Continental uniforms at Guilford courthouse
Hi, Can I ask, if thereīs somebody, how knows, how looked the uniforms of continental infantry at Guilford Courthouse. I found the uniform for 2nd Maryland (blue with red lapels) and I suppose, that 1st Maryland had the same. But I still donīt knot, what is the right uniform for 4th and 5th Virginia…. Thanks Standa

Officially, all three of the State Lines represented at GCH should have had blue faced scarlet. In reality, because all three contingents were ad hoc amalgamations of decimated units and new recruits, it is doubtful if any regiment had a "uniform" in any real sense. The 1st Maryland (1780) was formed from the provisional battaltion created out of the remnants of the Maryland Line after Camden; most of the original regiments seem to have had the blue-faced-red uniform issued to them at some point, although probably not in sufficient numbers to clothe the whole unit. The 2nd Maryland (1781) was formed from the Extra Battalion formed in the State and sent south after Camden; it is not known for sure what clothing they were issued (if any) prior to moving south. As far as I can see from Katcher's Uniforms of the Continental Army, there were no major clothing issues to Maryland troops between March 1780 and June 1781, so I would assume that both GCH regiments were wearing whatever had survived the intervening 12 months and anything else they could get hold of. Possibly most of the R&F were in hunting shirts. From memory, I believe the Virginia troops were raised relatively recently and - despite being often described as "4th Regiment" and "5th Regiment" - were most likely drafted militia, rather than Continentals proper. On that basis, they were almost certainly not well clothed and equipped at this time, so they may well have had a mix of official, non-official and civilian clothing. I also seem to recall (possibly from a Company of Military Historians plate) that Kirkwood's Delaware company wore hunting shirts and white one-piece gaiter trousers with a blue stripe. However, Katcher indicates that they also received a set of small clothes and a short coat (I would guess either blue or brown) from North Carolina clothing stores. Perhaps this site might help you with the overall appearance of your army. Although better known for his ACW stuff, Troiani is usually fairly accurate (and his site is a great resource for AWI uniforms and civilian clothing generally). His portfolio includes an Extra/2nd Maryland figure, but this is for 1780 - whilst unlikely, it is just possible that the unit had received a different uniform by March 1781. http://www.historicalimagebank.com/gallery/main.php/v/album01/album15/Maryland_Extra_Regt_1780_2nd_Md_Regt_jpg.jpg.html Maryland officer. However, be aware that officers usually had their own uniforms made up for them, whilst NCOs often got first pick of whatever clothing did arrive, so whilst they are indicative of the official uniform of a unit, what they wore is not necessarily representative of what the R&F would have worn. http://www.historicalimagebank.com/gallery/main.php/v/album01/album15/TRW50+-+Maryland+Continental+Officer+1780.jpg.html An example of Virginia State troops at this time:- http://www.historicalimagebank.com/gallery/main.php/v/album01/album15/Gaskin_s_Battalion_1781.jpg.html A general view of infantry uniform:- http://www.historicalimagebank.com/gallery/main.php/v/album01/album15/TRW21+-+US+Continental+Inf_+.jpg.html

Hello Armin, I'm also basing my American army on what was present at Guilford Courthouse. There really isn't much information in regards to uniforms of the Americans for this battle and so I second everything Ronan said. So far I've only done some of the Militia elements,and Riflemen but when I do the continentals I plan on putting them generally in a blue faced red uniform with some hunting shirts,brown faced red uniforms,and plain white shirts,civilian clothes mixed in here and there. For Militia I recommend doing just the opposite with most in civilian clothes/white shirts with a few in blue/ brown faced red uniforms and hunting shirts mixed in. I think this will be pretty close to the overall appearance of the army. My army progress and choices I've made can be found in my blog ( http://christopher-bunkerhill.blogspot.com/ )I'm not the fastest painter,so my entries might not come fast enough for you,but what I have I hope you find useful. P.S.I highly recommand what RTL pointed out in that Troiani material is absolutely top notch and you really should reference his web site and pick up some of his books if you can.

Thanks for the back up RTL. :) When I've finished the Americans sometime this decade,:roll: I plan on doing The British as well.I think I should find the uniforms easier to reference.

Continentals at Guilford Courthouse
One of the best representations I have seen of a Continental infantry regiment in the latter part of the war, especially in the south, is H. Charles McBarron's painting of the 1st Maryland at Guilford. There is a mixture of uniforms in the unit, many wearing dark blue faced red, but others wearing a mixture of hunting shirts along with a mixture of gaiter trousers and breeches, stockings and half gaiters. The headgear is usually the regulation tricorne, but other hats, such as beat up tricornes and roundhats, are also among the rank and file. The 2d Maryland might have worn brown faced red uniform coats. As they had some officers from the 1st Maryland seconded to them after they joined Greene's army, they would be in blue faced red. It should also be noted that one of the companies in the 1st Maryland was Captain Jacquett's Delaware company and they would either be in blue faced red or gaiter trousers and hunting shirts as Kirkwood's company might have been. The two Virginia regiments were probably in blue faced red as uniformly as possible but I have no doubt that some were in hunting shirts. Any regiment on either side during the war might start the campaign season somewhat smartly uniformed or at least in serviceable clothing. by late fall they were probably in patched uniforms or rags, as the rough terrain was rough on uniforms. Sincerely, G

One of the best representations I have seen of a Continental infantry regiment in the latter part of the war, especially in the south, is H. Charles McBarron's painting of the 1st Maryland at Guilford. Indeed,it's been my screen saver for over a year now! :D Just like RTL,I agree with your above opinion and it's seems we are all more or less singing the same tune.This is good as that sure helps with putting together what is rather a more vague army then some others in terms of uniforms.

H. Charles McBarron
Great choice on the screen saver. :-) McBarron's paintings were well-researched and the Guilford one was part of a portfolio done for the US Bicentennial in 1976. They were 'murder boarded' for accuracy. The prints produced by The Company of Military Historians are handled the same way. I'm working on expanding my master's thesis into a book on Guilford and hope to have that painting on the cover. It catches the spirit and professionalism of the Continentals. Sincerely, K

I'm working on expanding my master's thesis into a book on Guilford and hope to have that painting on the cover. It catches the spirit and professionalism of the Continentals. Well then,I wish you the best of luck in your endeavor.I'll be sure to pick up a copy. :D I agree that the painting sure does evoke the determination,defiance and Es Spirit de Corps of the continental soldier.As an American it raises your pulse as I'm sure Howard's painting of the British at Bunker Hill would our English friends. 8)

Yes,Howard Pyle.I think it's his painting of the British marching in line going up Bunker Hill if I'm not mistaken.I think it's the most famous depiction of Bunker Hill. I'm not discussing the accuracy,tactics,mistakes or anything other then what the imagery provokes. I think both sides during this battle showed great courage and determination. Why I singled this out as a fine example of British determination and es spirit de corps is their ability to time and again march over their dead and wounded brothers through a hail of fire without breaking ranks and not giving up until they achieved victory.Can you imagine going through your own troops blood and guts that have tried before you and not losing heart.In my opinion that is shining example of courage. The Americans also showed great courage in fighting until out of powder.This is perhaps in my view a battle that both sides can point to with pride.

Try this and see if it works. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Battle_of_Guilford_Court_House.jpg#file Try this and then from computer pic it out as a screen saver.Please bear in mind you should really like the picture, because it does make seeing your screen difficult!However,if you like it as much as I you'll live with it! :lol:

Got it ... Thanks! Mike B

Thanks to all, especialy to Ronan :-) The problem is, that I wanted to make continentals from Foundry miniatures, which canīt be mixed with those from Perryes, because Iīm using poses which are specific for Foundry. That mean, that I must make them only in shooting/marching poses, becaouse then I can mix them with militia miniatures... I hope that I will finish some unit soon ane post some photos...