The purpose of this guide is to introduce the recruit to some of the items he will need to obtain after being accepted as a member of the 12th Texas Infantry, Company A. The first questions that most recruits will have are: "What will I need?", "Where do I get it?", and "How much does it cost?" We hope to answer all of those questions, and also to give you an idea of some of the variety of items from which you can choose.

The 12th Texas does not require or prescribe a particular uniform style. We represent a regiment that served entirely in the Western Theatre from 1862 to 1865. Some research of your own into Trans-Mississippi Confederates of this period may give you some ideas of exactly how you wish to be outfitted. We also may occasionally be called upon to represent a different unit altogether, such as an early war militia company. Over a period of time, you may wish to put together a variety of "impressions", meaning you may want to be able to represent different troops at different stages of the war. This is an area you may want to study on your own. It is not required that you do this, but many reenactors enjoy this variety. 

We can help to outfit you for your first drills and events. Many of our members have extra equipment that they may loan you. It is not necessary for you to go out and spend a lot of money right away. One thing to keep in mind is that most of your equipment is an investment, rather than an expense. If you should ever want to dispose of any equipment, you would find that the market for these items is very good.

If you have any questions, please feel free to call, and we will be more than happy ot discuss them with you.

UNIFORM
You have many options, as "Confederate Regulation" clothing barely even existed. Some Confederate troops never wore uniforms at all, and just wore whatever they brought from home. Here are some basic options:

Coat - Most commonly worn is the short shell jacket in gray or butternut. You could also wear the longer loose-fitting sack coat, which is very similar to a civilian style. The frock coat, which is knee-length, was fairly popular during the war, but not too popular with reenactors today. Any coat can be made of wool or a wool-cotton mixture called "jean wool" or "jean cloth". The latter is more authentic, although it is rather expensive.

Trousers - U.S. issue blue kersey wool pants are very popular. For summer you might consider some cotton or jean pants. You can also have your pants made to match your coat. They should have a button style fly with no back pockets.

Shirt - Shirts of the period were usually a pullover type with 3 or 4 buttons. Material can be cotton or flannel. They can have no pockets, or one or two. You can sometimes find modern shirts in thrift stores that can be modified to look fairly authentic. You will probably want 2 or 3 shirts. An oversized shirt or "blouse" was sometimes worn as an outer garment. The "battle shirts" were very popular early in the war. Lots of state militia groups wore them before the war as well.

Hat - Most Confederates wore the slouch hat. These are made of soft felt in a variety of styles. Black, gray or brown are the best colors. Many reenactors also wear either the kepi or the forage cap. These have a more military look but don't keep the sun or rain off very well. Straw hats are very comfortable for summer wear, however they didn't hold up well while on campaign.

Shoes - Most popular are the U.S. issue "Jefferson Broghans". The "Woodhull" Broghan is also permitted. Square-toed boots are also worn (no cowboy boots, please!).

Socks - Heavy wool socks, solid gray in color, are the most authentic.

Drawers - Drawers means long underwear, and yes, the soldier wore flannel long johns year-round. It is rather unlikely that you will ever undergo an underwear inspection, so you can probably get away with boxer shorts in the summer. Long johns or union suits are o.k. for winter.

ACCOUTREMENTS
Musket - Our company requires the use of the 3-banded rifle musket, for safety purposes. The most common types are the Enfield, the Springfield, and the Richmond muskets. Avoid the shorter 2-banded rifles...You will also need a bayonet that fits your musket, as well as a acabbard and "frog" to hang it on your belt.

Belt - Belts are usually plain black or brown leather about 2 inches wide. Lots of different styles of buckles are available.

Cartridge Box And Cap Box - These leather items are available in several patterns. The .69 caliber syle is a little bigger than the standard .58 caliber box. Some cap boxes are also a little larger. You can purchase a sling for the cartridge box, or you may choose to wear it on your belt. Either black or brown leather for these items is permissable.

Canteen - Cloth-covered tin, plain tin drum, and wooden canteens are all popular with Confederate troops.

Haversack - This is where the soldier carried his rations. They can be plain cotton or linen, "duck cloth", or the tarred type, which is more waterproof and grease resistant.

CAMP EQUIPMENT
Mess Gear - You will need a tin plate and cup, and a knife, fork, and spoon. You can get the antique-style 3 tine forks and matching knives. A plain tablespoon will suffice, as will a tin pie plate.

Blanket - You will want wool blankets in gray or blue. Reproductions are available but expensive. Try the army-navy stores.

Tent - You will want one soon. Available styles include the dog tent which can easily accomodate one man sleeping on the ground and a little bit of gear or it can accomodate two men and almost no gear. A dog tent can be also be setup as a "Shebang" which is more suited for shade than protection from a driving rain. Also available is the "A" tent, which like it's name suggests is an A-frame tent which can acommodate one man, a cot and plenty of gear or two men, cots and some gear.

So aside from your musket the basic uniform and equipment will cost around $200-$300. As you can see, this is not a cheap hobby, but keep these things in mind:

1. You don't have to buy it all at once. Spread it out over a few months or even a year.
2. Most of these items will last many years, if properly cared for, so after the initial investment is made, you won't spend as much in succeeding years, other than travel costs and expenses.

Here are some suppliers, or "sutlers", for reenactors:

C & D Jarnigan Company
Rt. 3, Box 217
Corinth, Mississippi 38834
Voice 601/287-4977
Fax 601/287-6033

Jarnigan has it all, everything you could possibly need as a reenactor. Prices are fair, but they are a little slow in shipping, especially with tailor-made clothing.

Frazer Brothers
5641 Yale Blvd, Suite 125
Dallas, Texas 75206-5026
Voice 214/696-1865

The Frazers carry just about everything, a little high, but much closer than Mississippi. They do have good prices on muskets. 

Dixie Gun Works
Gunpowder Lane
Union City, Tennessee 38261
Voice 901/885-0700

This place is a great source for guns, gun parts and shooter's supplies. They carry many other items for the living historian, however their prices can be rather high.

Dixie Leather Works
306 N. 7th Street
Paducah, Kentucky 42001
Voice 502/442-1058 Information
Voice 800/888-5183 Orders Only

This is not to be confused with Dixie Gun works. Dixie Leather Works has a very good selection of accoutrement items at perhaps the best prices.

Miss Jeanie's Merchantile
301 W. Exchange
Ft Worth, Texas 76106
Voice 817/625-5929

Miss Jeanie is a good source for clothing. Her wares are of fine quality and style, and are quite reasonably priced for tailor-made clothes.

There are many other companies doing business in the field of living history. You can find these advertising in magazines and other publications pertaining to military or War Between the States history and reenacting. If you know someone who sews, these companies carry patterns for uniforms and other clothing of the period.

When you look through the aforementioned catalogs, you will see a great many accessory items, such as wallets, money, playing cards, knives, paper goods, and the like. All are realistic and can add to your "impression". However, we would suggest that you apply your capital towards the items previously listed first, and get those extras later on in your hobby life. The one thing we would recommend that you purchase is a copy of "Hardee's Rifle and Light Infantry Tactics". This is one of the instructional handbooks of the Confederate soldier and officer, and is the basis for our company's training in how to operate "in the field". These books run around $6 or $8 and are invaluable.

We hope these words will be of some assistance to you in beginning your life as a reenactor of the War Between the States. As was common in the Army of the Confederacy, our veterans will be more than glad to help you in whatever way possible to be a good soldier, as well as a good reenactor. So good luck, Godspeed, and we hope to see you soon by the campfire or in the line of battle.