Long Gray Line Cadet Uniform Factory Lesson with Learfield Sports

[wjb8184]

Apparently General Winfield Scott himself, in his 1864 memoirs, was the source of the Battle of Chippawa legend as regards the origin of Cadet Gray: Vol 1, p 129. Apparently this legend was perpetuated until National Archives research uncovered the 1815 letter from West Point to the War Department as regards recommended uniform rationale (gray was cheaper). More details: vfw7539.org/Bean%20Navy.htm

[dpuiu1986]

Thanks for sharing! This is very interesting information. Appreciate it. 

[wjb8184]

William Harris Crawford was the name of the Secretary of War mentioned at 7:42.

[wjb8184]

Outstanding tour of the factory! Just to be clear, starting around 6:18, there's a discussion about why the cadet uniform is gray. Apparently solid documentation follow below as to why the cadet uniform is gray: because it was cheaper!

U.S.M.A. Corps of Cadets, The Military Images, Sep/Oct 2000 by McAfee, Michael J.

"Cadets, U.S. Military Academy, 1816-1817," Military Uniforms in America, Vol II, Years of Growth 1796-1851, Company of Military Historians, 1977

vfw7539.org/Bean%20Navy.htm