Part Two: THE GEORGIA MILITARY INSTITUTE UNIFORM

The Georgia Military Institute's uniform was closely patterned after that of the United States Military Academy. G. M. I. cadets were always required to wear their uniform in public. Keeping themselves properly clothed was a constant struggle and expense. Cadet Charles B. Lin frequently received letters from his mother and sisters regarding clothing. Articles of clothing were mentioned in over 12 surviving letters out of 42 (72 letters are now in the collection and 30 precede his admission) now housed at the Atlanta History Center. Besides sending money for clothing, Lin's sisters and mother made clothing or paid to have it made for him. Their letters mention caps, jackets, shirts, pants, knitted gloves, shoes, and other items. In one letter dated November 4, 1862, Cadet Lin's mother Amanda M. Lin wrote... "I am just finishing your four shirts. I will send them the first chance and if I don't get a chance to get your pants, they ask five dollars a_____ _____. You had better get the suit for $26.00 that Mr. Kelly promised you. I have got some wool and am going to have you a suit made but cannot have it done until Christmas. You must not spend the money I sent you for to get clothes unless you are obliged to do it."

The Georgia Military Institute's uniform is described under the heading of "Commissary, Clothing Furniture, etc." in a 22-page booklet, published in 1856 entitled, The Official Register of the Officers and Cadets of the Georgia Military Institute. (All four remaining registers from 1853, 1856, 1858 and 1863 are virtually identical in their description of the uniform and requirements.)

The following details are set forth in the Official Register.

The Uniform Coatee (sic): One uniform coatee, grey cloth single breasted, three rows of eight gilt convex buttons, impressed with the State of Georgia, and button-holes of black silk cord in herring-bone form, with a festoon turned at the back end; a standing collar, trimmed with black silk lace to fit the neck, and hook in front; the cuffs four inches wide; the button of the vest and hip buttons to range; on the collar one blind button-hole of cord, formed like that of the breast, four inches long, with a button on each side; cord holes in the like form to proceed from three buttons placed lengthwise on the skirts, with three buttons down the plaits; the cuffs to be indented with three small gilt buttons and cord holes likewise on each sleeve, corresponding with the indertation (sic) on the cuff, in the center of which is to be inserted the lower button.

Surtout: One grey surtout coat, of such pattern as shall be prescribed by the Superintendent.

Vest: One grey cloth vest for winter, single breasted, flat gilt buttons, trimmed with black silk lace, and standing collar. Two white vests for summer.

Pantaloons: Two pairs of grey cloth pantaloons for winter, with a black cloth stripe, one and a half inches wide down the outer seem. Eight pairs of white pantaloons for summer.

Fatigue Dress: One fatigue jacket for winter, of grey cloth, with standing collar, plain, single breasted, with one (three) rows of nine buttons impressed with the arms of Georgia. Three fatigue jackets for summer, of unbleached Russian drilling, single breasted, with a standing collar.

Caps, Sicks &c: One dress cap, made according to pattern. One forage cap, made of blue cloth, with oil-silk cover, and black leather visor. One black bombazine stock: Three sets of white belts two inches wide.

Sales Prohibited: Every cadet is forbidden to sell, or otherwise dispose of his clothing, books or any article which he may have purchased for his own use, without permission.

In addition to the uniform, each applicant for admission into the Institute will be required to bring with him, or provide at the time of his admission, the following articles: they are described in the Official Register and are as follows:

8 pairs of white pantaloons

2 pairs of high-quartered shoes

2 pairs of white Berlin gloves

7 shirts

4 pocket handkerchiefs

6 towels

1 cloth bag

1 clothes brush

1 trunk

1 hair brush

1 tooth brush

1 comb

1 mattrass (sic), single width

1 mattrass (sic) cover and bed strap

1 pillow

2 pillow cases

2 pair of sheets

2 pair blankets

1 pair shoe brushes

1 iron bedstand

In addition to the above articles, each Cadet must keep himself supplied at all times with the following, the cost of which, as the Commissary is here stated: (prices taken from the 1858 Official Register)

1 Uniform coatee of grey cloth- $16.00

1 Uniform overcoat of grey cloth- $16.00

2 pair Uniform pants of grey cloth, each-$8.00

1 fatigue jacket of grey cloth- $10.00

2 fatigue jackets of unbleached drilling, each- $2.25

1 dress cap- $4.50

1 forage cap- $1.55

1 bombazine stock- 45 cents

2 sets white belts-$1.00

1 set belt plates- 81 1/4 cents

Each cadet will unite with his room mates in purchasing for their common use, one pine table, one looking-glass, one foot tub, one tin wash pan, one bucket, one dipper, one axe, and one broom.