(Revised at Winter 20005 Meeting) Jacket: Preferred is a "Columbus Depot" shell jacket or common shell jacket or sack coat in medium Confederate gray. Jean cloth and butternut is also acceptable. Button holes should be hand stitched (over the machine sewing). CSA or Confederate Engineer Corps buttons should be used. Trousers: The sky blue foot pattern (Federal) was the most common and preferred type. Grey, jean or butternut is also acceptable. There are several pocket and rear closure styles to choose from. Civilian trousers, of wool, cotton, or linen are acceptable. Get them at least two sizes too big. Remember, they need to be baggy and they will shrink. Suspenders should be of linen or ticking with flat tabs and japanned or brass buckles. No Elastic. Shirts: White cotton broadcloth was common. Any correct style of neck closure and pocket variation is acceptable. Civilian shirts with a large variety of patterns and colors were worn. Socks: White, Blue or Gray knit wool. Shoes: Brogans are acceptable, but Boots (period) are preferable for our Impression. No Cowboy or combat boots! Brogans and boots are somewhat expensive but they will last forever if properly cared for. Hats: Black, gray or brown wool felt Slouch hats of high quality are preferred. They should be lined and have a 1/2 inch ribbon sewn to the crown and brim. Other choices would be, straw skimmers or kepis. Cowboy hats, hillbilly hats and Indiana Jones hats are not correct. Kepis should match jacket color . Leather: Waist belt, cap pouch and cartridge box. Any correct issue type is acceptable. The belt should be heavy leather, two inches wide. The belt plate may be an inverted US or CS or CSA or State plate. The belt was worn over the navel, not on resting on the hips. Belts held up your accouterments, not your britches. Cartridge boxes must have tin box included. If you are not carrying a musket in your position, then a cartridge box and cap pouch is not required. Note: Officers and NCO’s will have slightly different uniform standards and will have proper buttons on their uniforms 3. Revised Equipment Guidelines: Canteen: Any common style is acceptable. Wooden canteens should be made of hardwood, not pine. Stainless steel usually works the best. Most colors of covers are acceptable. Cup: Any heavy tin cup or mucket will do. Stainless steel (defarbed) is recommended. Haversack: Any common issue or homemade style is acceptable. Homemade ones are cheap and easy. Haversacks carry your eating utensils and rations. Utensils: Use tin or stainless steel! Cast iron is to heavy. Grey or black speckled enamel is fine, blue speckeled is cowboy era and not acceptable. A small skillet, plate and cup should be all you need. Forks should be three or four prong with bone or wood handles. Knives should have a straight taper, rounded end, and wood or bone handle. Fiddle back spoons were common. Musket: Due to the great variety of weapons issued, any documented military style musket will be allowed. 1841, 1855 and 1861 Springfield’s, and 1853 Enfield’s were among the most common. Three-banders are preferred. Two-banders will be considered on a case-by-case situation. The inexpensive Navy Arms "Zouave" rifles should not be used, but will be considered. Bayonets and scabbards are required. Not all positions and jobs require a musket. Check before you purchase. Swords and pistols are carried by officers and NCOs only. Blankets: They should be brown, blue or gray wool. OD Green is not acceptable. Old cotton / wool patchwork quilts, or even pieces of Victorian pattern wool carpets may be used. Eyeglasses: If you need eyeglasses, then period eyeglasses or contact lens are required. Optional equipment: Your tent should be a “A” or wedge tents. Wall tents are acceptable when Approved by the Company or Regimental Commander, but they are expensive, heavy, and hard to pitch. A fly is a nice addition and one of the more useful pieces of canvas. It will provide shade, protection from rain, and a nice gathering spot for friends. A fly is lighter and easier to pitch than a wall tent, but does not provide any privacy; a fly is cooler than a tent in the summer, and no colder than a tent in the winter. Cots and sleeping bags are acceptable, but they should be hidden before visitors enter the camp. ******** All Company and the Regimental HQ area(s) Will be "de-farbed"By 0730(7:30 AM) EVERY MORNING, and stay that way until 1700 (5:00 PM).************** Ponchos and gum blankets are handy and serve a lot of purposes. A campstool is a necessity. The small folding canvas types are common, but not as rugged as they should be. Most any types of folding wooden chairs are acceptable. Candle lanterns make midnight trips easier and safer! Barn or railroad lanterns that burn kerosene are also correct. Incidentals like cards, bottles, pipes, housewives, combs, etc. can fit your taste and pocketbook. Just be sure they are period correct. When in doubt Ask before you buy !!!!!
