June 1, 1779 – January, 1783
The following information contains all currently known sources regarding the uniform along with attached ancillary information regarding the unit:
1779
Private Nathan Davis reported that the regiment’s uniform consisted of a short rifle frock, vest, tow trousers, shoes, stockings and a blanket. This is consistent with the uniform issued to soldiers on the Sullivan Campaign. Upon nearing home, following the campaign, the troops were ordered to shave their faces, place evergreen sprigs in their hats and flour their hair.. Davis writes:
“No one could be exempt from this duty. Not a negro or mulatto could escape the honor of a white top to his neck…the sight of nearly 3,000 men in rags and tatters, nearly naked (but with powdered hair)…must have afforded merriment to even the most grave and sanctimonious.”
– Private Nathan Davis
Source: Katcher; Uniforms of the Continental Army; Geo. Shumway, Publisher; York, PA; 1981
June 1, 1779
French uniforms being made at this time had USA buttons on the uniforms. Breeches were being made with 5 buttons on each leg, including the knee band (no knee buckle). Also:
“All buttons on coats, vests and breeches must be well fixed with strong leather thongs which will go from button to button inside. All the coat collars must be able to button with the highest lapel button, but made in such a way that the soldier can button or hook it up around his neck in cold or stormy weather. The coats must have hooks and eyes to fasten the back and the front together as is the practice with troops.”
150 dozen white metal buttons marked NH were also ordered for use on the hats of the NH troops.
Source: Letter to France from the Continental Board of War dated June 11, 1779 from The Company of Military Historians’ Newsletter; Winter, 1780; pg. 164-165
November 25, 1779
From an order of the Continental Congress:
“Officers of the line and staff (are) entitled to receive…1 hat; 1 body coat; 4 stocks; 4pr. breeches, 2 for winter (wool) and 2 for summer (linen); 4 pr. shoes; 1 waistcoat; 4 shirts; 4 vests, 1 for winter, 3 for summer; 6 pr. stockings, 3 pr worsted (wool), 3 of thread (lighter wool or cotton).”
Source: Kidder, Pg 57
March 10, 1780
NH State Clothier had issued to the NH Continentals:
- 636 coats
- 596 vests
- 333 breeches
- 22 linen overalls
- 151 woolen overalls
- 170 shirts
- 673 stockings
- 1679 shoes
- 1128 hats
- 8 hunting shirts
Due to a shortage of cloth in NH, these articles were supplied by the Continental Clothier.
Source: Zlatich (Vol 2) Pg 18
June 30, 1780
Col Henry Dearborn reported to the state Board of War that 1/5 of the troops were totally destitute of a shirt, except for old jackets without sleeves with old stockings drawn over the arms.
Source: IBID
August 9, 1780
A combined French and Spanish fleet captures a large stock of British clothing off Cadiz, Spain.
Source: IBID, Pg 6
June 18, 1781
From an Order of the Continental Congress:
“That all NCO & soldiers…be annually furnished with: 1 regimental coat full made; 1 pr cloth breeches; 1 cotton vest; 1 pr woolen overalls; 2 pr woolen hose, 2 pr woolen socks, 1 felt or leathern cap, 4 shirts, 2 pr linen overalls, 4 pr strong shoes, 1 blanket, 1 rifle shirt, 1 pr woolen gloves, 2 pr shoe buckles & 1 clasp for stock every 2 years…summer clothing to be issued on the 15th day of April, winter clothing on the 1st day of November”
Source: Kidder, Pg 68
September, 1781
The captured British clothing arrives from Spain:
3,683 coats, 2714 breeches, 737 waistcoats, 3,781 shirts,3,752 stocks, 7,495 pr. shoes, 3,312 plain and laced privates’ and 217 sergeants’ hats, 6 silver laced sergeants; caps and 2,271 pr shoes. The British uniforms were sent to Mr. Gen Heath at Continental Headquarters, Newburgh, NY where the coats were dyed brown.
Source: Zlatich (Vol 2), Pg 6
November 14, 1781
From a letter to Gen John Stark from Maj. Gen. W. Heath:
Headquarters, Continental Village, November 14, 1781(in part):
“I am happy in the prospect of the army’s receiving a competent supply of clothing this year. A part of it is now in the store made up by the regimental tailors. Every regiment, whether present or not, will have strict justice done it. I think the paymasters of the two New Hampshire regiments had best come down immediately with their returns, made out and signed, conformable to the ordinance of clothing and late order, that they may be present at the distribution.”
Source: Memoir of General John Stark
November 29, 1781
From the response of Stark to Heath, dated Saratoga (in part):
“In your observations on the clothing, you mention that the materials are to be sent, and the clothes are to be made by the regimental tailors. I must observe that there is but one tailor in the New Hampshire Line, and he a drunken rascal, that could be hardly compelled to make three coats in a winter.”
Source: IBID
December 12, 1781
Again from Heath to Stark, dated Headquarters, Hudson Highlands (in part):
“The soldiers will receive ample supplies of clothing, but it will be late before it is ready. The paymasters of the New Hampshire regiments have drawn shoes, hose, some overalls, shirts, &c. for the most necessitous men. These will be conveyed to Albany in a few days, when all the detachments will join their corps. the paymasters of the regiments think that the clothing can soon be made up for the men of your line.”
Source: IBID
December 12, 1781
From a letter from Stark to Heath:
“I am sure it is not practicable for the troops that are here to go to the Mohawk River until they are clothed. Indeed I am obliged to detain the six month’s men to do the necessary camp duty on account of the nakedness of the Continental Troops.
In the last duty report, only 36 ‘three years and during the war’ men, including sergeants, were fit for duty in the two regiments. The remainder are so naked that they cannot procure fuel for their own use.
If there is a possibility of sending some blankets, shirts, overalls, stockings and shoes, they might afford a temporary relief, and I dare say they would prove satisfactory.”
Source: Kidder, Pg 75
NOTE: It is apparent that these two notes crossed in the mail.
December, 1781
The clothing situation is so bad in the NH line that they are the first units designated to receive the captured British uniforms.
Source: Zlatich (Vol 2), Pg 18
Early 1782
The Line troops of NH, NY, NJ and the 10th MA Regt. received the dyed captured British coats. Uniforms are described in the orderly book of the 2nd NH Regt. as a Brown-dyed British coat, faced and cuffed white, narrow white lace on outside of facings, collar and upper end of cuffs, blue diamonds with white binding at the corner of the turnbacks; British hat, white waistcoat, linen overalls, white star on the breast of coat (see note following), black stock and white shirt.
Source: IBID, Pg 6, 44
July 7, 1782
Washington orders service chevrons to be worn. They are to be of herring-bone form, extending from seam to seam, three inches from and parallel with the shoulder seam, on the left arm of rank and file for each 3 years of faithful service. Order is later clarified to make chevrons the facing color of the coats.
Source: IBID, Pg 8
Prior to September, 1782
“Completely outfitted in these uniforms, hats, waistcoats and breeches, the two remaining (NH) regiments decided at some time before (this date) to embellish their coats with stars resembling French decorations.”
Source: IBID, Pg 18
(Illustration on Pg. 31 – the uniform for 1NH would have had buttons set singly rather than in pairs)
December 2, 1782
Continental War Office orders that all coats for 1783 will be faced in red, with white linings and buttons.
Source: IBID, Pg 8
January, 1783
Washington orders the Continental Clothier at Newburg, NY to issue the two NH regiment’s new uniforms.
Source: IBID, Pg 18
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