At left is a photo of 3rd Sargent D.L. Kokernott of Co. I (Gonzalez Invincibles). This is the only available documentation of an enlisted man wearing what was apparently an early uniform of the 2nd Texas.
   He appears to be wearing a fatigue blouse of a fine, dark material (probably wool- it does not have the coarser look of jean cloth) and trousers of a considerably lighter shade. He is holding a Federal Model 1840 NCO sword with an NCO's baldric and eagle breastplate over his shoulder.
   His accoutraments are apparently from prewar federal stores; his chevrons do not fit any Union pattern. There is record of Col. Moore issuing Federal sack coats from captured stores [Ron Field, Uniforms of the Civil War, Lyons Press, p.217]. He appears to be wearing one of these with the collar turned up.
   We only recently came across this photo in the Texas Heritage Center at Hill College in Hillsborough. The uniform description below as outlined in our bylaws is based on a more generic western confederate impression, and is closer to what the 2nd Texas would have worn in mid- to late war.
Uniform Guidelines of the 2nd Texas Infantry, N-SSA (259-DS)
A. Hat: Civilian hat with brim preferred, preferably with ribbon bound edge [1]. A black slouch hat with a flat crown was most common. A Texas star hat insignia is acceptable, but not required, as are blue, tasseled hat cords. A gray kepi is optional, either plain or with a blue branch of service band [2].

B. Jacket: Several options exist, depending on the time period:

1. 1861- March 1862: federal sack coat with the collar turned up with light colored civilian pants [3,4].
2.  April 1862 on: Undyed jackets (and trousers) of wool; the 2nd Texas wore these at Shiloh [5].
3. 1862-1865: Houston or Shreveport Depot jacket-- Cadet Grey Kersey or Taupe "Drab" Jeans Jacket, 6 or 7 Block "I" buttons, low curved collar, length 2" below hips, osnaburg lining [6].

Cloth need not be same shade as trousers. Wooden buttons, script "I" buttons are also acceptable as are Texas star buttons. Columbus or San Antonio Depot jackets are also acceptable, as are other shell jackets from western depots [7] and sack coats.

C. Trousers: Confederate style foot or civilian pattern trousers [8]. As described by UK re-enactor Bob Denton:  Guidelines for trousers are much more liberal than with other uniform parts, and here especially is where personal taste is allowed to influence attire.  Nevertheless, any and all trousers should be made of:

1. Wool/cotton jean cloth; or...
2. All wool twill or kersey material; or...
3. Heavy 100% cotton drill (nearly the same grade as tent canvas); all cotton jean cloth (similar to denim); or...
4.) Linen/wool or linen/cotton mix.

Trouser colors should be dull.  Woolens may be cadet gray, gray, blue, brown or black.  White cotton trousers should be dyed blue, to reproduce the color of indigo, the most popular dye for cotton trousers at the time and still used in modern denim jeans.

Finally, trousers should not have belt loops or leg creases.  The fly and waistband should be relatively narrow (i.e. not more than 1.0 to 1.25 inches).   The front edge of the trousers should reach the navel, rising towards the rear to come up beneath the back edge of the jacket or vest.  The pockets should be side-slit or especially mule-ear (French pockets).  All trousers must have button flies.  Either tie-backs or belt backs are acceptable but belt back trousers are preferred.  Buttons should be made of either bone, pewter or black lacquered metal. [9]. Period suspenders of any color are preferred.

D. Shirt: pullover pattern of the period [10]. Elaborate homemade fatigue and battle-shirts (military, check & tape, or "circus rider" style, worn without suspenders) are also acceptable [11].

E. Shoes/boots: Depot Brogans (pegged, double-thick soled, straight lasts or crooked), or British Import Brogans (sewn and/or nailed soles -- not pegged) are preferred [12]. Shoes or boots are to be made of black or brown leather (black preferred). [13]

F. Cap pouch & cartridge box: Black or russet leather. Some cartridge boxes were made by the Houston and Baton Rouge Depots [14]. Any documented US, confederate, or imported pattern box [15] is acceptable. Placing the cartridge and cap boxes both on the waist-belt is preferred, as cartridge box slings were rare in the Trans-Mississippi [16] (but slings are acceptable for use).

G. Belt/buckle: Texas Star belt plate is preferred, but other plates and frame buckles used in the western theater are acceptable [17]. The most common belt type for this region was of the simple 'harness style' roller buckle variety, 1 3/4" wide belt [18].

H. Rifle (musket): Any N-SSA approved arm is acceptable. "The most commonly available weapons were 1842 Springfield Muskets and Enfield Rifles" [19].

I. Other equipment allowed but optional: Haversack [20]: plain linen or white cotton jeans, with button closure preferred; captured Union black linseed finish acceptable. Canteen: 6" flat tin drum canteen preferred [21]; shaped or Gardner pattern wood or converted federal style, without cloth covering [22] is also acceptable. Bayonet: any style may be used as a ramrod rest, but D-guard Bowie knife or smaller side knife is also acceptable [23].
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