Shoulder-Belt and Waist-Belt Plates

Figure 30

This specimen is known only in die samples. Because of its similarity in design to the 1814 infantryplates, it cannot be dated later than 1825. Since no naval uniformed Militia units are known for the period 1815-1825, and since the plate is obviously not a device of the regular Navy, it must be assigned to the Marine Corps. In studying this plate, however, we must recognize the possibility that the maker may have been designing and sinking dies in the hope of having a sample accepted and approved for issue rather than actually executing a contract. The plate is struck in rectangular brass, and the corners are marked for clipping. The design, within a wide oval with raised edge, consists of an eagle above a trophy of arms, flags, and a shield. The right talon grasps a fluke of a fouled anchor, and the left talon holds the pike of a stand of colors. Reproductions of this die strike were made prior to its acquisition by the National Museum, and specimens outside the national collections should be considered with caution.

¶ The 1821 uniform regulations were significant in several respects: cap plates were eliminated as distinctive insignia of the various arms; the color of certain items of dress and equipment remained the sole distinction; and the rules regarding nonregulation dress were more precisely stated than before. The cap plates were replaced by eagles, measuring 3 inches between wing tips, and the number of the regiment was cut in the shield. Regulations tersely stated that "all articles of uniform or equipment, more or less, than those prescribed, or in any manner differing from them, are prohibited."[72]General and staff officers were to wear black sword belts with "yellow plates"; artillery officers were to wear white waist belts with a yellow oval plate 1-1/2 inches wide and with an eagle in the center; infantry officers were to wear a similar plate that was white instead of yellow. Cockade eagles forchapeau de braswere to be gold and measure 1-1/2 inches between wing tips. Since enlisted men were no longer authorized to wear swords, they had no waist belts.

USNM 66603-M. Figure 31.

Figure 31

Although several "yellow" eagles that can be attributed to the 1821-1832 period are known, this brass specimen on the bell-crowned cap is the only one known to the authors that has the prescribed regimental number cut out of the shield. The button on the pompon rosette—which appears to be definitely original to the cap, as does the eagle—carries the artillery "A," thus the assignment to that branch ofthe service. The eagle bears a close similarity to the eagles on the 1812 and 1814 infantry cap plates and the 1807 Marine Corps cap plate, and is possibly the work of the same designer.

USNM 60364-M (SK-120). Figure 32.

Figure 32

Early in 1822, the Secretary of War, acting on a suggestion of Callendar Irvine, ordered that all metal equipment of the infantry be of "white metal" in keeping with its pompons, tassels, and lace.[73]This specimen, struck in copper and silvered, is believed to have been issued as a result of that order.

¶ The 1821 regulations stated that cockade eagles should measure 1-1/2 inches between wing tips. In 1832 this wingspread was increased to 2-1/2 inches. Thus, specimens of a relatively uniform pattern and measuring approximately 1-1/2 inches in wingspread will be considered as of the Regular Army, 1821-1832. Similarly, those of a relatively uniform pattern and measuring approximately 2-1/2 inches in wingspread are dated 1832-1851.

USNM 60371-M (S-K 127). Figure 33.

Figure 33

This eagle, struck in brass, has wings extended, head to the right, federal shield on breast with no stars, olive branch in right talon, and three arrows in left talon.

USNM 60372-M (S-K 128). Not illustrated.

This eagle is struck from the same die as the preceding specimen, but it is in white metal rather than brass.

USNM 60367-M (S-K 123). Figure 34.

Figure 34

Of silver on copper, this eagle is similar to the two preceding specimens, but is struck from a variant die. It possibly was worn by the Militia.

USNM 60373-M (S-K 130). Figure 35.

Figure 35

This specimen is very similar to those above, but it has 13 stars in the shield on the eagle's breast.

¶ Despite the fact that it was found attached to a shako of distinct Militia origin, the cap plate shown in figure 36 is believed to be that prescribed for the cadets of the Military Academy in the 1821 uniform regulations and described as "yellow plate, diamond shape." The letters "U S M A" in the angles of the diamond, the word "CADET" at the top of the oval, what appears to be the designation "W POINT" at the left top of the map, and the tools of instruction (so similar to those embellishing the cadet diploma,although totally different in rendering), make it difficult to assign this plate to any source other than the Academy. It is possible, of course, that this was a manufacturer's sample which was never actually adopted for wear at West Point. The apparent maker's name, "CASAD," at the bottom of the oval, does not appear in the city directories of any of the larger manufacturing centers of the period.

Figure 36.—Specimen in West Point Museum, West Point, New York.

USNM 60365-M (S-K 121). Figure 37.

Figure 37

Despite the facts that there was no change in cap insignia authorized in the 1832 uniform regulations and that this specimen is similar in most respects tothe 1821 eagle, its refinement of design and manufacture indicates that it possibly belongs to the period of the 1830's and 1840's. It is struck in thin brass and has three plain wire fasteners soldered to the reverse.

USNM 60366-M (S-K 122). Not illustrated.

Although similar to the preceding plate, this specimen measures 3-1/4 by 2-1/4 inches, is struck from a different die, and has a much wider breast shield. Of somewhat heavier brass than most such similar eagles and exhibiting a well-developed patina, it may have been an officer's device.

USNM 60276-M (S-K 34). Figure 38.

Figure 38

When the dragoons returned to the Army in 1833, their cap device was described as "a gilt star, silver eagle ... the star to be worn in front."[74]An 8-pointed, sunburst-type star, this plate is struck in brass and has a superimposed eagle that is struck in brass and silvered. The eagle is basically the Napoleonic type adopted by the British after the Battle of Waterloo and altered by omitting the lightning in the talons and adding a wreath to the breast. Plain wire fasteners are soldered to the back.

¶ In 1834, possibly as a result of the newly organized dragoons receiving distinctive branch insignia, the infantry and artillery once again were authorized devices on the dress cap designating their particular arm. The gilt eagle was retained. Below the eagle was an open horn with cords and tassels in silver for infantry, and cross cannons in "gilt" for artillery. The number of the regiment was added over the cannon or within the curve of the horn. These devices remained in use until the change in headgear in 1851.

USNM 62055-M, 62056-M (SK-1808, 1809). Figure 39.

Figure 39

This eagle is similar to the 1821 pattern, although somewhat more compact in design. It is struck in brass, has wings upraised, head to the right, shield on breast, olive branch in right talon, and three arrows in left talon. The open horn, struck in brass and silvered, is suspended, with bell to the right, by four twisted cords tied in a 3-leaf-clover knot; the tassels on the four cord-ends hang below.

USNM 60426-M (S-K 182). Figure 40.

Figure 40

This is the "gilt ... cross cannons" device prescribed for artillery in the 1834 regulations. Struck in sheet brass of medium thickness, the superimposed cannon has trunnions and dolphins.

USNM 604967-M (S-K 1111). Figure 41.

Figure 41

Although uniform regulations for the period of the 1830's and 1840's make no mention of a distinctive device for the dragoon forage cap, photographs in the National Archives show that officers' caps, at least, carried a 6-pointed star, apparently gold-embroidered.[75]This specimen is believed to be such a star. Made of gold bullion and with rather large sequins sewed onto a heavy paper background, the star is mounted on dark blue wool. Thepoints of the star are extended with gold embroidery on the cloth.

USNM 604529 (S-K 676) Figure 42.

Figure 42

In 1839 the cadets at the Military Academy discarded the bell-crowned caps they had worn since 1821 and wore a cylindrical black shako similar to that worn by the Regular artillery and infantry. Theartillery gilt eagle and crossed cannon replaced the diamond-shaped plate on the front. In 1842-1843 the crossed cannon were replaced by the engineer castle as more in keeping with the original mission of the Academy and the general orientation of its curriculum.

Shortly after the beginning of hostilities with Mexico in 1846, the Congress authorized the enlistment of a company of "engineer soldiers" that was designated the Company of Sappers, Miners, and Pontoniers. These were the first enlisted men authorized the Corps of Engineers since the period of the War of 1812. The headgear for these men was prescribed as "Schako—same pattern as that of the artillery, bearing a yellow eagle over a castle like that worn by the Cadets."[76]

Struck in thin to medium brass, this plate is the familiar turreted castle of the Corps of Engineers so well known today. It was worn below the eagle.

¶ To complete the branches of the Regular Establishment during the Mexican War period, the Regiment of Voltigeurs and Foot Riflemen must be mentioned, although they were apparently without any distinctive branch insignia.

The regiment was constituted on February 11, 1847, and its uniform[77]was prescribed 9 days later in the War Department's General Order No. 7. However, the regiment was issued infantry woolen jackets and trousers and never received what little gray issue clothing was sent to them in Mexico almost a year later. Uniform trimmings were to be as for the infantry, with the substitution of the letter "v" where appropriate. So far as presently known, this substitution affected only the button pattern—an appropriate letter "v" on the shield centered on the eagle's breast.

The 1851 uniform regulations radically changed almost every item of the Army's dress. Most of the distinctive devices were also altered, although more in size and composition than general design. Some devices were completely eliminated. While officers retained insignia of their arm or branch on their hats, enlisted personnel, with the exception of those of engineers and ordnance, had only the letter of their company, their particular arm being designated by the color of collars, cuffs, bands on hats, pompons, epaulets, chevrons, and the like. A newly designed sword or waist-belt plate was prescribed for all personnel. All items of uniform and insignia authorized in 1851 were included in an illustrated edition of the Regulations for the Uniform and Dress of the Army of the United States, June 1851, published by William H. Horstmann and Sons, well-known uniform and insignia dealers in Philadelphia.[78]

USNM 604853 (S-K 998). Figure 43.

Figure 43

Worn attached to the base of the pompon by all enlisted personnel, this brass eagle, similar in general design to that worn on the shako in the 1830's, stands with wings upraised, olive branch in right talon, three arrows in left talon, and a scroll, with national motto, in beak. Above are stars, clouds, and bursts of sun rays. Officers wore an eagle of similar design of gold embroidery on cloth.

USNM 604862 (S-K 1007). Figure 44.

Figure 44

This specimen, in accord with regulations, is on dark blue cloth and consists of a gold-embroidered wreath encircling Old English letters "U.S." in silver bullion. Embroidered insignia of this period were all made by hand, and they varied considerably in both detail and size. During the 1861-1865 period the same design was made about half this size for wear on officers' forage caps, and the device appeared in variant forms. One example is known where the numeral "15" is embroidered over the letters "U.S.";[79]and Miller'sPhotographic History of the Civil Warincludes several photos of general officers whose wreath insignia on the forage cap substitute small rank insignia stars for the letters.

USNM 300720. Figure 45.

Figure 45

On dark blue cloth, this device comprises a gold-embroidered wreath of laurel and palm encircling a turreted castle in silver metal as prescribed in regulations.Other examples are known with the castle embroidered.

USNM 604872 (S-K 1017). Figure 46.

Figure 46

This specimen adheres almost exactly to the 1851 regulations, but it lacks the number of the regiment as called for. The number was a separate insignia embroidered above the cannon. The cannon are of gold embroidery. The device was also made in gold metal imitation-embroidery in several variant designs.

USNM 604888 (S-K 1033). Figure 47.

Figure 47

On dark blue cloth, this device is the well-known looped horn in gold embroidery with three cords and tassels. The regimental number "4," in silver bullion, lies within the loop of the horn. This insignia is also common in metal imitation-embroidery.

USNM 604520 (S-K 667). Figure 48.

Figure 48

Struck in brass, this device was worn on the caps and coat collars of ordnance enlisted personnel. Although the shell and flame insignia appears in anumber of variations of design, this specimen conforms exactly to the regulations of 1851 as published by Horstmann.

USNM 61618. Figure 49.

Figure 49

The 1851 uniform regulations called for a "castle of yellow metal one and five-eighths inches by one and one-fourth inches high" on both the coat collar and the hat of "Engineer Soldiers." This specimen, struck in brass, conforms exactly to the descriptions and drawing in the Horstmann publication of the regulations.

USNM 604879 (S-K 1024). Figure 50.

Figure 50

Comprising crossed sabers of gold, with edges upward, this insignia is similar to the well-known device worn by the Regular cavalry as late as 1953.

¶ In 1846 the Regiment of Mounted Riflemen was organized to consolidate the northern route to the Pacific by establishing and manning a series of posts along the Oregon Trail.[80]The outbreak of the War with Mexico postponed this mission and the unit was diverted to the theater of operations. Shortly after the regiment was constituted it was authorizedto wear a forage cap device prescribed as "a gold embroidered spread eagle, with the letter R in silver, on the shield."[81]No surviving specimen of this insignia is known, and there seems some doubt that it was ever actually manufactured.[82]

USNM 604854 (SK 999). Figure 51.

Figure 51

In 1850 the regiment was given a "trumpet" hat device. Officers were to wear "a trumpet, perpendicular, embroidered in gold, with the number of the regiment, in silver, within the bend."[83]This trumpet is also known in metal imitation-embroidery. The prescribed regimental number, which is illustrated in the Horstmann publication of the regulations (pl. 15), is not included on the device, probably because there was but one such unit in the Regular Establishment.

USNM 62053-M (SK-1806). Figure 52.

Figure 52

The same general order that gave rifle officers a gold-embroidered trumpet prescribed for enlisted men a similar device to be of "yellow metal." This insignia lasted but one year for the men in the ranks, being unmentioned in the 1851 regulations.

Oval shoulder-belt plates were worn by American officers during the War of the Revolution, but no extant specimens are known. Highly ornamented or engraved officers' plates for the period after 1790 are in several collections (fig.53) and others are illustrated in contemporary portraits (fig.54). Just what year shoulder-belt plates were issued to enlisted personnel is unknown, but their use appears to have been well established by 1812. The uniform regulations for that year specified swords for sergeants of infantry to be "worn with a white cross belt 3-1/2 inches wide," but nothing was said about a device on the belt.[84]

Figure 53.—Specimen in Campbell collection.

Normally, brass or "yellow metal" plates were authorized for the artillery and silvered or "white metal" for the infantry and dragoons, as consonant with the rest of their trimmings. In actuality, however, white-metal shoulder-belt plates do not seem to have been issued to the infantry prior to 1814, and brass ones were still being issued in 1815.[85]Most of these plates were plain oval, although a few are known that were struck with devices similar to those on cap plates; and at least one rectangular cap plate, fitted with the two studs and hook on the reverse normal to shoulder-belt plates, has been found. It seems probable that these were officers' plates. Oval brass plates have been found that are identical in size and construction to the plain ones but with the letters "U.S." embossed on them; however, these are difficult to date.

Figure 54.—Portrait in collection of The Filson Club, Louisville, Kentucky.

It is extremely doubtful that waist-belt plates were issued to enlisted personnel of foot units during this period. In 1808 enlisted dragoons were authorized a waist-belt plate of tinned brass and, as far as known, perfectly plain.[86]

The 1812 regulations prescribed for the light dragoons a "buff leather waist belt, white plate in front with eagle in relief," and there is the possibility that the light artillery had such. In actuality, there was no call for a waist belt where a shoulder belt was authorized. Neither civilian trousers nor the few surviving military "pantaloons" of the period are fitted with belt loops, trousers being held up either by suspenders or by being buttoned directly to the shirt or waistcoat. No example of the dragoon plate has been found. However, a rather tantalizing possibility exists—a fragment of a pewter belt plate (fig.55) was excavated at Sackets Harbor, New York, where the light dragoons are known to have served. The 1816 regulations specified for artillerymen "waist belts of white leather two inches wide, yellow oval plate of the same width." It is not made clear, however, whether this belt and plate was forofficers only or for all ranks. The unusually striking oval specimen (fig.56) may be this plate, but its ornateness indicates that this particular design was for officers only.

Figure 55.—Specimen in Campbell collection.

Figure 56.—Specimen in Campbell collection.

USNM 12804. Figure 57.

Figure 57

This plate was worn by Peter Gansevoort sometime during his military career, probably after 1790. Gansevoort, between 1775 and his death in 1812, was successively major, lieutenant colonel, colonel, and brigadier general of New York State Militia and brigadier general U.S. Army (1809-1812). Although distinctly Militia in design, the specimen is included here as an example of the wide variety of such devices worn by officers of the 1800-1821 period.

This plate is octagonal, slightly convex, and has beveled edges. The design is hand engraved on copper, and the whole is gold plated. Within an engraved border is the eagle-on-half-globe device of New York State. Two studs and a hook soldered to the reverse are not believed to be original.

USNM 604313 (S-K 469). Figure 58.

Figure 58

This rectangular, slightly convex plate of silver on copper has beveled edges and a small slot in the center for the attachment of an ornament. The ornament is missing, although it can be surmised that it was an eagle. The reverse is fitted with two studs and a hook and bears the hallmark of "W. Pinchin, Philada." William Pinchin is listed in the Philadelphia directory for 1809 as a silversmith at 326 Sassafras Street. The 1810 directory lists only "Widow of," but another William Pinchin (probably the son) appears in the 1820's.

USNM 60452-M (S-K 208). Figure 59.

Figure 59

The design of this rectangular plate, struck in rather heavy brass, is the same as that offered as the1814-pattern cap plate for the light artillery, although it is the product of a different and somewhat more crudely sunk die. The piece is dominated by an eagle with wings upraised, a shield on its breast, three arrows in its right talon, and an olive branch in its left talon. Crossed cannon are in the foreground, and there is a pile of six cannon balls in the lower right corner. The whole is superimposed on a trophy of colors and bayoneted muskets. Above is a 5-pointed "star of stars" made up of 20 5-pointed stars.

USNM 60448-M (S-K 204). Figure 60.

Figure 60

The rectangular plate is struck in brass on a die of the same design as that used in making the 1814 Artillery Corps cap plate, type I (p. 18). Before the strike was made, a piece of thin sheet iron, slightly narrower than the finished product, was applied to the reverse of the brass. After the strike, which shows through clearly on the iron, the ends of this applied metal were bent inward into tongues for attachments to the belt, and the remainder of the back was filled with pewter. The edges of the obverse were then beveled to finish the product. It seems very probable that plates such as this were produced for sale to officers.

USNM 60247 (S-K 5). Figure 61.

Figure 61

This is a companion piece to the Artillery Corps waist-belt plate described above. It was struck in brass from the die of the 1814 Artillery Corps cap plate, type I, again with a thin sheet of iron applied to the reverse before the strike. There is no pewter filling; the beveled edges of the piece together with the adhesive effect of the strike—which shows through very clearly—holds on the back. The plate is fitted with two simple bent-wire fasteners for attachment, indicating that it was intended for ornamental use only. Like its waist-belt plate counterpart, this specimen must be considered an officer's device.

USNM 60248-M (S-K 6). Figure 62.

Figure 62

This specimen is of the same design as the 1814 Infantry cap plate, type I (p. 15). It is oval, with raised edge. Within the oval is an eagle with an olive branch in its beak, three arrows in its right talon, and thunder bolts and lightning in its left talon. Below is a trophy of stacked muskets, drum, flag, and shield. The plate is silver on copper, with sheet-iron backing and bent-wire fasteners. As in the case of the Artillery Corps plate, just preceding, this must be considered an officer's plate. A similar oval plate bearing the design of the 1812 dragoon cap plate, and of similar construction, is known.

USNM 66478-M. Figures 63, 64.

Figure 63

Figure 64

Excavated on the site of Smith's Cantonment at Sackets Harbor, New York, this plate is interesting in that it differs in both construction and method of attachment from similar plates of the same period in the national collections. Rather than being struck in thin brass with a backing and fasteners applied to the reverse, this specimen is cast in brass and the edges rather unevenly beveled, with two studs and a narrow tongue for attachment cast integrally with the plate and with hexagonal heads forced over the ends of the studs. This means of attachment, which indicates that the plate was intended to be utilitarian as well as merely ornamental, is similar to that on British plates of the period between the Revolution and the War of 1812. The plate could have been worn by either infantry or artillery, for both were issued brass plates during this period,[87]however, it is more probable that it was worn by the infantry, since the majority of the artillery in the Sackets Harbor area were stationed nearby at either Fort Pike or Fort Tomkins.

USNM 604311 (S-K 467). Figure 65.

Figure 65

The plain, oval, slightly convex plate of brass has a raised edge. The face is lapped over a piece of sheet-iron backing. On the reverse is soldered an early form of bent-wire fasteners. British shoulder-belt plates of the Revolutionary period normally had fasteners cast as integral parts of the plate proper.

USNM 604312 (S-K 468). Not illustrated.

This plate is identical to the one described immediately above except that it is struck in copper and the surface is silvered.

USNM 604314 (S-K 470). Not illustrated.

This plate, struck from solid brass, has a slightly beveled edge and bent-wire fasteners. It is slightly convex. Since it is smaller than the two preceding plates, it could have been designed for the Militia.

USNM 60399-M (S-K 155). Figure 66.

Figure 66

The two specimens of this plate in the national collections are undocumented. Similar in size and construction to the plain oval brass and silvered plates, it has the raised letters "U.S.," three-fourths inch high in the center. Definitely not later than 1832, it may well have been issued soon after the end of the War of 1812. It is considered a Regular Army item since the Militia did not use the designation "U.S." at this early period. In this latter connection it is interesting to note that an example of the 1812 Infantry cap plate, type II, with the letters "US" crudely stamped out, is known attached to a cap of distinct Militia origin.

USNM 38212. Figure 67.

Figure 67

After the War of 1812, the State of New York presented swords to several prominent officers of the Army and Navy who had distinguished themselves in actions within New York or near its borders. One of these swords (USNM 10294)[88]and an unusually fine gold embroidered belt (USNM 33097) with this gold belt buckle were presented to Maj. Gen. Jacob Brown.

Chased in very fine gold, the buckle is considered by experts in the goldsmithing and silversmithing fields to be one of the outstanding pieces of American craftsmanship of its kind.[89]The central motif is the New York State eagle-on-half-globe device on a wreath of the colors. The head of the eagle is very similar to that on the cap plates of the 1807 Marine Corps, 1812 infantry, and 1814 Artillery Corps. The border is of a rose pattern distinctly American in feeling, and in each corner within the border areacanthus leaves in unusually delicate Viennese baroque design.

The maker of this buckle is unknown, but since it is reasonably certain that the hilt of the sword was designed by Moritz Furst (see p.12), it is possible that the design of the buckle is his also, especially in view of the Viennese touch in the acanthus leaves, his training at the mint in Vienna, and the probability that he designed the 1812 infantry cap plate.

¶ Although the 1821 regulations were very specific about the prohibition of nonregulation items of uniform and equipment, they were somewhat vague regarding specifications. General staff and engineer officers were to wear black belts with a "yellow plate," artillery "yellow oval plates ... with an eagle in the center," and infantry the same but "white" instead of yellow.[90]No oval plates meeting these vague descriptions are known, but the specimens described below may well have been those actually approved by the Ordnance Department, and thus, worn.

USNM 604118-M (S-K 274). Figure 68.

Figure 68

This plate, struck in copper and silvered, is round with an outer ring. It is attached to a white buff belt. The plate proper contains an eagle with wings outspread, shield on breast, olive branch in right talon, and three arrows in left talon. The whole is within a ring of 24 5-pointed stars. The outer ring is decorated as a wreath, and the narrow rectangular belt attachments are embossed with a floral pattern. The 24 stars place this specimen between 1822 and 1836. Similar buckles are known in yellow metal for either staff or artillery and containing 24, 26, and 28 stars, indicating that they probably were worn until the rectangular eagle-wreath plate was prescribed in 1851.

USNM 60454 (S-K 210). Figure 69.

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