The simple answer to your question is ... frankly nobody knows ! The less simple answer is
that before the middle of the 19th century textiles were dyed using plant matter or a few selected
minerals ( Anniline or chemical dyes weren't discovered until 1850-something and then only
accidentally ) The major point is that the resultant colours of clothes were different to today .
Blue for example was derived from the Indigo plant - it therfore had a slight brownish red caste
and was highly fugitive. A paint manufacturer or fellow painter might in good faith suggest
something - but it couldn't possibly be definitive. It would have to be a well intentioned guess
.... so back to the short answer. ( Bugger, eh ?)
All this is of no use to you, so I wonder if I might suggest a different approach. Create in your
mind a little scenario about the figure you're working on. For example, is he an officer or a
trooper ? His clothes would be not just different in detailed insignia and stuff, but would be of a
different quality. Officers' clothing was generally of a better quality and by inferrence a better
colour - other ranks tended to have cheaper inferior stuff which faded quickly and by inferrence
again wore thin. Is he on campaign or in review ? Is it winter or summer ? Fredericksburg
happened in the winter while Gettysburg happened in the summer. All these factors clearly
effect the choice of colours. What becomes apparent is this wonderful freedom you have in
your choice of tints and shades of what at first appeared to be just a simple blue.
Hope this helps a bit
