A quick question on uniform sprites

[Stellar Duck]

I was watching some videos on the first Chancellorsville scenario when I noticed that Mahones brigade was dressed in a bit of a mix of uniforms. That confused me so I went to double check with my own install and saw that in that version they're uniformly clad in grey. I then investigated some more and did a fresh install as well as disabled all mods on the existing install.

In the existing install they're clad in grey, no matter what I do, including the stock GB scenarios whereas in the fresh install (even with the same mod collection, they're clad in the mix uniforms.

I'm almost certain I haven't installed any uniform mods (to be sure, there are none in my mod folder), so I'm wondering what is causing this?

It's by no means an actual problem, but I'm curious, so any help or explanations would be appreciated.

Bonus question: as I'm still in my early phases of reading up on the Civil War I wonder what set of uniforms is more correct? The mixed bag (I seem to recall reading about that in McPhersons book) or the uniformly grey ones?

Finally, if this is the wrong sub forum, please let me know:

Edit: further looking into it shows that it also is the case for zouaves on the Union side. They're all just clad in blue uniforms.

[Ingles of the 57th]

Are you using the 'best' option amongst the alternatives for uniform ? Anything less uses the 'bog standard' uniform.

Geoff Laver
Late of Her Britannic Majesty's 57th Regiment of Foot

[Stellar Duck]

That sorted that. Good grief, I feel dumb as a rock!

I certainly have had it at best earlier as I've seen zouave uniforms but I suppose I've changed it for some reason at some point.

Thank you sir!

[Zeke]

Not Dumb Stellar Duck did exactly the same myself when I first bought the game!

Q. Bonus question: as I'm still in my early phases of reading up on the Civil War I wonder what set of uniforms is more correct? The mixed bag (I seem to recall reading about that in McPhersons book) or the uniformly grey ones?

Good question There was an attempt by the Confederacy to dress their men uniformly however due to the lack of industry in the South compared to the North they were unable to supply their armies most regulation uniforms that were issued fell to pieces on campaign so the men were forced to use their own clothes - so displaying them in mixed dress is completely historically correct Most men chose muted colors such as grey or buff or Brown colours ....wearing bright colours basically made you a great target for example in the summer of 1862 the Union 16th New York wore a white straw sun hat donated by the wife's of their regiment unfortunately this kind act had terrible consequences as they were highly visible to the enemy it was notable that the 16th suffered far more head shots than other units. Some Confederates used captured uniforms in Texas some units wore blue uniforms up to the end of 1863 and at The battle of Antietam AP Hill's Reinforcements wearing captured Union blue uniforms (from Harpers ferry) confused advancing Federals until they were fired upon and the confederate flag came into view!

On the Union side at the start of the war some units wore Grey Uniforms(such as units from New Hampshire Pennsylvania and New York)and a variety of other variations but by the end of 1861/beginning of 1862 the Federal forces were able to dress virtually all their men in regulation Blue the exception here were a few of the Zouave's units however most of their units disappeared by 1862/63. The only parity of both sides was in headwear here both sides adopted the French inspired Kepi although some preferred other headwear such as the slouch hat however these were non regulation and were bought by the wearers...

Have a look at the below links there is loads of info on the internet its a wealth of information....

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Uniforms_o ... ary_forces

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Uniform_of_the_Union_Army

[Stellar Duck]

Thanks Zeke!

And yea, the uniforms falling apart I certainly read about, though I can't recall the name for the material in question.

I was unsure though, if at a later stage of the war the CSA had managed to get enough uniforms to use them or if they kept up the practice of the earlier phases with regards to uniforms.

[Martin James]

This is a subject which interests me too, and I've been reading-up on it recently. But the following is very much an amateur's view

I think Zeke's right. In 1862 and 1863 the Confederate uniforms mostly had a very motley appearance.

My understanding is that in Virginia things were beginning to improve by the second half of 1863. Some brigades we being re-clothed in better quality uniforms. At Chickamauga it was noted that at least some of the brigades in Longstreet's Corps at Chickamauga were outfitted in new uniforms, which contrasted greatly with those of Bragg's troops. Interestingly, the bluish-grey dye used gave some regiments an appearance not dissimilar to their Union opponents. There is some indication that the uniform improvement may even have started slightly before this in Lee's army.

Through a combination of better southern manufactures and imports of good foreign cloth (much of it from Ireland), the main Confederate armies achieved much more uniformity in 1864. And a much higher degree of greyness too.

I don't believe either effect was ever achieved in the Trans Mississippi though.

Hope that helps.

Martin

[Stellar Duck]

A big thank you to you as well!

Fascinating stuff. I've yet to really delve in to the logistics of this war but from both this and what little I've picked up on it sounds like it's a rich topic to delve in to. I'm at a stage where I've gotten a pretty solid grip on the war as a whole and the decades leading up to it with regards to politics and the discourse of the time.

I suspect I'll be ready to start filling on the details before long.