CONFEDERATE CAVALRY UNIFORMS

After the Treaty of New Echota the Cherokee Nation was in turmoil, which resulted in the Indian Removal or as it became known among the Cherokees as the "Trial of Tears."

When the Civil War came to the Indian Territory, it struck with a vengeance. The Federal Troops [union] abandoned the territory in mass. As I have pointed out this is why many of the Indians chose the Southern cause. A war that was "a come as you are" war. As members of the various tribes signed up for service in the early mounted regiments. Many of Them did so out of a sense of loyalty and adventure. Most Cherokees joined as an out shoot of the Treaty of New Echota. After the "Battle of Wilson's Creek" in South western Missouri the Commanders of the Trans-mississippi West. Recognized that the previously neglected Territorial Indians perhaps were of value to the Southern cause after all. Bg. Gen. Albert Pike was commissioned to recruit five regiments of Territorial Indians from the Five Civilized Tribes. They were to be mobilized for the express purpose of protecting their homes and the Indian Territory. They were told that they would not be required to leave the territory.

Troops of the Indian Territory, came as they were to each engagement in the early stages of the conflict. Some of them started to pickup some parts of uniforms from the field as they went. Most commonly seen were the trousers taken from northern troops [blue]. However, during the Wilson's Creek engagement (the first Civil War engagement in or near the Indian Territory), 4/5ths of the future Bg. Gen. Stand Watie's unit was barefoot and without blankets.

During the later engagements it was - come as you are; so boots; pants; jackets; etc. of the type listed below, were a luxury that few were able to enjoy.

Regimental Uniform and Equipment Regulations

It was not commonplace in the Western Theater for Cav. units to wear yellow stripes on their trousers or their coats, as it was east of the Mississippi. This was even more true of the Territorial Indian units since they did not have a functional supply system, nor a means of replacing the clothing gathered from the field.

Cavalry Great Coat Grey Wool Cavalry Great Coat Brown/Grey Wool

Arrows indicate saddle reinforcement Cavalry Trousers Grey Wool

Cotton cavalry pants with canvas yellow stripes
Same pattern of pants as worn by Brig. Gen. Tuklo Bish-Ko-Kos

COL. Infantry Frock Coat Maj. Open Front Frock Coat brown wool

Wool vest, worn by officers and senior enlisted (usually)

Cavalry Lt's Grey Wool Kepi

Bootees and gaiters were normally worn by enlisted and NCO's, officers and mounted troops usually wore knee high or upper mid calf Cavalry boots.

There were various types of belts and buckles worn by the Confederate army at any given time.

Member 1st Cherokee Mounted Rifles, notice mis-match of unifrom parts with half leggins
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Handguns of the Civil War Period

Most common Civil War handguns

1858 Colt Navy 1851 Colt Army 1858 Remington