O Tempora! O Mores! Tempora Mutantur, but not at West Point.
Until 1816, the cadets had no regular uniform, but were permitted to wear pretty much what they desired. Poor chaps, I scarcely blame them, because from the records it appears that for the large part of the time they were in rags. In winter especially, they hardly had enough clothes to keep them warm. In 1814, a uniform was prescribed, but little attention was paid to the prescribed dress, everything being worn according to fancy up to a major-general’s uniform. General R. G. Ramsey (Cullum Register, Vol. III.) states that “during the winters of 1814 and 1815 cadets were greatly exposed to cold; great coats had not become the fashion for boys and such comfort was a specialty. My wardrobe had been carefully prepared, but the inventory did not include the great coat.” This is the first mention of the cadet overcoat.
In 1816, however, an order from the Adjutant-General changed the uniform of 1814, and with few modifications made from time to time, this uniform is worn today. The gray color is said to have been adopted out of compliment to General Scott and his troops who, clothed in gray (due to the inability of the government to furnish them with blue), had, on July 4, 1814, won a victory over the British at Chippewa.
Today the cadets have a few more uniforms, but the general appearance and the pattern have been only slightly changed since 1816. The present list includes a full-dress coat, a single-breasted coat of blue gray cloth, with three rows of gilt bell buttons in front, and button-holes of black silk cord in herring-bone form with a festoon turned at back end. The standing collar hooks in front and is ornamented with a blind hole of cord formed like that of the breast with a button on each side. The coat is cut off in front just below the waist line, but has in rear a skirt, ornamented with three buttons and cord holes. The full-dress coat is a garment of rare beauty and taste. I have never seen a more military uniform, one that expresses so well the purpose for which it is intended. It accentuates the good carriage of the cadets and at the same time clothes him with an air of elegance. It seems to me that anyone could look smart and well set-up in a cadet full-dress coat. When seen in full dress without his accoutrements, the cadet, with his slim waist, his well-developed shoulders, and chest proudly displaying those shiny buttons, and the little tail hanging down stiffly and conservatively, appears for all the world like proud young cock-robin going a-courting Jenny Wren. The full-dress coat is worn for ceremonies, church, official receptions, hops, and for social calls, dining out, and entertainments.
For habitual wear, a dress coat, or a blouse (as it is more familiarly called) is prescribed. The garment was first worn, June 15, 1889. It is of the same style as the officers’ blouse, being of gray cloth and bound around the edges, the cuffs, and up the seams in the back with black mohair braid, having a collar of the same material, of height suited to the wearer.
The trousers are of gray cloth with a black stripe up the side, one and one-half inch wide. In summer, white is worn, either full white, blouse, trousers, and cap, or a combination of the gray coat and the white trousers. This mixed uniform is the most effective, especially en masse, at a ceremony when the white belt and cross belts are worn.
For certain drills a gray flannel shirt is issued, and suitable breeches are provided for riding. The various combinations of the uniform are published in a table and designated by letter, so that the cadet consults the table for, we will say, “Full Dress A,” where he finds in detail all articles of uniform to be worn for a ceremony.
The uniform is admirable in color, appearance, and utility. It is regrettable that the gray color is not used in the Regular Army instead of the lifeless ugly olive drab. It is equally as invisible, more attractive in appearance, no easier soiled, and easier to clean when soiled.
The only article of cadet uniform that seems out of harmony with the rest, is the cadet cap. This headgear has no distinction and should be abolished. It replaced, some years ago, a forage cap patterned after those worn in the Civil War, but I do not think that the change was any improvement. The visor is too drooping, and the crown, too narrow and rigid, is clumsily fashioned. The majority of the cadets look as if they had put on by mistake, their small brother’s hat, giving them a vaudeville appearance, in some cases as ludicrous as Weber and Fields.
The day’s work of the Powers that Be, however, includes so many more important things than the appearance of a cadet cap that the style of the cap passes by unnoticed. The great aim of the Academy is to mold a man’s character and train him to think. The Superintendent must constantly keep his finger on the Academy’s pulse to see that these aims are being successfully carried out. To the cadets he is as far removed from their life as were the gods of Olympus from the common mortals. Not that the Superintendent wishes it so, but because of circumstances. The big problems of the Academy occupy so much of his time that he comes into comparatively little personal contact with the cadets. Like Henry IV., by being seldom seen, he is, when he appears, like a comet wondered at by them who tell each other: