GENERAL REGULATIONS.
FULL DRESS.
Frock coat, epaulettes, cocked hat, sword, and plain pantaloons; the coat to be worn fully buttoned. The epaulettes cocked hat, and sword-knot, are to be dispensed with during the war.
UNDRESS.
The same as full dress, but without cocked hat or epaulettes, and with or without sword.
SERVICE DRESS.
The same as undress. Swords to be worn at quarters and on leaving a navy yard or vessel on duty.
Officers are to wear their uniform, either full or undress, whenever they make official visits to the president of the United States, the Secretary of the Navy, or to foreign authorities and vessels of war; when acting as members of courts-martial, courts of inquiry, boards of examination, or of special boards, or when attending such boards as witnesses, or in any other capacity.
It is left optional with officers to wear their uniform while on duty in the Navy Department, at the Observatory, or on light-house duty ashore.
Uniform is to be worn by all officers when attached to any vessel of the navy or Coast Survey, to any navy yard or station, or to any hospital or other naval establishment, for duty, unless when absent on leave.
Officers on furlough will not wear their uniform, and officers are strictly prohibited from wearing any part of it while suspended from duty by sentence of a court martial.
On all occasions of ceremony, abroad or in the United States, when a commanding officer may deem it necessary to order the attendance of the officers under his command, he shall be careful in such order to prescribe the particular dress to be worn.
Officers attached to vessels of the United States Navy in foreign ports will not visit the shore without being in uniform.
Officers appointed on "temporary service" are not required to supply themselves with full-dress uniforms, but are required to obtain undress uniforms and side arms.
Officers holding executive appointments in the volunteer service of the navy are to wear the same uniform as is authorized for their respective grades in the regular service.
Before a vessel proceeds to sea, there will be a general muster for the purpose of ascertaining whether the officers and crew are provided with the uniform prescribed by the regulations, and the commanding officer of the vessel will see that all deficiencies are supplied.
COATS.
For a rear-admiral, commodore, captain, commander, lieutenant commander, lieutenant, master and ensign, and all staff officers of assimilated rank, respectively, to be as follows:
Frock coat, of navy-blue cloth, faced with the same, and lined with black silk serge; double breasted, with two rows of large navy buttons on the breast, nine in each row, placed four inches and a half apart from eye to eye at top, and two inches and a half at bottom; rolling collar; skirts to be full, commencing at the hip bone and descending four-fifths thence toward the knee, with one button behind on each hip and one near the bottom of each fold; cuffs to be closed and made two and a half to three inches deep.
For gunners, boatswains, carpenters, and sailmakers, the same.
For midshipmen, third assistant engineers, and clerks, the same except that
the buttons are to be of medium size only.
For a master's mate receiving $40 per month, frock coat of navy blue cloth or flannel; rolling collar; single breasted, with nine navy buttons of medium size on the breast, one behind on each hip, one near the bottom on each fold, and none on the cuffs. They will also wear a gold star above the cuff, and the navy cap with simply the wreath.
For master's mates receiving $25 per month, yeomen, masters-at-arms,
surgeon's stewards, and paymasters' stewards, blue cloth or flannel jacket; rolling
collar, double-breasted, with two rows of medium sized navy buttons on the breast, six in
each row; and slashed sleeves, with four small sized navy buttons. They will also wear the
navy cap without wreath or device.
OVERCOATS.
Shall be a caban overcoat and cape, of dark blue beaver or pilot cloth, lined throughout with dark blue flannel; skirt to extend four inches below the knee; cape to be ten inches shorter; double breasted, with pockets in side seam, and buttons arranged as for frock coat; the cape to be made so that it can be removed at pleasure, and provided with an extra cloth collar to detach, so as to from a separate garment. On each end of the collar of the overcoat shall be the following devices: For a rear admiral, two silver stars; commodore, one silver star; captain, a silver eagle; commander, a silver leaf; lieutenant commander, a gold leaf; lieutenant, two silver bars; master, one silver bar; ensign, a small gold cord on the front edge of the collar. Staff officers of corresponding assimilated rank are to wear the same designations. Stars, eagle and bars to be parallel to the ends of the collar. The overcoats of all other officers than those above mentioned are to have no devices, and but seven buttons in each row.
JACKETS.
Jackets may be worn as "service dress" by all officers, except at
general muster, or upon special occasions of ceremony, when a different dress is
prescribed by the commanding officer; to be of navy-blue cloth or navy-blue fine flannel,
faced with the same, and lined with black silk serge; double or single breasted, as in the
coat; rolling collar, with the same number of small sized buttons on the breast as for the
coat, and with the same arrangement of lace on the cuffs, and the same shoulder straps.
In mild climates or seasons, officers in "service dress" may wear the uniform made of navy blue fine flannel. Coats to be lined with black silk serge, and furnished with navy buttons of medium size. The same may be worn on shipboard at sea, except at general muster; also on board ship in port, except at general muster, when on watch with the colors hoisted, or on occasions of ceremony, when a different dress is prescribed by the commanding officer.
The lace on the cuffs and sleeves is to be navy gold lace, a quarter of an inch wide, and to be placed a quarter of an inch apart, except where a half is hereinafter designated, the first strip being below but joining the cuff seam, and the others distributed in groups upwardly.
On the upper side of each sleeve, above the lace and midway the seams, is to be worn a star of five rays, embroidered in gold, and one inch in diameter, with one of its rays directly downwards, the point thereof being a quarter of an inch from the upper edge of the lace.
FOR A REAR ADMIRAL.
Eight strips, (navy gold lace, a quarter of an inch wide,) with half an inch space between first and second, fourth and fifth, and seven and eighth, and a quarter of an inch between the other strips.
FOR A COMMODORE.
Seven strips, (navy gold lace, a quarter of an inch wide,) with half an inch space between third and fourth, fourth and fifth, and a quarter of an inch between all other strips.
FOR A CAPTAIN.
Six strips, (navy gold lace, a quarter of an inch wide,) with half an inch space between third and fourth, and a quarter of an inch between the other strips.
FOR A COMMANDER.
Five strips, (navy gold lace, a quarter of an inch wide,) with half an inch space between first and second, fourth and fifth, and a quarter of an inch between the other strips.
FOR A LIEUTENANT COMMANDER.
Four strips, (navy gold lace, a quarter of an inch wide,) with half an inch space between third and fourth, and a quarter of an inch between the other strips.
FOR A LIEUTENANT.
Three strips, (navy gold lace, a quarter of an inch wide,) and a quarter of an inch between each strip.
FOR A MASTER.
Two strips, (navy gold lace, a quarter of an inch wide,) with a quarter of an inch space between.
FOR AN ENSIGN.
One strip (navy gold lace, a quarter of an inch wide).
For a midshipman, boatswain, gunner, and master's mate, at $40 per month, the star without the lace, and in the same position as the star on the sleeves of an ensign.
The cuff and sleeve ornaments of the staff officers are to be the same as for the line officers with whom they assimilate, respectively, in rank, except the gold star, which is to be worn by line officers only.
No other officers are entitled to the ornaments above described.
PANTALOONS.
For all officers, to be of navy-blue cloth or white drill, or for "service dress" of navy-blue fine flannel, and to be worn over the boots or shoes.
Within the tropics, white pantaloons are to be worn at all seasons, unless when otherwise authorized by the officer in command.
North of the tropics blue ones are to be worn from the 1st of October to the 15th of May, and white ones from the 15th of May to the 1st of October; and south, of the tropics, vice versa, subject, however, to such exceptions as may be directed or authorized by the senior officer present in command.
VESTS.
For all officers, single-breasted, standing collar, with nine small navy buttons in front.
All shoulder straps, except for gunners, boatswains, carpenters, and sailmakers, are to be of navy-blue cloth, four inches and a quarter long, and one inch and a half wide, including the border, which is to be a quarter of an inch wide, and embroidered in gold.
The centre and end ornaments, or distinctions of the line and staff, and indications of rank, are to be embroidered in gold or in silver, as hereinafter designated, and are to be as follows:
FOR A REAR ADMIRAL.
Anchor in length, seven-eighths inch; Stars in diameter, seven-eighths inch; from centre of Star to end of Strap, seven-eighths inch, width of Border, one-quarter inch.
A silver foul anchor in the centre, in a horizontal position, and a silver star of five rays at end.
FOR A COMMODORE.
Anchor in length, seven-eighths inch; Star in diameter, seven-eighths inch; width of Border, one quarter inch.
A silver star, embroidered on a gold foul anchor, in the centre.
FOR A CAPTAIN.
Eagle, two inches between tips of wings; length of anchor, one and one-eighth of an inch.
A silver spread eagle, resting on a silver plain anchor, in the centre.
FOR A COMMANDER
Leaf in length, five-eighths inch; stalk of leaf from end of Strap, three-eighths inch; length of Anchor, seven-eighths inch; width of Border, one quarter inch.
A silver foul anchor in the centre, and a silver oak leaf at each end.
FOR A LIEUTENANT COMMANDER.
Leaf in length, five-eighths inch; stalk of leaf from end of Strap, three-eighths inch; length of Anchor, seven-eighths inch; width of Border, one quarter inch.
A silver foul anchor in the centre, and a gold oak leaf at each end.
FOR A LIEUTENANT.
Bars, two-tenths inch wide; one-half inch long;
four-tenths from end of Strap; space between Bars, one-tenth inch; Anchor, seven- eighths
inch long.
A silver foul anchor in the centre, and two gold bars at each end.
FOR A MASTER.
Bar, two-tenths inch wide; one-half inch long; four-tenths from end of Strap; Anchor, seven-eighths inch long.
A silver foul anchor in the centre, and a gold bar at each end.
FOR AN ENSIGN.
Anchor in length, seven-eighths inch; Border, one-quarter inch.
A silver foul anchor in the centre.
FOR CHIEF OF BUREAU OF STEAM ENGINEERING.
.
Centre Ornament, one inch long. Star in diameter, seven-eighths inch.
Centre device, cross oak leaf embroidered in Gold, with star embroidered on the same, in
Silver.
.
FOR FLEET ENGINEERS AND CHIEF ENGINEERS, AFTER FIFTEEN YEARS.
Eagle, two inches from tip to tip. Spread of Leaves, one and one-fourth
inch.
Spread Eagle standing on oak leaves, all embroidered in Silver, in centre of Strap.
FOR CHIEF ENGINEERS AFTER FIRST FIVE YEARS.
Leaf in length, five-eighths inch. Stalk of Leaf from end of Strap,
three-eighths inch.
Centre device, cross spread oak leaf, with leaf at each end, all embroidered in Silver.
FOR CHIEF ENGINEERS, FIRST FIVE YEARS.
Leaf in length, five-eighths inch. Stalk of Leaf from end of Strap,
three-eighths inch.
Centre device, cross spread oak leaf, embroidered in Silver, with leaf at each end to be
embroidered in Gold.
FOR FIRST ASSISTANT ENGINEERS.
Bars, two-tenths one-inch wide, half inch long. Bars, four-tenths inch
from end of Strap.
Centre device, cross spread oak leaf, embroidered in Silver, and one bar at each end to be
embroidered in Gold.
FOR SECOND ASSISTANT ENGINEERS.
Centre Ornament, one inch long. Border one-fourth inch wide.
Centre device, cross spread oak leaf, embroidered in Silver.
FOR PROFESSORS OF MORE THAN TWELVE YEARS.
Plain centre circle, five-sixths inch in diameter, with letter in relief.
Yellow centre, with letter P in old English in relief, in Silver, with leaf at each end,
embroidered in Silver.
FOR PROFESSORS OF LESS THAN TWELVE YEARS.
Plain centre circle, five-sixths inch in diameter, with letter in relief.
Border one-fourth inch wide.
Yellow centre, with letter P in old English, in Silver, and leaf at each end to be
embroidered in Gold.
FOR SECRETARIES.
Bars, two-tenths inch wide, one-half inch long. Bars, four-tenths inch
from end of Strap. Space between Bars one-tenth inch.
Letter S in old English, embroidered in Silver, in centre, and two bars at each end
embroidered in Gold.
FOR CHIEF OF BUREAU OF MEDICINE AND SURGERY.
Star, in diameter, seven-eighths inch. Width of Border, one-fourth inch.
Star embroidered in Silver.
FOR FLEET SURGEONS, AND SURGEONS AFTER FIFTEEN YEARS.
Eagle, two inches from tip to tip.
Spread Eagle, embroidered in Silver, in centre.
FOR SURGEONS, AFTER FIRST FIVE YEARS.
Leaf in length, five-eighths inch. Stalk of Leaf from end of Strap,
three-eighths inch.
A leaf at each end to be embroidered in Silver.
FOR SURGEONS, FIRST FIVE YEARS.
Length, five-eighths inch. Stalk of Leaf from end of Strap, three-eighths
inch. Width of Border, one-fourth inch.
A leaf at each end to be embroidered in Gold.
FOR PASSED ASSISTANT SURGEONS.
Bars two-tenths inch wide, one-half inch long. Bars four-tenths inch from
end of Strap. Space between bars one-tenth inch.
Two bars at each end to be embroidered in Gold.
FOR ASSISTANT SURGEONS.
Bar two-tenths inch wide, one-half inch long. Bar four-tenths inch from
end of Strap.
One bar at each end to be embroidered in Gold.
FOR CHAPLAINS OF MORE THAN TWELVE YEARS.
Length of Cross, seven-eighths inch. Length of Leaf, five-eighths inch.
Stalk of Leaf from end of Strap, three-eighths inch. Width of Border, one-fourth inch.
A cross placed obliquely in centre, with leaf at each end, all embroidered in Silver.
FOR CHAPLAINS OF LESS THAN TWELVE YEARS.
Length of Cross, seven-eighths inch. Length of Leaf, five-eighths inch.
Stalk of Leaf from end of Strap, three-eighths inch. Width of Border, one-fourth inch.
A cross placed obliquely in centre, in Silver, with leaf at each end to be embroidered in
Gold.
FOR CHIEF OF BUREAU OF PROVISION AND CLOTHING.
Length of Oak Sprig, one and one-fourth inch. Star in diameter,
seven-eighths inch. Width of Border, one-fourth inch.
Oak sprig embroidered in Gold, with Star embroidered on same, in Silver, in centre of
Strap.
FOR FLEET PAYMASTERS, AND PAYMASTERS AFTER FIFTEEN YEARS.
Eagle from tip to tip, two inches. Length of Oak Sprig, one and one-tenth
inch.
Spread Eagle standing on Oak Sprig, embroidered in Silver, in centre of Strap.
FOR PAYMASTERS AFTER FIRST FIVE YEARS.
Length of Oak Sprig, one and one-fourth inch. End leaf in length,
five-eighths inch. Stalk of Leaf from end of Strap, three-eighths inch.
Centre device, Oak Sprig, with Leaf at each end, all embroidered in Silver.
FOR PAYMASTERS, FIRST FIVE YEARS.
Length of Oak Sprig, one and one-fourth inch. End leaf in length,
five-eighths inch. Stalk of Leaf from end of Strap, three-eighths inch.
Centre device, Oak Sprig, embroidered in Silver, with Leaf at each end embroidered in
Gold.
FOR ASSISTANT PAYMASTERS.
Length of Oak Sprig, one and one-fourth inch. Bar, two-tenths inch wide,
one-half inch long. Bar, four-tenths inch from end of Strap.
Centre device, Oak Sprig, embroidered in Silver, with a Gold Bar at each end.
FOR CHIEF OF BUREAU OF CONSTRUCTION.
Spread of Live Oak Leaves, one-tenth inch. Star in diameter, seven-eighths
inch. Width of Border, one fourth inch.
Oak sprig, embroidered in Gold, with Star embroidered on same, in Silver, in centre of
Strap.
FOR NAVAL CONSTRUCTORS OF MORE THAN TWENTY YEARS.
Eagle, two inches from tip to tip. Length of Live Oak Sprig, nine-tenths
inch.
Spread Eagle, standing on Live Oak Sprig, embroidered in Silver, in centre of Strap.
FOR NAVAL CONSTRUCTORS OF MORE THAN TWELVE YEARS.
Spread of Live Oak Leaves, one and one-tenth inch. End leaf in length,
five-eighths inch. Stalk of Leaf, from end of strap, three-eighths inch. Width of Border,
one-fourth inch.
Centre device, Live Oak Sprig, with Leaf at each end, all embroidered in Silver.
FOR NAVAL CONSTRUCTORS OF LESS THAN TWELVE YEARS.
Spread of Live Oak Leaves, one and one-tenth inch. End leaf in length,
five-eighths inch. Stalk of Leaf from end of strap, three-eighths inch. Width of Border,
one-fourth inch.
Centre device, Live Oak Sprig, embroidered in Silver, with a Gold Leaf at each end.
FOR ASSISTANT NAVAL CONSTRUCTORS.
Spread of Live Oak Leaves, one and one-tenth inch. Bar, two-tenths inch
wide, one-half inch long. Bar, four-tenths inch from end of Strap.
Centre device, Live Oak Sprig, embroidered in Silver, with a Gold Bar at each end.
Staff officers are to wear shoulder straps of the same description as prescribed for line officers with whom they assimilate, respectively, in rank, with the following exceptions as to centre devices:
In the medical corps, the anchor is omitted; in the paymasters' corps, an oak sprig, in silver, is substituted; in the engineer corps, a device of four oak leaves, in silver, in the form of a cross, is substituted; for professors of mathematics, the letter P, in silver relief, on plain gold circle, is substituted; for naval constructors, a live oak sprig is substituted; for chaplains, a silver cross is substituted; for secretaries, the letter S, in silver, is substituted.
Midshipmen, third assistant engineers, and clerks, are not to wear straps.
Gunners, boatswains, carpenters and sailmakers are to have shoulder straps of plain gold lace, four inches long and three- quarters of an inch wide; the boatswain to have the letter B, and the carpenter the letter C, embroidered in silver, midway upon their straps.
Cap, of dark blue cloth; top to be one-half inch greater
diameter than the base; quarters, one and a half inch wide between the seams; back of the
band to be two inches wide between the points of the visor, with a welt half an inch from
the lower edge, extending from point to point of the visor; band in front, one and a half
inch wide; bound, black patent leather visor, green underneath, two and a half inches
wide, and rounded, as per pattern, inside of the band of heavy duck. The cap ornaments are
to be worn on the band in front. During rainy weather a black cover may be worn over the
cap.
Cap ornaments shall consist of a gold wreath in front, composed of oak and olive
branches, three inches in width, and enclosing the following described devices:
FOR A REAR ADMIRAL.
Diameter of Stars, five-eighths inch. Between centre of Stars, four-fifths
inch.
Two Stars embroidered in Silver.
FOR COMMODORE, CAPTAIN, COMMANDER, LIEUTENANT-COMMANDER, LIEUTENANT, MASTER, AND
ENSIGN.
Length of Anchor, seven-eighths inch.
A Foul Anchor embroidered in Silver.
FOR MEDICAL OFFICERS.
Length of Leaf, nine-tenths inch.
An Oak Leaf embroidered in Silver.
FOR CHAPLAINS.
Length of Cross, seven-eighths inch. Width of Cross, half inch.
A Cross, placed obliquely and embroidered in Silver.
FOR PROFESSORS.
Diameter of circle, four-fifths inch, with letter raised in relief.
Yellow centre, with letter P in old English, embroidered in Silver.
FOR SECRETARIES.
Length of Letter, half inch.
Letter S in old English, embroidered in Silver.
FOR PAYMASTERS.
Height of Centre Ornament, nine-tenths of an inch.
An Oak Sprig, embroidered in Silver.
FOR ENGINEERS.
Length of Centre Ornament, on and one-tenth inch. Height of Centre
Ornament, nine-tenths inch.
Cross Oak Leaves, embroidered in Silver.
FOR NAVAL CONSTRUCTORS.
Spread of Leaves, one and one-fourth inch.
A Live Oak Sprig, embroidered in Silver.
For all other officers, simply the wreath.
STRAW HATS.
In tropical climates, or during the warm seasons, officers may wear white straw hats, under the same restrictions as in the case of jackets; the body of the hat to be not more than four and a half nor less than four inches in height, and the rim not more than three and a half nor less than three inches in width, with a plain band of black ribbon.
SWORD AND SCABBARD.
For all officers, shall be a cut-and-thrust blade, not less than twenty-six nor more than twenty-nine inches long; half-basket hilt; grip white. Scabbards of black leather; mounting of yellow gilt.
SWORD-BELT.
For all officers, shall be of plain black glazed leather, not less than one inch and a half nor more than two inches wide, with slings of the same not less than one-half nor more than three-quarters of an inch wide, an a hook in the forward ring to suspend the sword. Belt-plate of yellow gilt in front, two inches in diameter. The belt to be worn over the coat.
SWORD-KNOT.
For a Captain and Commander, shall be blue and gold cord twenty-four inches long, including the tassel; gold and blue slide; tassel of twelve gold bullions one and three-fourths of an inch long, enclosing five blue bullions, with basket-worked head.
For all other Commissioned Officers, a strap of gold lace, one-half inch wide and eighteen inches long, including the tassel; gold slide; tassel of gold bullion, with basket-weave head.
N.B.-- Sword-Knots are dispensed with during the war.
BUTTONS.
Shall be gilt, convex, and of three sizes in exterior diameter: large, seven-eighths of an inch; medium, seven-tenths of an inch; and small, nine-sixteenths of an inch. Each size is to have the same device.
CRAVAT.
For all officers, to be of black silk or satin, with a white shirt collar showing above it.
Boatswain's mates, gunner's mates, carpenter's mates, sailmakers' mates and ship's cook, will wear, embroidered in white silk, on the right sleeve of their blue jackets, above the elbow, in front, and eagle and anchor, of not more than three inches in length, with a star of one inch in diameter one inch above. The same device, embroidered in blue, to be worn on the sleeves of their white frocks in summer.
All other petty officers, except officers's stewards, will wear the same device on their left sleeves.
The outside clothing for petty officers, firemen, and coal-heavers, seamen, ordinary seamen, landsmen and boys, for muster, shall consist of blue cloth jackets and trowsers, or blue woollen frocks; black hats; black silk neckerchiefs, and shoes, or boots in cold weather. In warm weather it shall consist of white frocks and trowsers; black or white hats, as the commander may for the occasion direct, having proper regard for the comfort of the crew; black silk neckerchiefs, and shoes; the collars and cuffs to be lined with blue cotton cloth, and stitched round with thread. Thick black cloth caps, without visors, may be worn by the crew at sea, except on holidays or at muster.
It is strictly enjoined upon commandants of stations and commanding officers of the navy to see that the foregoing regulations are complied with in every respect, and to require all deviations from them to be corrected.
GIDEON WELLES,
Secretary of the Navy.
NAVY DEPARTMENT, January 28, 1864.