A Guide to 19th Century Citadel Uniforms

The 1843 Regulations outline the first uniform guidelines as set forth by the Board of Visitors in their 1843 Minutes:

"Resolved, That the Superintendent of the Arsenal Academy at Columbia and the Citadel Academy at Charleston be required to prescribe a suitable uniform for both officers and cadets of the above named Academies, and confer with each member of the Board of Visitors by letter upon the subject: and upon receiving the approbation of a majority of the Board, the uniform so prescribed, shall be adopted."

Here is what they decided on as per the 1843 Regulations: 

The 1845 Regulations essentially keep the same uniform types but each item is described in detail: 

The 1849 Regulations makes a few small changes in regard to both the Forage Cap and the Dress Cap:

The Forage Cap is now made of blue cloth instead of black velvet and the Dress Cap is now made of black felt instead of black beaver, as per the 1845 Regulations.

The 1849 Regulations also have the first mention of badges of military distinction as follows:

The guidelines for Officer's uniforms first appears in the 1845 Regulations as follows: 

The only change from the 1849 Regulations is on the Forage Cap, changing it from black velvet to black cloth: