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Post by DJ Palama on Sept 16, 2005 22:52:40 GMT -5
Hi,
Just curious about something. In John Brown's attack on Harpers Ferry, were any of the African Americans armed w/ pikes? I'm just trying to remember correctly, since has been a year since I last made it out to Harper's Ferry. I do know he was stockpiling a few.
-DJ
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Post by Robert Braun on Sept 19, 2005 7:42:31 GMT -5
Hi, Just curious about something. In John Brown's attack on Harpers Ferry, were any of the African Americans armed w/ pikes? I'm just trying to remember correctly, since has been a year since I last made it out to Harper's Ferry. I do know he was stockpiling a few. -DJ The short answer is "probably," as some pikes were brought by Browns raiders from the Kennedy Farm to Harper's Ferry. John Brown contracted with Charles Blair, of Collinsville, Conn. for 1,000 pikes-- the head modled after a dagger captured at the Black Jack fight, which Brown himself thought would make a good weapon if only it had a longer handle. As you know, pikes were inexpensive to make (Brown's version cost $1.00 each) and required no special skill or training to use. After the raid, sympathizers removed remaining supplies from the Kennedy farm to a schoolhouse on the Maryland side, where they were later siezed by the authorities. Less than 500 pikes and more than 100 broken handles (the pikes were shipped from Connecticut through Chambersburg, PA disassembled) were discovered. John Brown is another favorite topic of mine. Regards, Bob. |
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Post by DJ Palama on Oct 9, 2005 21:30:41 GMT -5
My next question is what uniforms did the milita in Harper's Ferry wear? I've tried 'googling' it, but I keep getting the photo of a Virigina Milita in 1859 that a lot of history books label as 'troops going off to war."
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Post by Robert Braun on Oct 12, 2005 10:28:50 GMT -5
My next question is what uniforms did the milita in Harper's Ferry wear? I've tried 'googling' it, but I keep getting the photo of a Virigina Milita in 1859 that a lot of history books label as 'troops going off to war." The image to which you are referring is probably one of the "Richmond City Greys," a unit who, like the Wythe Guards, witnessed John Brown's execution in December 1859. Apparently, these units were not at Harper's Ferry at the time of John Brown's raid. Now, the information I have been able to find is sketchy (HAS there beeen a comprehensive work done on the militia at the Ferry in 1859?) but I was able to locate the following companies: VIRGINIA: Led by Col. Robert William Baylor. Several companies, including the "Jefferson City Guards" from Charlestown, a militia company from Bolivar Heights led by a Captain Botts, and other companies. MARYLAND: Led by Col. Edward Shriver, a Frederick lawyer and the commander of the 16th Regiment. Five companies from Baltimore: Independent Greys, Law Greys, Baltimore City Guard, Shields’ Guards, and Wells and McComas Riflemen, total 201 men under arms. My research books are packed away for our impending move, however, if I were to surmise, most if not all of these compamies were clad in grey tail (or "hammerclaw") coats or grey frock coats, brass butons, and buff crossbelts, and a cap most likely in accordance with the Army's 1851 regulations; of grey cloth according to pattern; crown of four upright pieces, height in front from five and threefourths to six and one-fourth inces along the front seam; length behind from seven and one-fourth to seven and three-fourths inches along the back seam; tip from five and one-half to six inches in diameter, and inclining downward slightly form reat to front when the cap is worn, (the dimensions given vary with the circumfrence of the head;) visor of strong neat's leather, two and one-fourth inches wide at the middle; black on the upper and green on the under sides, to be put on at right angles to the front of the cap, or in other words, to be horizontal when the cap is worn; strap of strong black leather fastening under the chin by a yellow metal buckle and leather side; band two inches wide from the lower edge of the cap, and pointed in front according to pattern... with perhaps a light blue worsted pompom and brass furnishings. I'll have to dig up more in November, after the move! Feel free to "bug" me about this topic. Best, Bob. |
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Post by DJ Palama on Oct 12, 2005 21:56:20 GMT -5
Is that hat a style of a shako, is kind of like the French uniform of the Crimean War? Now moving on to the marines, I know what their uniform is similar to the Mexican War one w/o the white piping and they had buff crossbelt, what would the color of the Marine's great coats be?
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Post by Robert Braun on Oct 13, 2005 13:06:17 GMT -5
Is that hat a style of a shako, is kind of like the French uniform of the Crimean War? Now moving on to the marines, I know what their uniform is similar to the Mexican War one w/o the white piping and they had buff crossbelt, what would the color of the Marine's great coats be? Are we making a diorama of Harper's Ferry? 1. The cap is indeed similar to the French style shako; 2. The uniform regulations of 1839 and 1851 didn't specify a greatcoat for the Marines. The 1859 regs did, but I don't know whether or not these regulations codified existing practice or established new practice. At any rate, the Marine 1859 Regs were close to the Army's 1851 regs: 141. All other enlisted men-of blue grey mixture; standup collar; single-breasted; cape to reach down to the elbows, when the arm is extended, and to button all the way up; buttons of the regiment or corps. Marine regs indicated that the cape of the coat went to the cuff, and that the coat closed with seven buttons, in the insignia of the Corps. I do not know if the Marines wore the Army style greatcoat, or the one described in the 1859 Marine regs. I am comfortable with the color. collar, and the single breasted closure. Kind regards, Bob. |
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Post by DJ Palama on Oct 13, 2005 16:44:20 GMT -5
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Post by Robert Braun on Oct 14, 2005 8:39:32 GMT -5
DJ... you lost me here. Did you mean by saying "most of the Abolitionists are more colorful than the real men" that the wargame figures are more "colorful" when painted than say actual period clothing? Take care, Bob. |
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Post by DJ Palama on Oct 14, 2005 9:24:18 GMT -5
Yeah, something like that. IMHO, some of them seem to me more like gentlemen....That's the beauty of toy soldiers, they don't need to be 100% realistic. LIke, it looks like Crimean War Zoauves will be milita, because the only shako heads I have are ALamo Mexicans. ;D
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Post by DJ Palama on Nov 11, 2005 23:42:32 GMT -5
Anyone know of where a good pictures of Harper's Ferry mayor Fontaine, JEB Stuart at the time of the raid, Luke Quinn, the only Marine to be killed, and Lt. Green? I've tried the interent, and can't find anything that would be helpful.
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