1832-1836. If the number of stars is of any signifi- 

 cance, such dating would be correct, as the canton of 

 the National Colors contained 25 stars from 1836 to 

 1837. The central design used without the border is 

 also known in smaller, more standard sized plates. 

 The design is a stock pattern. This type plate is also 

 known in both brass and siK-er. 



SHOULDER-BELT PLATE, W.\SHINGTON GRAYS, C. 1835 



USNM 604348-M QS-K 504). Figure 192. 



This may well be a companion piece to the diamond- 

 shaped cap plate ascribed to the Washington Greys'^" 

 of Philadelphia (see fig. 139). In any case, the two 

 appear to have been struck from the same die. It 



1 Militia organizations generally modeled their uni- 

 forms rather clo.sely on those of the Regular Estab- 

 lishment: of course, there were certain exceptions, 

 notably the flamboyant Zouave units. However, 

 the Militia often added additional trimmings that 

 gave the "gay and gaudy" touch for which they 

 were noted. Following the example of the Regulars, 

 the Militia adopted coat-skirt ornaments almost im- 

 mediately after their appearance in 1832. They used 

 the regulation flaming grenades, open and looped 

 horns, and 5- and 6-pointed stars, Ijut in both gold 

 and silver on varicolored backgrounds and in a 

 wide variety of sizes. They also used a number of 

 peculiarly Militia forms, such as crossed-cannon. ele- 

 ments of state .seals, and devices peculiar to specific 

 units. 



Figure 192 



may also ha\e Ijcen worn by the Washington Greys 

 of Reading, Pennsylvania, or by another company 

 of the same designation. The specimen is struck in 

 thin brass with a tin backing applied before the strike 

 and the edges crimped over the reverse. Three 

 soldered copper-wire staples provide means of 

 attachment. 



130 -f he spelling of "Grays" may or may not be significant. 

 .\ Huddy and Duval print of the Washington Greys in U.S. 

 Military .Magazine (.April 1839, pi. 5) used "Greys" in the title 

 and "Grays" on an ammunition box in the same print. 



COAT-SKIRT ORNAMENT, ARTILLERY, C. 1836 



USNM 604961-M (_S-K 1105). Figure 193. 



Typical of Militia coat-skirt ornaments is this pair 

 of crossed cannon devices for Militia artillery. They 

 are of gold embroidery on a liackground of l)lack 

 velvet. Similar pairs in the national collections arc 

 embroidered in silver. The Regular artillery never 

 wore the crossed cannon device on the skirt of the 

 coat; so used, it was exclusivelv a Miliiia cirnament. 



I I I 



Figure 193 



COAT-SKIRT ORNAMENT, SOUTH CAROLINA, C. 1836 



USNM 60496} QS-K 1107). Figure 194. 



Another coat-skirt ornament with an e\en more 

 distinctly Militia touch is this small palmetto tree of 



95 



