Uncle Sam's Khaki Soldiers interesting article by D. L. Adams

My husband collects military vehicles and subscribes to Military Vehicles Magazine.  The last time I renewed his subscription, I did it online and signed up for their newsletter.  I've discovered that it often contains some really fascinating articles about different aspects of military history.


Today's issue had an in-depth article about the development of the khaki uniform, Uncle Sam’s khaki soldiers by D. L. Adams.

Harry Scofield, Battery E, 5th Artillery, is
wearing a woolen blouse with stand-and-fall
collar as specified in 1907 with “U.S.”
collar as specified for wearing during
1904-1910. John Adams-Graf Collection

During the Spanish-American War, several volunteer units were sent for tropical duty wearing lightweight cotton rather than the Army’s standard blue wool uniforms.  Following experiences in the Spanish-American War, the U.S. Army formally adopted khaki-colored uniforms.  It would only be a few years until it had all but abandoned the blue wool it had worn for more than a century.

As early as 1898, regulations specified a field service blouse for all commissioned officers and enlisted men to be made of “cotton drilling or khaki, light-brown in color…” This departure from the blue uniform, however, was only for the service uniform. While “on marches, fatigue duty, and ordinary wear,” troops were instructed to wear the blue wool surge, 5-button field blouse with rolled collar.-  Uncle Sam’s khaki soldiers by D. L. Adams.  

 Over the next nine years, the new khaki uniform underwent 10 specification changes including changes in the buttons.

The Army had worn bright brass or silver-colored buttons on its service uniforms from the beginning. This changed in 1902, however, with the adoption of a subdued, dull bronze button. The 1902 pattern General Service button featured the nation’s Great Seal with no rim around the circumference. It was produced in three sizes: Cuff, blouse and overcoat. The two smaller sizes were also produced in gilt for use on the dress uniform. The 1902 button would remain the standard pattern used on all of the Army’s dress and service uniforms until the adoption of a rimmed variant in 1912. Uncle Sam’s khaki soldiers by D. L. Adams.

The article is lavishly illustrated with images of different iterations of these uniforms.  I encourage you to check it out!

Related articles

• Facts About The U.s. Army (socyberty.com)
• Effects of Yellow Journalism During The Spanish-american War (socyberty.com)
• What's Your Favorite Modern Military Vehicle? [Question Of The Day] (jalopnik.com)