A lot of Irish Catholics in the North agreed to fight in the war to preserve the Union, but many German Catholics in Pennsylvania agreed to fight because they opposed slavery. Catholics were encouraged to wear the Blue Uniforms in order to “Preserve the Union.” This gave Catholics a chance in history to unite and display a sense of loyalty towards a country that didn’t care too much for their beliefs. The uniforms of the Civil War helped distinguish between the Union soldiers of the North and the Confederate South. Unfortunately, uniforms were mainly provided by states, towns, and the wealthy which lead to different styles and colors on both sides. The official color of the North was blue and the South was gray. This uniform is housed in the Smithsonian Museum of American History. This cavalry jacket and hat belonged to John Singleton Mosby (1833-1916), a Confederate cavalry battalion commander during the Civil War.