.Later Revolutionary War Era/1780.

U.S. ARMY RANK INSIGNIA

The Later Revolutionary War Era / 1780

In June 1780, Gen. Washington issued orders on uniforms and insignia from his New Jersey headquarters.
The Army expected to join forces with French troops soon and Washington wanted the Americans to give the appearance of the fine soldiers they were. All, except generals, were to wear the uniform of their regiment or corps.

"All officers as will warrant as commissioned,
to wear a cockade and side arms, either a sword or a genteel bayonet."

* Subalterns were the most junior commissioned officers; Ensigns, Second Lieutenants, and Coronets

Noncommissioned officers continued to wear their green and red epaulettes;
Subalterns, an epaulette on the left shoulder; and Captains, an epaulette on the right shoulder.

Field grade officers were to wear two epaulettes.

The aides-de-camp would wear their rank insignia on the uniform of their general, if they didn't belong to a corps. Aides of Brigadier and Major Generals were to wear a green hat feather;
Aides of the Commander-in-Chief, a white and green feather.

Generals were to wear
"... blue coats with buff facings and linings, yellow buttons, white or buff underclothes ..."

Back to <Revolutionary War 'Table of Contents' Page>
Back to <US Army 'Table of Contents' Page>

FtgoG