The officers in this group represent different branches of the United States Military Service, as is at once seen from the different corps colors on these uniforms. The officer in the left foreground, with crimson and white trouser stripe, crimson and white trimmings on coat and hat, belongs to the Medical Corps. The caduceus device is the ornament of the Medical Corps worn on cap or coat. As shown by the three chevrons on arm and diamond shaped device enclosed below, he is a first class Hospital Sergeant. The mounted officer conversing with him in the center, belongs to the Signal Corps, as shown by his orange trouser stripe, also coat and hat trimmings. He also wears three orange chevrons on arm and knot at the bottom, indicating him to be a first class Sergeant. The soldier at the extreme left in the background, with gun over shoulder, has orange trimmings on uniform but no mark of rank, indicating him to be a Private of the Signal Corps. At the right of the officer, mounted in the foreground, is a Post Commissary Sergeant as shown by his uniform trimmings--three chevrons and crescent on arm. The soldier in the foreground at the extreme right talking to him also has three chevrons but his corps color is seen to be buff and the corps device a wheel, key and eagle ornament, showing him to be a Post Quarter-Master Sergeant.
As shown by the yellow trouser stripes, coat, hat and saddle trimmings of these men, all are officers of the Cavalry Corps in their modern full dress uniforms. In the foreground, dismounted, is a Sergeant, as shown by his three yellow chevrons on coat sleeves. He wears one yellow Service Stripe on forearm showing that he has served one year in the Calvary Corps. He is conversing with a mounted Cavalryman, whom, we see from the three chevrons on coat sleeve with enclosing device beneath, to be a Squadron Sergeant Major. As seen from the scarlet and white stripe and the yellow service stripe on forearm, he has served one year in the Engineers and one year in the Cavalry. At the extreme left in the background and mounted, is a Farrier of Cavalry, as shown by the yellow horseshoe device on upper arm. Next to him to the right with the saddler knife device on upper arm is a Saddler of Cavalry. The third mounted soldier is a First Lieutenant of Cavalry. A First Lieutenant also wears one bar on shoulder to show his rank. At the extreme right, the soldier approaching bearing the flag, is a sergeant, and next to him a Private of Cavalry. The Corps color of Cavalry is yellow and the Corps device worn on cape or coat collar is two crossed sabres.
All of these men belong to the Artillery Corps and are here shown in their modern full dress. The officer mounted on grey horse in the foreground, as shown by the two-stripe Austrian knot on forearm, is the Captain. In the left background, mounted, is a Trumpeter of Artillery. The first man at the right of the Captain with crossed cannon device on cap, but with no other rank designation is a Private of Artillery. The second man to the right of the mounted Captain, and receiving instructions from him, as shown by the three chevrons on arm and diamond shaped device below, is a First Sergeant. The third man at the right of the Captain in the foreground is a Corporal. The man in the foreground on the extreme right with three chevrons on arm, and horse's head below indicates that he is a stable Sergeant. The officer mounted on the brown horse in the right background is a Second Lieutenant. He wears shoulder knot but the Second Lieutenant has no other device to indicate his rank.. The officer on grey horse in the background, holding the red corps flag with crossed cannon device has three chevrons on his coat sleeve, indicating him to be a Sergeant. The corps color of Artillery is scarlet and the corps device worn on cap or coat, is two crossed cannon.
Here are shown the modern olive drab service uniforms worn by officers. The mounted officer, in the foreground is recognized by the three stars on epaulettes, also, on his saddle-cloth as the Lieutenant-General. The foreground officer, standing in front of the General's horse, with one white bar on shoulder is seen from this mark of rank to be a First Lieutenant of Infantry. The officer on white horse, in the right background, as shown by his two buff bars on shoulder, also, buff saddlecloth trimmings, is a Captain of the Quartermaster's Department. Riding beside him is a Major of Cavalry. Although not clearly shown he has a gold leaf on shoulder strap. In the left background, as shown by his yellow trimmings is a Trumpeter of Cavalry.
All of the uniforms here shown are of the Infantry Corps, showing its modern full dress. The corps ornament for Infantry is two crossed rifles on cap or coat. Mounted at the extreme left is a Major as shown by the stripe Austrian knot on forearm. His rank is also indicated by a gold leaf worn on the shoulder. Riding next to him at the right is a Lieutenant-Colonel as indicated by his four stripe Austrian knot. The officer in the right foreground, as shown by his five-fold Austrian knot on coat sleeve, is the Colonel. In the background, approaching at the head of his company is an officer with a two stripe Austrian knot on sleeve, indicating him to be the Captain. The corps colors of the Infantry are sky-blue and white.
At the left of the group, with foot on the step, is the Quarter-Master General. His corps color would be buff and corps ornament a wheel sword, key and eagle device, and the other officer next to him, standing on the steps and facing him, as shown by his three stars on coat sleeves, is the Lieutenant-General. He wears the modern winter overcoat. The officer in the right foreground, as shown by single star on sleeve, is also a Brigadier-General. The hood formerly attached to coat as in the case, has been dispensed with. The officer on the extreme right in the background, as shown by yellow trouser stripe and coat lining, is an officer of Cavalry. To the left of this officer is the Adjutant-General.
The three West Point cadets in the foreground wear the full dress uniforms of the Military Academy. In the right background with white trousers and crossed body belts and shako hat with pompon is a private cadet in full dress standing at attention and being saluted by a Captain of Infantry in full dress. In the left background, the two cadets wearing caps, white body belts and black trimmings on cap, coat and trousers, are in dress uniform. The cadet between them with pointed gray hat, blue shirt and leggings, wears the cadet service uniform.
The "shako" hat was still worn in this period of 1850's, but somewhat changed in style due to influence of French military dress. The pompons were shortened into a round ball varying in color according to the rank and corps of its wearer. As Saxony blue had been made the Infantry color, the soldier at the extreme right is recognized as an Infantryman with blue coat and hat trimmings. The chevrons on the arm of the Infantryman shown that he is an orderly Sergeant. The solider with whom he is playing checkers, with hat and coat trimmings in green is recognized as a Rifleman. The red pompon, and hat and coat trimmings on the other solider seated show he is a Light Artilleryman. He wears "scales" instead of epaulettes on his shoulders. Next to the Artilleryman, standing and holding a bugle, is a bugler. The orange pompon, hat and coat trimmings show him to be a musician of the Dragoons. Standing at the extreme left of the group with yellow pompon hat, coat and trouser trimmings, is an Engineer. On his hat is the brass castle, the symbol for this branch. The chevrons on his sleeve show he is Sergenat-Major. He and the Infantryman with blue trimmings, wear crimson worsted sashes, and carry swords, being non-commissioned officers. The stripes on the lower arm of the Infantryman are Service Stripes. These Service Stripes have been revived in 1835, having been first adopted by Washington during the Revolution and afterward discontinued. In the background are guards, musicians, etc. with hat and coat trimmings in the colors of their respective corps.
In the view here, we recognize the left from the scarlet color of his uniform trimmings, his chevrons, Service Stripe and pompon, and orderly Sergeant of Heavy Artillery who has filled one term of enlistment. He is receiving instructions from his Colonel. The white-haired man in the right background with overcoat lined with crimson, is a field officer of Ordnance, crimson being the color of the Ordnance Corps as scarlet for Artillery. Behind this officer, at the extreme right, as shown by his chevrons and the color of uniform trimmings is an Ordnance Sergeant. Conversing with the grey-haired Ordnance officer are two other officers. One has the device of a castle on his hat hand, and the other that of a cross cannon showing them to be officer of Engineers and of Light Artillery, respectively. The Army during this period was small and widely scattered. After the Mexican War and up to the Civil War, there were only occasional fights with the Indians and the Mormon Campaign. The active Army men of this period were the Engineers who were building forts, surveying a route for a railroad to the Pacific, and also for cleaning out and enlarging the channels of our waterways. The Ordnance branch of the Army rendered great service to our country during this period.