Here's a new one that I don't think we've run across before...Deputy U.S. Marshals of the Western District of Arkansas being issued uniforms by U.S. Marshal Valentine Dell at Fort Smith:

Daily Arkansas Gazette, Little Rock, Arkansas, Friday, September 2, 1881
Fort Smith Notes
...The deputy United States marshals, jailor, guards, and other attaches at the United States Courthouse, today received their handsome new navy-blue uniforms, as provided for them by United States Marshal Dell.

Diron, never heard of uniforms for the deputies before. This is a new one. Love to see a picture of someone in a uniform.

The more I got to thinking about this, it does seem that I heard about this at one time possibly from one of the park rangers at Fort Smith. If I recall correctly, the plan was abandoned due to the deputies not wanting to be easily identified while in the field. Wise choice!

I believe I found out why uniforms were ordered. After the assasination of President James Garfield, there was a ceremony and a parade of federal officials in Fort Smith. The Deputy U.S. Marshals wore blue uniforms in the parade. I wish someone could find a picture of this. According to the newspaper story I read it was a huge event.