1872 officer's dress coat: A photo survey, The

Military Images, Jan/Feb 2003 by Neville, David M

Tillman's extremely fine belt plate is "gilt, rectangular, two inches wide, with a raised bright rim; a silver wreath of laurel encircling the `Arms of the Units States;' eagle, shield, scroll, edge of cloud and rays bright. The motto 'E plurbis unum' upon the scroll; stars also of silver, according to pattern."

A native Tennessean and 1869 graduate of West Point, Samuel Tillman initially was assigned to the artillery, but transferred to the Engineers in 1872, retiring as a colonel in 1911. John Greer Shoulder straps could be worn on the dress coat in place of the more commonly seen shoulder knots. In this image, Second Lieutenant John Edwin Greer wears straps "one and three-- eighths wide by four inches long, bordered with an embroidery of gold one-fourth of an inch wide." An ordnance officer, Greer's straps are dark blue and, because he is a second lieutenant, devoid of rank insignia.

His buttons are distinctive, bearing a special design worn by ordnance department officers. Also note that he is wearing a black cravat or tie, an article of clothing permitted by regulations, and the dark blue trousers of a staff officer.

A Pennsylvanian, Greer was graduated from West Point in 1867 and became a first lieutenant in 1874, a captain in 1878, a major in 1894, and a lieutenant colonel in 1902, passing away while on active duty as in 1907. Thomas H. Neill Draped across the front and around the back of the dress coat worn by Lieutenant Colonel Thomas Hewson Neill, 6th U.S. Cavalry, is a gold cord with attached tassels and disc aiguilettes, or "waffles" as they are sometimes known. Normally worn attached to the dress helmet, this fanciful cording could be detached from the helmet and continued to be worn as Neill does. Note also his shoulder knots, the pads of which are yellow for cavalry, with silver oak leaves on the ends, showing his rank to be that of lieutenant colonel.

Neill graduated from West Point in 1847, being a captain in 1857. Named colonel of the 23rd Pennsylvania Infantry in February 1862, he was appointed a brigadier general of volunteers in November 1862. He was not reappointed in the volunteer service, being assigned as major in the 11th Infantry in August 1863, in which he spent the rest of the Civil War. He was assigned to the 6th Cavalry as a lieutenant colonel in 1870, becoming colonel of the 8th cavalry in 1879. He retired in 1883 and died three years later.

Hugh Roberts

Second Lieutenant Hugh A. Roberts, 8th U.S. Cavalry, in full dress uniform. A member of the West Point Class of 1899, Roberts wears a dress coat complete with cords. He holds a dress helmet resplendent with lemon yellow horsehair plume and wears leather gauntlets.

Edward H. Totten

First Lieutenant Edward H. Totten shows the elements of the 1872 dress uniform: shoulder knots, light blue trousers with scarlet stripe, dress cap with scarlet plume, sword belt and plate, white berlin gloves, and 1860 staff and field officer's sword. Totten, USMA, 1865, 1 st U.S. Artillery, was killed accidently in 1878.