Spring 1775 – Winter 1777 – The 1st NH Regiment

May 22, 1775 – January, 1777

The following information contains all currently known sources regarding the uniform along with attached ancillary information regarding the unit:

May 22, 1775

Regiment is authorized in the NH State Troops as the 1st NH Regt.

Organized June 3, 1775 in Medford, MA. Adopted into the Continental Army and assigned to the Main Army June 14, 1775. Assigned July 22 to Sullivan’s Brigade.

Source: Wright, Robert; The Continental Army; US Army, Center of Military History; Washington, DC; 1989; pg 197

Prior to Fall, 1775

No set uniform. Civilian clothes were worn.

November 27, 1775

The British Brig “Nancy” is captured. The red wool for British uniforms is dyed brown and used to clothe NH and MA troops.

Uniform:

Coat – Brown w/ red facings
Breeches – Brown
Waistcoats – Red

Source: Documents and Records Relating to NH; Concord, 1874

January 1, 1776

In the reorganization of the Continental Army, the unit’s designation is changed to the 5th Continental Regiment. French styled buttons with the numeral 5, known to have been used by the 5th Continentals have been found at Mt. Independence (VT) where the unit would have been in 1777. prior to Saratoga.

Source: Wright., Pg 197

October 8, 1776

Uniform to consist of:

1 Regimental Jacket
1 Jacket without sleeves (waistcoat)
1 Pair buckskin and 2 Pair Linen or woolen breeches
1 Hat or Leathern Cap 2 Shirts
1 Hunting Shirt
2 Pairs Overalls
2 Pairs Stockings
2 Pairs Shoes
1 Blanket

Source: Kidder, Frederick; History of the 1st New Hampshire Regiment; Peter Randall, Publisher; 1973, 1975; Pg 62

January, 1777

On Jan. 1, 1777 the unit’s designation reverts to the 1st NH Regt.

Source: Wright, Pg 197

Congress orders that a suit of clothes be annually given to each NCO & private soldier to consist for the present year of:

2 linen hunting shirts
2 pr. overalls
a leathern or woolen waistcoat with sleeves
1 pr of breeches
a hat or leathern cap
2 shirts
2 pr. of stockings
2 pr. of shoes”

Source: Kidder