may be able to assist as well, sir.

O.R.-- SERIES I--VOLUME XXXVI/1 [S# 67]
MAY 4-JUNE 12, 1864--Campaign from the Rapidan to the James River, Va.
No. 4.--Reports of Surg. Thomas A. McParlin, U.S. Army, Medical Director, including operations January 14-July 31.
HEADQUARTERS ARMY OF THE POTOMAC,
MEDICAL DIRECTOR'S OFFICE,
Camp near Cold Harbor, June 6, 1864.
GENERAL: I have the honor to submit to you the following report of the number of wounded received and cared for by the medical«14 R R--VOL XXXVI, PT I» <ar67_210> department of this army since the morning of May 23, 1864, to which date I have before reported,(*) to the evening of June 4, 1864:
[excerpt]
The hospitals of the Second and Fifth Corps remained stationary throughout the battle. Those of the Sixth Corps were collected on the night of May 6 and moved to the vicinity of Dowdall's Tavern on the Fredericksburg turnpike. This removal was necessitated by a fierce attack of the enemy upon the right wing, which forced back and threw into temporary confusion the Third Division of the Sixth Corps. Some shells were thrown into the vicinity of the Spotswood house, injuring two ambulances, but doing no further damage. The records of the various hospitals were, as a general thing, carefully and accurately kept. The hospital of the Second Corps being but a short distance from the front, the influx of patients was so rapid and their numbers so great that it was not possible to record all of them. About 120 of the enemy's wounded were brought in, chiefly to the hospitals of the Second Corps. The total number of wounded, killed, and missing during this battle is shown by the following statement, which, however, does not include the loss of General Burnside's command: [by passing chart-excerpt]
The number of wounded, according to the regimental returns, is 10,185, or 1,045 more than is given above, but subsequent returns render it probable that this is an error. A consolidated statement of the wounded of this battle is appended, together with a return of wounded officers. It will be noted that this number is large, 1 to every 16 enlisted men. This was due to the fact that the conflict was in many respects skirmishing on a large scale, and the men most conspicuously dressed were the first victims. For a similar reason the Zouave brigade of the First Division, Fifth Army Corps, whose uniforms are banded with red and yellow scrolls, met with very heavy loss. The relative proportion of killed was also large, being nearly 1 to every 5 wounded. Only 240 wounds from cannon shot and shell were observed. As a somewhat interesting fact, bearing upon the character of the conflict, it may be mentioned that but 11 rounds of ammunition per man were used by the army during the three days' fight, as stated by the chief ordnance officer. [end of excerpt]
----------------------------------------

Southern Historical Society Papers.
Vol. XXXII. Richmond, Va., January-December. 1904.
The Pulaski Guards.
excerpt
At about 3 o'clock the enemy had pushed forward a strong column of infantry and artillery, and had arrived in close proximity of Jackson's left flank near the Henry House. At this time the men of the 4th Regiment were lying flat on their faces on the ground in the rear of the battery to escape the heavy artillery fire of the enemy when we were called to attention and ordered forward on the double-quick, and on an oblique move to the left over a stake and brush fence, through a skirt of pines and subject to a heavy fire of musketry. In a very few minutes we were in close contact with the ranks of the enemy of which a very conspicuous body was a Zouave Regiment from New York, with highly decorated uniforms, consisting of loosely fitting red breeches, blue blouses, with Turkish tassel as headgear. Jackson's men rushed at them, with fixed bayonets, every man yelling at the top of his voice. Here was the origin of the "Rebel yell," which afterwards became so conspicuous in later battles of the Army of Northern Virginia. The men fired [end of excerpt]
J. B. CADDALL,
Co. C, 4th Va. Infantry.

------------------------------------------------
Good luck with your endeavours with making the correct fez for your unit sir.


Just some thoughts.

Respectfully submitted for consideration,
M. E. Wolf

[Ross L. Lamoreaux]

I don't believe the 4th Michigan was a zouave unit, just had a distinctive piece of headgear in the early part of the war. The pictures on their website showed just another early war, Eastern theater regiment. Am I interpreting this correctly Mr. Berg?

[Rob Weaver]

They also wore the dark blue trousers, but with a 4-button coat. I don't think they were zouaves properly, either. Their uniform is very snappy, though, and an interesting twist on the issue Federal uniform. They also wore those low leather leggins, too. There are several very good photos of the 4th in Francis Lord's old "Uniforms of the Civil War."

[zouavecampaigner]

Southern Historical Society Papers.
Vol. XXXII. Richmond, Va., January-December. 1904.
The Pulaski Guards.
Zouave Regiment from New York, with highly decorated uniforms, consisting of loosely fitting red breeches, blue blouses, with Turkish tassel as headgear.

Interestingly enough, there were no Federal Regiments dressed like this at 1st Manassas. Many accounts of "Zouaves", "Fire Zouaves", or "Ellsworth's Zouaves" at 1st Manassas ACTUALLY are referring to the 14th Brooklyn, and have dogged the fighting reputation of the 11th NY for 147 years now.

Regards,
Shaun Grenan

[jerryeberg]

Yes, the 4th was not a zouave unit. They look pretty sweet though, that's why I'm still interested even though I'm not reenacting as the 4th any more.
Oh yea, and I tried to post in AC, but I haven't been there in more than a year and apparently my account was blocked from posting, anyone know how I can fix this?

[Ross L. Lamoreaux]

Yes, the 4th was not a zouave unit. They look pretty sweet though, that's why I'm still interested even though I'm not reenacting as the 4th any more.
Oh yea, and I tried to post in AC, but I haven't been there in more than a year and apparently my account was blocked from posting, anyone know how I can fix this?

The AC went to a paid donation system a few months back. You need to pay a minimal fee each year to become a member. You can access the posts for free, but to post yourself or gain access to other areas, there is the new fee. They brought that about to help with server upgrades, expenses, etc.

[jerryeberg]

In that case, I'll post here.
Ok, in that thread, it says that the C-hats were maroon with a sky blue tassel. That is totally not what I thought it was. I thought it was navy blue with a red tassel as seen in many obscure little websites such as...

http://www.avantgarde2000.freeserve....IVATESPAGE.htm
http://www.4thmichigan.com/images/4t...antry_1861.gif

I've never seen any colored drawing of a 4th MI Canada hat being maroon and sky blue. The only reference to that color is a colored tintype of a 4th MI soldier from the Monroe History Museum in Michigan. Anyone know how I can be sure of the color?