Uniform and Equipment Guidelines
These guidelines are meant to give an outline of the unifomrs, arms and accoutrements of the average soldier in the Army of Northern Virginia. The historicial fact that most soldiers' equipage varied from ont to the next due to time and place of issue not withstanding, certain commonalities did exist. The suggestions contained here are to be utilized as a starting point for the new recruit who can later fine tune his impression as he gains knowledge and experience. Items will be isted in a descending order of preference, based on what was most commonly found in period photographs and descriptions.
We have also included a vendor list made up of vendors, members of our group have been using and aprove of their wares. We only include vendors whose wares we have seen personally. There are many quality vendors that we did not include on this list but that is the reason why. If and when we do see their wares and approve of them, we would of course update our vendor list.
Section One: Clothing
HEADGEAR:
1. Broad brimmed slouch hat, either black or light to medium brown. These civilian hats should be lined as well as having a ribbion around the crown.
2. Kepis or forage hats. May be of a single color or trimmed with blue, indicating infantry. Gray or wool jean cloth in shades from light gray to "butternut". A few federal kepis in the ranks would also be rather auhentic.
JACKETS:
1. Richmond Depot "Type II" issue shell jacket. Medium to dark Gray wool or Jean cloth with block I buttons. Some jackets also contained Virginia state seal buttons or English Import Script "I" buttons.
2. Richmond Depot "Type III" issue shell jacket. Same colors and buttons as type II.
3. Tait jacket-imported from the Peter Tait Company of Limerick, Ireland. Late War issue only.
4. Single brested frock coat-meduim to dark gral wool or jean cloth, trimmed or piped with blue.
5. Sack coat-medium to dark gray or brown wool or jean cloth.
SHIRTS:
A variety of materials and patterns of cloth. Plaids and checks were very common. Most likely to be a civilian pattern shirt with either a banded collar or a falling collar. What ever you do , do not buy one of those "white sutler shirts". They were uncommon and very rarely seen in period photos.
VESTS:
An optional item, but would recommend a civillian vest. Military style vest wer not issued to enlisted troops, but were private purchases.
UNDERGARMENT:
Your choice, but again would recommend purchase or manufacture of authentic period drawers to help with chaffing problems in the summer and to keep you warmer for the winter events.
TROUSERS:
1. Richmond Depot Trousers
2. Federal Kersey Trousers
3. Civilian Trousers.
BRACES:
Canvas or pillow ticking types. DO NOT get the elastic ones. They were not common until the 1870's and 1880's.
BROGANS:
Brogans, either black or brown leather. May or may not have heel plates, your choice.
SOCKS:
Made of Wool or heavy knit cotton.
SECTION TWO: ACCOUTREMENTS
CARTRIDGE BOX:
Federal m1855, black leather or CS copy in brown leather. May be carried on a sling of matching leather or canvas, either painted or natural. The tins could either be of the Federal two tin type or the Confederate single tin type. No brass box plate. May also be worn on the waist belt. Imported Enfield box was issued with many of the Enfield rifled muskets.
CAP POUCH:
1. Federal early war "shield" front type made of black leather.
2. Confederate made Richmond depot cap pouch. Made either of black or brown leather, or of painted canvas.
3. Enfield imported cap pouch. If you have a Enfield Cartrige box your kit should also contain the Enfield cap pouch. They were most often issued in complete sets.
WAIST BELT:
Black or brown leather, painted canvas. Rectanglar Virginia or Rectangular CS/CSA belt buckle, Georgia Frame belt buckle, or imported English Snake buckle. Again if you have an Enfeld Box and cap pouch your kit should also include the English Snake buckle. Do not use the Oval CS/CSA buckle for our impression, they were more common in the Western Theatre.
HAVERSACK:
1. Federal "tarred" style
2. Canvas version of the Federal style haversack without the tarrring applied.
3. Homespun haversack made of carpet/pillow ticking material.
CANTEEN:
1. Tin drum style.
3. Federal smoothside -might be carried on a sling of leather, web material or canvas. Could be left uncovered or covered in brown wool or wool jeans.
3. Federal 'Bull's-eye" style -might be carried on a sling of leather, web material or canvas. Could be left uncovered or covered in brown wool or wool jeans.
4. Wooded Canteen. -The most common wooden canteen was the Gardner pattern.
5. Mexican War U.S. Tin drum style.
KNAPSACK/BEDROLL:
Personal choice as to which you prefer. Knapsacks would most likely be the Federal M1853-55 double-bag soft pack. Bedrolls could be horse-collar or tail-chaser/weed-hopper. Contents could include spare clothes, blanket/quilt, one-half or a shelter-half tent, gum blanket/poncho. Personal items belonged in here not in your haversack or pockets.
SECTION THREE: MUSKET
1. Enfield rifle musket, Pattern 1853, with bayonet, scabbard and throg.
2. Springfield musket, model 1842, with bayonet and scabbard.
3. Springfield rifle musket, model 1861/1863, with bayonet and scabbard.
SECTON FOUR: TENTAGE, COOKING, AND EATING UTENSILS
Tentage:
1. Very Early War: Wedge tent in the Military Street.
2. Mid to Late War:: Shelter half (to be put together with a pards shelter half to
create a "dog tent".
Cooking/Eating Utensils:
1. Tin cup and or plate of period manufacture, boiler with or without lid, sheet
metal frying pan, spoon, fork, pocket knife. With experience you will find what
suits you best.
"A soldier in the Army of Northern Virginia was fortunate when he had his flour, meat, sugar, and coffee all at the same time and in proper quantity."
Carlton McCarthy
Confederate Artillaryman 1861-1865
Get your own Free Home Page
This Page Hosted by