1. SHIRT - Latitude is allowed. Real soldiers used any shirt thay could get. Just use cotton or wool shirts that are sold at the sutlers. avois plastic buttons and modern shirts. Cotton soldier shirts are good.
2. 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 but brown, blue, black or grey are preferred.
The quality of these hats can vary greatly. Without getting into a treatise of hats, good advice is to examine each for workmanship and material. Look for a thick leather brim and substantial interior stitching.
3. COATS - The unit we portray wears a jean/wool Richmond Depot type II shell jacket without piping (with #3 gray jean wool). You can use whatever sutler you want. We like a particular sutler for this jacket:
Country Cloth, Inc., Charlie Childs (330) 862-3307
13797-C Georgetown Street N.E.
Paris, Ohio 44669 - [email protected]
Providers of patterns and kits. Kits contain instructions, pattern, and pre-cut material.
Coats-Trousers-Shirts-Socks-Blankets-Canteen Covers-Vests
He will send a "kit" for about $100 and there are many persons who can sew the jacket for a nominal fee. Another sutler we may use for shell jackets in the future is the Swannee Sultery.
Later, as you grow int he hobby, you might want to consider getting a frock coat or a four button union sack coat.
4. TROUSERS - You will be asked to purchase Richmond Depot pattern jean wool trousers with button fly, pockets 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. These can be purchased from sutlers (manufacture and cloth quality can vary greatly), made from pattern or, like the coats above, be made from here since CW soldiers often received shirts from home, purchased elsewhere or wore government issue. Shirts are long sleeve with sleeves generally looser than a modern shirt, wooden buttons and made from muslin, calico or flannel. Sutler generally carry the generic blue, black or red plaid shirts. These are generally fine since they are under the jacket.
5. ACCOUTERMENTS
Cartridge Box
Cartridge Box Strap
Cartridge Box Tins
Waist Belt (Keeper optional)
Cap Box
Belt Buckle (within our unit, buckles should always include either a Georgia frame, snake tongue, or roller buckle. Of course, the British Enfield snake tongue buckle is always acceptable.)
Optional
Breastplate
Cartridge Box Plate
6. CANTEEN - This is a must. You should never take the field without a canteen an adequate supply of water. You can get an original type or a stainless steel. The latter looks no different and will not rust.
7. HAVERSACK - Black tarred, canvas sack which is hung over the shoulder containing, rations, housewife, tobacco etc. Not a necessity but generally part of the standard kit.
8. 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.
9. UNDERWEAR - Authentic underwear is sold but most reenactors use modern garments.Would generally be one of last purchases.