Hat - Our unit has certain guidelines for headgear. The normal eastern impression would use a forage cap, kepi or slouch hat. It is best to keep them as plain as possible. There should be no adornments or brass letters or numbers on the hats. Slouch hats were used by Confederates about 80% of the time. Hats can come in any color, however, brown, blue, black or gray are preferred.
Coats - The unit we portray wears a jean/wool Richmond Depot Type II shell jacket without piping (#3 gray jean wool). You can use whatever sutler you want. Here are two we like:
Country Cloth, Inc, Charlie Childs (330) 862-3307
13797-C Georgetown Street N.E.
Paris, Ohio 44669 - [email protected]
Web: http://www.bright.net/~crchilds/
Providers of patterns and kits. Kits contain instructions, pattern, and pre-cut material. He will send a "kit" for about $100 and there are persons who can sew the jacket for a nominal fee.
Another sutler we may use for shell jackets is the Swannee Sultery.
C & D Jarnagin Company
http://www.jarnaginco.com/
Phone (662) 287-4977 Fax (662) 287-6033
Mail: PO Box 1860 - or - UPS: 103 Franklin Street
Corinth, MS 38834-1860
Later, as you grow in the hobby, you might want to consider getting a frock coat or a four button Union sack coat.
Trousers - You will be asked to purchase jean wool trousers with a button fly, and held up by suspenders. The color should be gray, brown, or some earthy color. Jean wool is much cooler and was more common for the Confederate soldier during the war. Sky-blue kersey wool pants can be purchased later if you want to expand your impression.
Accouterments
Cartridge Box (with tins)
Cartridge Box Strap
Waist Belt (keeper optional)
Cap Box
Belt Buckle - Within our unit, buckles should always include either a Georgia frame, British snake tongue, or roller buckle.
Optional: Breastplate and Cartridge Box Plate
Canteen - This is a must. You should never take the field without a full canteen of water. You can get an original tin type or a stainless steel. The latter looks no different and will not rust.
Haversack - Black tarred, canvas sack which is hung over the should containing rations, housewife (sewing kit), tobacco, etc. Not a necessity but generally part of the standard kit.
Brogans (shoes) - These can be rather expensive. Many different styles are sold by many different suppliers. The quality varies. The most important consideration is that they are comfortable. You will be doing a lot of walking in these shoes as an infantryman and you should be sure that they fit well WITH a heavy pair of wool socks on.
Underpants - Authentic underwear is sold but most reenactors use modern garments.