Traditional Acton Minutemen Parade Uniform

Traditional Acton Minutemen Parade Uniform

In Charlie Husbands’ book History of the Acton Minutemen and Militia Companies, Mr. Husbands describes the decision process in the selection of a uniform for the Acton Minutemen:

II Outfitting the Troops

A major project during 1964 was the development of a complete uniform for the troops. Considerable discussion was held to determine if the members of the company should outfit themselves with varying types of authentic colonial clothing or with a standard uniform. The latter course was taken and a uniform was designed for the Acton Company. A professional tailor was commissioned to produce and fit the uniforms. The uniform was developed based on clothing appearing on the Minuteman statue at the Old, North Bridge in Concord. The uniform consisted of a black tricorn hat with a white cockade, a rust colored sleeveless waistcoat, white shirts with a white jabeau, black knickers type trousers, canvas spatter-dashers, and black shoes.

This, as well as the tradition of four decades of past commanders’ and members’ uniforms, provides us our guide for today’s Acton Minutemen parade uniform. The uniform remains virtually unchanged 40 plus years later with the sole exception of a gold trimmed Tricorn hat rather than a white trimmed version.

The following pages describe the Parade Uniform of the Acton Minutemen and indicate sources for each item as well as an alternate selection when it is appropriate. A list of clothing and equipment providers and additional information is available on our Sutlers page, and many pictures of our members in the parade uniform may be seen on our photos pages.

In addition to the oral history provided by current Acton Minutemen members, details on this web site, and this document, there is a wealth of information in the 1776 Pattern Book and Packet Books 1, 2, and 3. These contain history, patterns, and information not readily found elsewhere. I have included the book information in the appendix.

Just as a note –the Acton Minutemen parade uniform celebrates over 40 years of stylized representation of the pride of the Acton Minutemen Company in many community activities in Massachusetts and beyond. If you are also interested in reenactment – so are we - but that is not the topic of this document. We utilize a separate set of clothing for those events that require more authenticity. We call that outfit the “civilian clothing kit.”

2006 Acton Minutemen Parade Uniform and Sources of Articles

Ed Carell – Acton Minuteman

The Acton Minutemen Parade Uniform

Tricorn Hat:

The Acton Minutemen on parade wear a Black Felt Tricorn (Tri Cornered) hat designed for civilian wear in 1775. The hat is trimmed in Yellow felt and has on it a white cockade and Acton insignia.

The hat for enlisted men has several elements that must be present.

1)  The White Cockade – This is a collection of white dove like feathers placed either on the inside or outside of the right hand leaf of the Tricorn and held in place by a Brass 5/8” to 1” domed or flat brass button. The arrangement is at the apex of the leaf and sewn through the leaf and through the hat in order to secure the leaf to the hat. Our Past Commander – Bob Werner – has traditionally supplied these cockades. If he is not available see any officer for instruction of the White Cockade construction. Packages of feathers are available at A.C. Moore, FabricPlace, and other craft or fabric stores, and buttons may be procured from local fabric shops on on-line at Jas Townsend, G. Gedney Godwin or a variety of other on-line sites. The Acton Minutemen marched into battle to the ancient tune of The White Cockade, so from a traditional standpoint, this aspect of the uniform is essential for all Acton Minutemen.

2)  The ACTON Insignia is a Pin – Bar Style Insignia ½ inch high and Gold in color and worn on the right hand leaf of the Tricorn hat centered below the White Cockade. A current source for this insignia is presently being sought.

A note on the use of colored Ribbon Style Circular Cockades:

The Acton Minutemen distinguish RANK within the company simply by the use of a colored ribbon styled circular cockade worn centered on the left leaf of the Tricorn held in place with a 1” domed or flat brass button. The color indicates rank, Davis Blues Membership, and past commanders within the company.

Past Commander Bob Werner Major Crosby at the North Bridge –

White Cockade - Rank indicated by

Feathers under the right leaf Gold Cockade on Left of hat

Shirt:

The shirt worn on parade is a white (NOT NATURAL) cotton shirt traditional to 1775. They have billowing sleeves with buttons at the wrist, are not form fitting, and have a single button at the neck. Shirts are large so speak to an officer prior to buying one and we can bring a few of different sizes to our meeting for fitting. The shirts are available from a number of on-line stores such as Jas. Townsend, G. Gedney Godwin, sutlers at events, and from local tailors if you prefer to have one made for you. Just ask one of us if that is the case. If you would like to make your own, a pattern is available on J.P. Ryan’s web site – www.jpryan.com or a very simple pattern is on page 6 of “Sketch Book 76”.

Rust Colored Waistcoat:

The trademark look of the Acton Minutemen is the Rust Colored Waistcoat. As members retire from the company some turn in their equipment so we may have a few of these available in various sizes for a new member. If one is not available, we will supply the “Acton rust” fabric to you to have one made. The pattern is available on J.P. Ryan’s web site - www.jpryan.com. Please note that we use the 1750 version waistcoat – long in the front covering the waist and not the waist length version. See below.

Bud Reed – Acton Minuteman

(a)  Name Plate – this is a traditional black nameplate with white letters beveled in white around the edge. It was a standard item on the modern US Army’s dress green uniform and worn on short sleeved shirts during the summer. Source - available at most trophy and awards stores, as well as on-line.

(b)  AMM Unit Badge – this appears to be fashioned after the Army’s Rifle Expert badge This badge also contains our unit’s name – Acton Minutemen below the musket. Source currently not available, but we are working on it.

(c)  Isaac Davis Trail Badge – this badge is awarded to those who march the entire trail in the early morning of Aril 19th. Small insignia are placed on the badge to indicate the number of years people have marched. Past Commander Earl Nadeau has these small pins indicating 40-plus years of marching the trail. This badge must be earned.

Neck Stock / Jabeau:

The neck stock is a simple (or frilled) white cotton or linen bib like article. It covers the open neck below the single button of the white shirt and is worn tied around the neck and over the waistcoat. These can be purchased from Jas. Townsend or G. Gedney Godwin as well as many other sites. I found a wonderful one at the Sudbury Faire at a Sutler shop. The more adventuresome could make one if you had skill with a sewing machine. See examples below.

Commander Colonel St. Lawrence Past Commander

Burgundy Cockade indicating Rank Earl Nadeau

Parade Pants:

For parading a pair of black flat front, linen or cotton pants works great. For reenactment you will need a pair of period correct fall front breeches and those can be worn parading as well. We will not go into breeches at the moment. The pants legs are covered with spatter dashers – this is officially the uniform but white socks are acceptable if spatter dashers are not available. The pants will need to be cut below the knee since they will not fit into the socks properly (more info on socks in the spatter dasher section) If you don’t have an old pair of black pants watch for sales at Kohls or Target and get the basic Docker pants for about $20. As always, officers or past commanders will assist in getting the look right for parade.

Spatter Dashers – Leggings – Half Gaiters:

Spatter dashers (a.k.a. Leggings or Half Gaiters) are the official dress of the Acton Minutemen parade uniform. These are mid calf high, white canvas covers, that button on the side and wrap around the bottom of the shoe. Originally they were worn to save clothing against remarkably bad road conditions (if there were even roads to where you were going). Mud, sticks, brambles and rocks would assault your legs and clothes above the ankle and these articles of clothing offered some protection to both clothes and legs. For a simple pattern see page 24 of “Sketch Book 76”.

To be honest, white mid calf (below the knee) spatter dashers are almost impossible to find and we have lost a source of supply. The ones we have, have been on hand since 1963 are pretty much worn out. We are on the look out for a new supplier.

Until we find a reasonable supplier for this article of our parade uniform, we are allowing the wearing of white, over the knee, cotton, linen or wool socks. Your pants will need to be modified to work with the socks but that an easy procedure. You can get these very long, high socks at athletic supply stores (like Dick’s or Sports Authority) but the real thing is available at Jas Townsend, G. Gedney Godwin, sutlers etc… These socks are offered in wool or cotton and in two weights and many colors. They are over the knee and held in place with gaiters, also available from these sources. In parade we wear bright white. Since our parade season is long and spans early spring to winter you may want to have two pairs of light weight socks and one heavy pair. They will cost you about $8 - $10 per pair from any source.

Parade Shoes:

As you can see above we wear simple black shoes for parade. They can be buckled, tied or tied worn with a buckle over the ties. Since some of our parades are miles long, and we may be standing for hours, it is most important that they are comfortable! Other shoe types:

The source for tied shoes is obvious – I go to the Rockport outlet in Marlborough and get great, very comfortable shoes for less than $40. If you want to try authentic early Revolutionary War shoes they are out there and many of us wear them for marching and re enactment. Fitting the shoes with a buckle is tricky and you should pick your buckles based upon your persona, if you have one, or your taste. Fitting the buckle to the shoes is best described on page 30 of
The Packet III or page 21 of Sketch Book 76 and on line. If you decide on the authentic route give one of us who has these shoes a call and we can help.

Equipment:

Major Crosby at the North Bridge

In Acton Minuteman Parade Dress

(a)  Whisk and Pick – this is a brush and a thin piece of metal held on opposite sides of either a link or eyelet chain. Their purpose is to clean out the pan of your flintlock after firing (the Whisk) and make sure the touchhole is unobstructed (the Pick). The chain of the Whisk and Pick is attached at the midpoint of the chain to the strap of the cartridge box so that you can reach down with one hand and select the tool you need.

(b)  Cartridge Box – well, firstly, what exactly is a cartridge? A flintlock requires powder for the barrel to act as an accelerant for the ball, a ball or sabot to act as the projectile, paper to act as a seal around the ball and powder in the pan to act as the ignition device. You could carry all these things in a powder horn, ball pouch and paper or cloth in your pouch. By 1775 people were rolling the powder and ball into a paper tube that could be used to prime, load and fire the flintlock from this one device know as a cartridge. A minuteman, militiaman or regular needed these cartridges to fire their muskets since by that time most were not carrying the individual components. You carried these cartridges in a Cartridge Box that either fit on a leather belt you wore or was slung over the shoulder by way of a white linen or leather strap. We use the white strap version and new minutemen carry black cartridge boxes. What is most important is that the cartridge box allows for at least 24 cartridges. In a parade we may fire many, many times and you will need the capacity. Secondarily, it is important that the strap be adjustable so that it fits comfortably on your hip for marching (reached easily with one hand to extract a cartridge). After that, it is your call. I use an American version 25 cartridge capacity box with a removable wooded cartridge holder. I love the style and it has been one of my most liked items but there are many versions. The sites I have mentioned previously have a wonderful assortment of cartridge boxes. For further information see page 30 of The Packet or pages 32 and 33 in Sketch Book 76.