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CADET GRAY Exclaimed “Those Are Regulars, by God!” a Single Narrow Braid Above That

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CADET GRAY Exclaimed “Those Are Regulars, by God!” a Single Narrow Braid Above That PAST IN REVIEW Past in Review fabric (dyed with imported indigo) for already. However, Scott always took credit Army uniforms had run out. What was for the choice of gray uniforms, even claiming available and abundant? An inexpensive in his memoirs that they were adopted in rough gray cloth, normally used as work honor of his victory at Chippawa. Either way, clothes for slaves. Many poorer volunteer it was approved. units had already adopted such fabric for In 1817, Major Sylvanus Thayer 1808—then their uniforms, and the regular Army Superintendent—introduced chevrons to the followed suit. uniform to indicate cadet rank. There were In the spring of 1814, Brigadier General now enough cadets enrolled to necessitate Winfield Scott was in Buffalo, New York, leaders and officers in the Corps. The training his brigade of Infantry soldiers placement of the chevrons fluctuated for over when a shipment of the gray uniforms a decade until the present system was arrived for them. The soldiers balked, established in about 1830. Circa 1820 the mainly because they did not want to be Army adopted chevrons on uniforms. Since associated with the volunteer units who, the 1950s they have been reserved solely for while wearing gray, displayed cowardice in non-commissioned officers. Only on West the line of duty. Scott knew that the uniform Point uniforms do chevrons indicate officer was not the key to success and continued to ranks (cadet lieutenants and cadet captains). prepare his soldiers for the task at hand. In In 1889, the Dress Gray coat was designed. It July, he led his brigade to victory against an was intended to replace the riding jackets and ill-prepared British force at the Battle of for many years was worn most of the day, Chippawa. Evidently, the British mistook including in the classroom. Then in 1899, them for volunteers and underestimated narrow braids were added to the lower sleeve their will and discipline. It is storied that of Full Dress and Dress Gray to help identify when he realized defeat, the British class affiliation. Plebes wore the basic style commander, Major General Phineas Riall, with no additional stripes. Yearlings received CADET GRAY exclaimed “Those are regulars, by God!” a single narrow braid above that. A cow By Kim McDermott ’87, WPAOG staff At the time, the Superintendent of the received a second, and firsties earned their Academy was Captain Alden Partridge 1806. third and final stripe. In 1910, the “service Graduates of West Point are called the Long And for whatever reason, he had a gray stripes” were added to the overcoat. Gray Line in a nod to the iconic gray cadet uniform tailored for himself. Was it because At the turn of the 20th century, just prior to uniforms, but they weren’t always gray. Early he saw the Army moving in that direction? the Academy’s centennial, the United States cadets were soldiers and wore uniforms Or was he inspired by Scott’s triumph at had become a prominent world power, and associated with their regiments. Further, Chippawa? Whatever the case, the cadets the Army was modernizing. West Point knew engineers and artillerymen all wore different began referring to him as “Old Pewter.” it had decidedly proved its worth and would colors, caps, buttons, and other details What they did not know was that Partridge endure long into the future. Officials felt it representing their branch affiliation. It wasn’t had approved an order of new cadet coats of would be a good time to think about until the early 19th century that cadets wore that very same gray. It was fashioned after his generating a balance between forward- gray uniforms. What changed? And why own, and had many of the distinctive features thinking changes and tradition. During these gray, when Army uniforms were mostly blue? of the modern Full Dress coat: the black years the Academy adopted the current crest, There are two basic theories about the choice braid, buttons, and “swallowtail” coattails. the helmet of Pallas Athena (representing of gray for cadet uniforms: inspiration and The design remains largely unchanged today. wisdom and the arts of war), and the motto economics. History points to the latter. An At the time, Joseph Swift 1802 (the first West “Duty, Honor, Country.” It is interesting to American victory at the Battle of Chippawa Point graduate) was commanding the defense note that the original design of the crest had provides the former, if not more romantic, of New York City and its harbors. During the eagle and helmet facing to the wearer’s left way to look at it. this period he also had oversight for Partridge —quite backward in terms of heraldry. Since 1812 marked the beginning of another major and West Point. In 1816, Swift requested the medieval times, animals and other devices conflict between the United States and gray uniform be formalized as the official were depicted facing to the wearer’s right—or Britain. Resources were being consumed uniform of the Academy, citing practical dexter—the side of honor. The crest was quickly and supply could not meet demand reasons. It was less expensive than the blue, corrected in 1923. These items, along with in many areas. By 1814, all stores of blue and had been in use for more than a year cadet gray, will endure. Photo: courtesy of West Point Museum, photo by Eileen Harkless Moore 52 WestPointAOG.org.
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