UNION ARMY

Cavalry
Cavalry wore a single breasted jacket reaching to waist length. This could either be the ‘dress’ version which had yellow lacing on the collars, cuffs, front seams and back seams, or a more serviceable plain shell jacket of similar length. Trousers were the same sky blue garments worn by the infantry.

The forage cap was far more widely used by cavalry than infantry, and was also far more likely to bear arm of service and unit distinctions.

The waist belt was of black leather and supported the cap box on the right hit followed by a pistol holster, pistol cartridge box and a carbine cartridge box. The steel scabbard was slung from the left hip with two black leather straps.

The carbine was carried on a swivel attachment from a broad black leather belt slung over the left shoulder.

Officers wore similar uniforms with rank indicated by shoulder straps as with the infantry.

Musicians wore dress coats decorated with a lace ‘frame’ in yellow