Daniel Library: A Guide to 19th Century Citadel Uniforms: 1850s

1854 and 1858 Regulations

The 1854 and 1858 Regulations add one new item to the uniform guidelines: suspenders.

The 1853 Board of Visitor Meeting Minutes first ordered the change:

"and after “2 pairs of Berlin gloves,” insert “1 pr suspenders” – which the Board insist shall be worn at all times."

For Officer's uniforms, the only change on the 1854 and 1858 Regulations was the change from a blue silk stock to a black silk stock.

Photographs

John Mills Dean, Class of 1855

Cadet Dean was a member of the Class of 1855 and hailed from the Spartanburg District. According to the 1864 Register, Dean went on to become a planter in Arkansas until the start of the Civil War. In 1861, he joined the 7th Regiment Arkansas Volunteers as a Captain and was then promoted to Lieutenant Colonel in 1862. He was killed at the Battle of Shiloh in April 1862, at the head of the regiment leading a charge. In this daguerreotype, Dean is wearing his Uniform Coatee buttoned up and Sattinet Winter Pants.

William R. Erwin, Class of 1856

Cadet Erwin was a member of the Class of 1856 and hailed from the Barnwell District. He served as a Cadet Captain during his time at The Citadel. According to the 1864 Register, Erwin became a merchant but passed away only two years after his graduation in 1858. In this daguerreotype, Erwin is wearing his Uniform Coatee unbuttoned so his Vest trimmed with black silk is visible. His white Pocket Handkerchief is also visible on the left side of his Coatee. He is also wearing his black Bombazine Stock.

Robert K. Thomas, Class of 1857

Cadet Thomas was a member of the Class of 1857 and hailed from the Fairfield District. He served as a Cadet Second Lieutenant during his time at The Citadel. According to the 1864 Register, Thomas went on to become a Lieutenant and Professor of Belles Lettres at the Yorkville Military Academy before his early death in 1860. In this photograph, Thomas is wearing his Uniform Coatee unbuttoned to show his white Summer Vest and black Bombazine Stock. He is also wearing his Summer White Cotton Drilling pants.

Henry B. D'Oyley, Class of 1857

Cadet D'Oyley was a member of the Class of 1857 and hailed from the Greenville District. He served as a Cadet First Lieutenant and Adjutant. According to the 1864 Register, D'Oyley went on to become a Professor and Principal at the Murfreesboro Military Academy in Tennessee before passing away in 1859. In this photograph, D'Oyley is wearing his Uniform Coatee unbuttoned so his Winter Vest trimmed with black silk is visible. His white Pocket Handkerchief is also visible on the left side of his Coatee. He is also wearing his black Bombazine Stock.