The 1st NH Regiment

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

Board of War dispatches 805 hats, 501 pairs leather breeches, 229 blankets, 1925 shirts, 56 pr hose, 493 pairs overalls, 148 waistcoats, 105 rifle frocks, 885 pairs shoes and various amounts of cloth to the NH Continental Regiments.

Source: Zlatich (Vol 1) Pg 37

May 30, 1778

NH’s Commissary of Military Stores ships to Valley Forge “12 yellow regimental coats, 12 pairs green breeches and 12 jackets for the drummers and fifers of the 1st and 3rd regiments”

Source: Commissary Papers, Box 3, RG 12 NH Records and Archives, also from Zlatich, pg 46 with illustration on Pg 31.

August 9, 1778

An article in Freeman’s Journal reported deserters from the 1st NH wearing:

• Waistcoats: red
• Shirts: white
• Breeches: Green
• Cocked Hats
• Coats: Green Regimentals faced red, w/ yellow (brass) buttons

Source: Freeman’s Journal, Aug 9, 1778 (NH Archives)

August 1778

5 deserters matching above uniform descriptions reported.

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

August 25, 1778

Deserters from Capts. Isaac Fawell & Jason Waits’ companies reported wearing green regimental coats turned up with red in the Connecticut Courant.

Source: Lefferts, pg 117

October 28, 1778

Lottery is held to determine which coats (blue or brown) from France (ordered earlier in the year) would be issued to units. New Hampshire drew brown. Uniforms received are described by Continental Clothier Geo. Measam as being of good quality cloth, lined with white serge (finer wool), white waistcoats and breeches. The breeches were made for knee buckles which were not supplied. Coats were well cut, being large and warm with the lapels made to button over the breast and belly, with plain white buttons and slash sleeves made to button underneath. The coats and waistcoats were lined with white serge and the breeches with strong brown linen. Stockings were lead colored.

Source: Zlatich (Vol 1) Pg 18

November 16, 1778

The New Hampshire regiments were issued 1105 French made brown coats faced in red with slash style cuffs; white waistcoats and breeches, brown overalls and lead colored stockings.

Source: Papers of the Continental Congress (National Archives) and Zlatich (Vol 1) Pg 37

Spring, 1779

From the Board of War’s follow up of Washington’s ordinance of 3/29/79: Coats of strong blue with white facings for NH, MA, RI & CT troops. Waiscoats and Breeches of white.  Overalls if possible.  Smallclothes to be of wool in winter and linen in summer.

(There is no indication that the 1NH were ever issued these uniforms.)

Source: Finke & McBarron; Continental Army Uniforms and Specifications, 1779-81; Military Collector and Historian, Vol XIV, No. 2; Washington, DC; Summer, 1962

March, 1779

NH Board of War sent its Continental troops:

• 909 black stocks
• 2,846 pairs of shoes
• 1,086 leather knee garters
• 20 pairs boots
• 243 1/2yds. linen

Source: Zlatich & Marko; General Washington’s Army: Vol. 2, 1779-83; Osprey: London; 1995