Cockades in the American Revolution
In April 250 years ago, "the shot heard round the world" began the American Revolution. So this week, let's take a look at the cockades worn during the war that changed the face of the world map!
In the battles of Lexington and Concord that occurred on April 19, 1775, there was no official American army or cockade. The British cockade, of course, was the Hanoverian black, with various mercenary troops wearing the cockade of their respective countries.
The American army was founded on June 14, 1775 by order of the Continental Congress. A few weeks later, George Washington was named the first Commander in Chief of the Army. His job was not just fighting the British nation from which we were seceding. He also had to take a motley assortment of state militias, privately raised regiments, and volunteers from around the colonies and meld them into one unified fighting machine.
Colors for Rank
One of Washington's first orders in the summer of 1775 after taking command, was that cockades would be worn by officers to show rank. He designated that “the field officers may have red or pink colored cockades in their hats, the captains yellow or buff, and the subalterns green.” This easy and cheap method of identifying officers (instead of buying new uniforms for everyone) saved the Colonies' lean budgets.
Black Cockades
America became an independent nation when we seceded from Great Britain on July 4, 1776. Before that, we were a colony of Great Britain. The cockade of King George of the House of Hanover was black. Thus the national British cockade was also black.
Even though Americans were at war with Great Britain, they still felt an affinity for their mother nation. After all, many of them were born there and still had relatives there. In fact, when George Washington's army was camped at Valley Forge during the winter of 1777-1778, the officers were still officially toasting King George. It was natural that an American military cockade would be the Hanoverian color black. So, after the brief period of using colored cockades for rank, the army reverted to wearing black.
Black and White Cockades
America needed allies in the war with Great Britain, then the reigning power of the seas. The United States signed the Treaty of Alliance with France on February 6, 1778 and French troops entered the American War for Independence. At first their participation was mostly on the seas, but by 1779 they were landing troops on American soil.
The national cockade of France was white. In 1780, as a symbol of the two nations’ alliance, General George Washington established that the American military cockade would be an Alliance Cockade – black with a white center. French troops likewise wore an Alliance Cockade of white with a black center.
This painting by John Trumbull shows the French troops (left) and the American troops (right) at the surrender of Lord Cornwallis - all wearing the Alliance Cockades.
Symbol of Attachment
The black and white cockade became an emblem of the American War for Independence for many years after the war ended. Even during the Civil War eighty years later, the occasional black and white cockade was worn as a reminder of America's first War for Independence.
A Philadelphia newspaper said on July 4, 1798, “It has been repeatedly recommended, that our citizens wear in their hats on the day of Independence, the American Cockade, (which is a Rose, composed of black ribbon, with a white button, or fastening) and that the Ladies should add to the attraction of their dress...this symbol of their attachment to the government.”
So if you want to make a patriotic statement, you can wear our modern patriotic colors of red, white and blue - or go with our historic colors of black and white!
Need A Revolutionary War Cockade?
I offer both black and black-and-white cockades for the War of Independence. I also offer a Revolutionary War Education Kit about cockades. And last, but not least, check out my cockades for Revolutionary War heritage organizations!
See all of these items at this link!
My Shop Has Reopened!
I had a lovely vacation with friends and family and thoroughly enjoyed our church’s Easter celebration this weekend. I am (at the moment!) caught up on orders so I have reopened my online shop once again.
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Thanks for reading... see you next week!
Regards,
Heather
