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Fort Scott National Historic SitePhotograph of Powder Magazine and Officers Quarters at Fort Scott
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Fort Scott National Historic Site
Dragoon Soldier-Tools of the Trade

The tools in this case are the uniform components and the accouterments of the dragoon soldier. Immediately below is a picture of a soldier in the dress uniform of the soldier, further down is a soldier dressed in the fatigue uniform. The dress uniform would have been worn for formal military occasions, such as guard duty and dress parade. The fatigue uniform was the work uniform of the soldiers.

 
Dragoon soldier in dress uniform
Dragoon Soldier in Dress Uniform

Dress uniform components shown here consist of:

  • Shako-Tall hat with a horsehair plume-Rope goes around neck underneath shoulder and hooks on to top left button of jacket. Shako also has chin strap. Dress hat of the dragoons.
  • Dress Jacket-Wool, dark blue with double breasted row of buttons.
  • Pants-Made of wool with yellow stripe, sergeants would have two yellow stripes on pants.
  • Boots -Made of black leather.
  • Saber Belt-White, made of leather, used to strap saber on, also doubles as waist belt.
  • Saber-Edged, sword like weapon used to fight from horseback.
 
Dragoon in Fatigue Uniform
Dragoon in Fatigue Uniform

Fatigue uniform components shown here consist of

  • Fatigue Cap or Wheel Cap-Made of wool with leather visor-the everyday cap of the soldier.
  • Fatigue Jacket-Made of wool, dark blue with yellow-piping-this was the every day jacket of the dragoons.
  • Boots -Made of black leather.
  • Pants-Made of wool with yellow stripe, sergeants would have two yellow stripes on pants.
  • Musketoon-Smoothbore weapon-used in combat on foot.
  • Cap Box-Used to hold percussion caps, made of black leather.
  • Saber Belt-White, made of leather, used to strap saber on, also doubles as waist belt.
  • Saber-Edged, sword like weapon used to fight from horseback.
 
 
Dragoon Guidon
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Officers Quarters that later became the Goodlander Home for Children  

Did You Know?
After Fort Scott was abandoned by the army in 1853, the buildings were sold at public auction, and the fort became the town of Fort Scott. One of the officers' quarters eventually became the Goodlander Home for Children. For about fifty years, orphans and other needy children were cared for here.

Last Updated: February 03, 2008 at 17:58 EST