Colour details are a bit of a problem for Haiti at this period, the best I have are a couple of brief contemporary descriptions. Haitian officers are described as wearing "blue french-style uniforms, covered with gold lace and braid". The rank and file, on the other hand, wore much simpler uniforms of dark blue or white cotton, the blue uniforms "fading out to a multitude of different shades." A 1916 article in the National Geographic magazine notes that "khaki uniforms are beginning to appear in the Haitian Army" [actually. they seem to have "begun to appear" a few years earlier]. Fig. 1. INFANTRY N.C.O. 1916 The photo from which this figure was taken shows an infantry battalion in formation, apparently in "full dress", since the officers wear their "dress" uniforms. The other ranks wear an assortment of blue and white uniforms in a variety of shades. The N.C.O. depicted wears an entirely white cotton uniform with brass buttons, the gold rank stripes, backed with a darker colour, are worn diagonally on the lower sleeves in the French manner, but appear to have been sewn on wrong [normally the stripes would have the higher end to the rear]. Kepis depicted appear to be two-tone, with the top a darker shade than the band, the top of the band and vertical. seams trimmed with a rather wide very light toned braid, probably white, [if the French pattern holds good the kepis would probably have had a red top and dark blue band]. This individual, like a number of others in the formation, wears what appear to be "sport shoes" of white with brown tor caps. Unfortunately, all rifles are carried as depicted, with the hand covering the breech, so it is impossible to tell what they are. Fig. 2. INFANTRY LIEUTENANT, FULL DRESS, 1916 From the same photo as fig. 1. The kepi has a dark [red] top and a broad shiny light coloured band [gold lace would be my guess], the double pompoms on the front appear to be white. Virtually all officer's kepis in these photos and many of the men's as well, are cut in the "Saumur Style", that is, rather higher at the rear than the front, often with a rather pronounced "waist" around the middle. The tunic appears to be entirely of dark blue wool [the collar and cuffs appear to be of the same shade as the rest of the coat], with gilt buttons, contre-epaulettes and some sort of device on the collar [it might be a flaming grenade, though it is difficult to tell for certain]. Two gold rank stripes on a dark backing are sewn to the outer side only of the lower sleeves. White linen or cotton trousers, black shoes or boots and what appears to be a black 'Leather bandolier/pouch-belt over the right shoulder. Fig. 3. INFANTRYMAN 1916 From a photo showing a mixed group of infantrymen in what is presumably "service dress" [which is virtually identical to "full dress"]. The figure depicted here wears a rather faded dark blue cotton uniform with brass buttons and dark [probably black] shoes. The coat is worn partly open showing a white shirt underneath. The kepi appears to be of plain dark blue wool, though other men in the group wear the two tone kepi trimmed with white tape. The uniforms worn within the group in the photo are a mixture of white and various shades of blue cotton, with possibly a couple of khaki drill uniforms [or could these be simply very faded blue?]. Some men wear a mixture of white and blue uniform items, there is considerable variation in the cut of the coats; that depicted here with square-cut front corners to the skirt and no pockets seems to have been the "regulation' item, but some coats have rounded- off front corners and from one to three pockets added, of various uniforms. At least 2 men wear what looks like civilian coats, most wear dark shoes, one wears two tone "sports shoes" and two are barefoot. None of the men in these photos wear any sort of belts or cartridge pouches, maybe the cartridges were carried in the pockets? Fig. 4. SENIOR OFFICER [LIEUT. COLONEL], UNDRESS UNIFORM 1916 Dark undress kepi of "saumur form" with rank lace circling the upper part, 2 vertical lace stripes on front, rear and sides. Entirely dark blue frock coat or "redingote" with 3 rows of gilt buttons, gold collar devices [grenades] and gold epaulettes with short buillion fringe, rank lace worn horizontally on the lower sleeve running from front to rear seams only. White gloves. Trousers of a darker shade than the coat [considering the panchromatic film used at this period, my guess would be red trousers]. Fig. 5. UNIDENTIFIED OFFICER IN DRESS UNIFORM, 1916 From the same photo. A rather battered looking bicorne hat with a light coloured feather on the left side. Coatee of a 'Lighter shade than other coats in the photo, apparently without facings [my guess would be a medium blue', with metallic buttons, epaulettes and some sort of embroidery on the collar. Hicrh white shirt collar showing above. Dark [probably red] trousers. This uniform, if my guesses as to the colours is anywhere close, bears a striking resemblance to that of an Ordonnance Officer of the Emperor Napoleon III [i.e. light blue coatee with silver buttons and embroidery, red trousers'; if it was indeed copied from this, then this officer may well have served in a similar function to the President of Haiti? Haitian Uniforms 1916-1920 1-5 Large Illlustration (91K) Fig. 6. GENERAL, APPARENTLY SERVING AS AN AIDE TO PRESIDENT DARTIGUENAVE, 1916 [from 2 different photgraphs] Kepi with red top, dark blue band, gold lace and 2 rows of gold oak leaf embroidery circling the band [virtually identical to the French model]. Tunic and breeches of khaki drill with gilt buttons and three stars of rank [probably silver] on the lower sleeve. Black gaiters and shoes. A dark coloured band on the upper left, sleeve; unclear if this is a mourning band or some sort of staff "Brassard". Khaki drill uniforms appear to have become more common after the U.S. takeover, quite probably in imitation of the U.S. Marines ? Fig. 7. CAVALRYMAN ESCORTING A SENIOR OFFICER, 1916 I simply couldn't resist this "beau sabreur" on his fiery steed. His kepi appears to be 2 tone [red with blue band], trimmed with white tape [vertical tape on front and presumably rear only, none on the sides. Khaki drilljacket and trousers [or conceiveably a very faded blue?] Winchester carbine. Fig. 8. TWO HAITIAN REVOLUTIONARIES ["CACOS"], circa 1911 From the painting "Les Cacos de Laconte, Juillet 1911", by the Haitian artist Philome Obin, which depicts the Revolutionary Army [the "Cacos", the term also means "Bandit" in Haitian] of Cincinnatus Leconte crossing the Hyppolite bridge near Port au Prince. The "Cacos" wear a mixture of civilian clothing and Haitian Army uniforms, distinguished by a red scarf tied around the neck, the upper left arm or the crown of the hat. The uniforms depicted are mostly dark blue cotton With a scattering of khaki uniforms of either a brownish or a "sandy" shade, demonstrating the continuity of the uniforms illustrated in the photographs. The figure on the left wears a straw hat [the most common headgear in the painting] with a blue scarf with white polka dots tied around the crown, red scarf around the neck. His tunic is of a pale "sandy" shade of khaki, worn with cut-off dark blue cottontrousers. What is probably a dark brown blanket roll slung across the back by a strap. Remington "Rolling Block" rifle with the stock cut down as a "sporting rifle". The other figure wears a brown felt slouch hat and a dark blue cotton uniform, the tunic worn open to show a pale blue shirt, red scarf tied around upper left arm. Fig. 9. HAITIAN GENDARME, 1920 Following the take-over of the country by the U.S. Marines [in 1915] the Haitian Army was gradually phased-out and replaced by a U.S. trained and equipped Gendarmerie. Broad-brimmed hat [probablv of brownish- khaki], rather similar to the U.S. "Campaign Hat" but with a lower more rounded crown, a metal badge [design unclear] worn on front, U.S. s-Uile cords and "acorns" [colour unknown] circling the crown. Khaki drill shirt and breeches, high [almost knee length] light khaki canvas "leggings", brown shoes and leather waist-belt, U.S. Model 1903 Springfield Rifle. Some individuals in the formation shown in the photo wear shorter [about mid-calf length] "leggings" of a dark shiny material [possibly leather"', could these have been mounted Gendarmes]. Their uniform is otherwise identical, except that one individual has a curious device like an interlaced knot on the collar, the significance of which is, as yet, unknown. A U.S. Marine Officer inspecting the formation wears the same uniform as the men, with mid-calf length "Aviator's boots" and a revolver in a civilian-type holster on the right hip on a leather belt. Haitian Uniforms 1916-1920 6-9 Large Illlustration (93K) Back to Table of Contents -- El Dorado Vol V No. 2 Back to El Dorado List of Issues Back to MagWeb Master Magazine List © Copyright 1992 by The South and Central American Military Historians Society This article appears in MagWeb (Magazine Web) on the Internet World Wide Web. Other military history articles and gaming articles are available at http://www.magweb.com