The Rowdy Pards
Uniform Regulations
As of 10 June 2000
A. Introduction. The following uniform regulations describe the essential items you are expected to purchase as a member of The Rowdy Pards.

This is based on hard research done by a variety of dedicated reenactors. Refer to your reference handbook. Sources are based on a careful appraisal of the various items offered by merchants and reflect input from the authenticity committee, The Watchdog and other sources, as well as examination of original items. Nearly all of the uniforms & equipment recommended by our guidelines are illustrated in the set of Time-Life books, Echoes of Glory: Volume 1 - Arms & Equipment of the Confederacy and Volume 2 - Arms & Equipment of the Union, therefore images from that series are referenced to each particular item in these guidelines by book & page number. Items will be abbreviated as (EOG/CS) for the Confederate book & (EOG/US) for the Union book (References to Echoes of Glory are included only as a visual reference only, and are not a source of documentation for the items below - as the text is full of errors. These series of books can be obtained at most popular bookstores and libraries).

1. DO NOT buy clothing or equipment from any vendor that is NOT on this vendor list (unless it is approved by the authenticity committee) and do not buy any thing from a vendor (even an approved one) that you haven't checked out. If you do, you will wind up having to replace it.

2. What We Expect.

C. Buying Clothing and Equipment.

1. Do not buy anything except from the approved vendor for that item. Just because the vendor is approved for one item that does not mean anything else they sell is approved.

2. Buy your shoes first. We rarely have loaner shoes. Do not buy cheap or unapproved shoes just to get on the field. Make sure they fit, then break them in. The next items you'll need are your shirt, drawers, suspenders and socks. Buy your mess equipment as soon as you can.

3. Some of the approved vendors have long delivery times. Do not order at the last minute. Plan ahead.

4. Most of the approved vendors do not travel to events - and even those that do, don't go to every event. Do not expect that you'll be able to buy items from approved vendors at an event. You're going to have to buy items mail-order.

5. Do not waste your money. Don't get all fired up and run out and buy hundreds of dollars worth of junk.

6. Do not confuse low-quality, junk vendor loaner clothing or equipment with items from approved vendors. Most loaner items are our mistakes ans we'd be glad to explain our mistakes.

7. You are responsible to "do it right" if you want to be a Rowdy Pard.

B. General.

1. Hair. The military regulations of both sides required that the soldier's hair and beard be short. We suggest you study a few period photographs and determine how well you'd fit in.(1)Hair styles outside the period norm are not negotiable.

2. Jewelry. The private soldier of the War rarely wore any jewelry beyond a simple wedding band. No wristwatches. Wristwatches did not exist (they were popularized during the First World War). They must be removed during events in order to make a more effective impression. This is not negotiable.

3. Spectacles. Period eyeglass are required - or you must wear contacts. This is not negotiable.

4. Buttonholes. As a minimum, those buttonholes which can be clearly seen (in other words, on the front of a jacket or coat) must be hand sewn. You are strongly encouraged to have all button holes hand sewn. There were no machine sewn button holes on army uniforms during this period (or on any other clothing).

5. Condition of clothing. We do an impression of an army on the march. Your clothing should not be pristinely clean when you arrive at an event. In other words, leave the mud on it.

6.  Sewing your own clothing.  This is an option.  However, sewn by hand and made to an appropriate standard are not the same thing.  $150 of material poorly sewn together is not the same as a well made reproduction.  We recommend Ben Tart, Family Heirloom Weavers, Thistle Hill Weavers and County Cloth for material, and County Cloth for patterns.

C. Uniform Authenticity Standards -Eastern Confederate (Army of Northern Virginia)

1. Jackets will be either an NC state issue jacket in jeans cloth, cassimere, or satinette (EOG/CS ­
144) or a Richmond Depot Type II jacket in jeans cloth, cassimere, satinette or blue / gray kersey (EOG/CS ­ 135). The wear of the Richmond Depot Type III or the Peter Tait jacket will be based on time / event.

2. Pants will be documented 1860s civilian style pants; MacRae pattern pants; or Richmond Depot pants. Federal pants will be worn very sparingly and only with permission.

3. The preferred shirt is a civilian style, woven pattern shirt. All shirts must be of a documented pattern, color and material (EOG/US - 126 & EOG/CS - 154 &155).

Do not, under any conditions, buy a "sutler shirt" from a 'usual suspect skinner' at an event. They are terrible rip-offs made of crummy fabric.

4. Socks, undergarments and suspenders will be documented, authentic styles.

5. The first footgear purchased will be the Federal 1855 Jefferson bootee (EOG/US - page 191). Then you may purchase CS pattern shoes of documented pattern (EOG/CS - pages 174 & 175).

6, Accouterments, Haversack and Canteen. Initial leather accouterments will be black, documented
Federal issue accouterments of the proper weight and type leather - except for the belt. . Specific, documented CS accouterments may be purchased after primary accouterments have been purchased.

7. Mess Equipment: (EOG/US 224-225 & EOG/CS 214-215). Note: No Company personnel will use any enameled "speckleware" of any color. It was not available until the 1870s and its use will not be tolerated. This same goes with stainless steel cups, boilers, plates, &c.

8. Musket or Rifle Musket. The standard rifle-musket is the 1853 Enfield (EOG/CS - page 36). You are encouraged to have all modern finishes & marks removed and proper period stamps applied. Bayonets are required.

9.  Headgear. Documented, period slouch hats are strongly encouraged and preferred. Slouch hats must have a liner, sweat band, and crown and brim ribbon [EOG/CS -pages 166-169]. Caps should be either a grey jeans "kepi" (EOG/CS - pages 162 &163 ) or a black / dark blue forage cap. No cap brass! Hat cords are discouraged except at 1865 events.

10. Tentage & Blankets. Shelter tents are the only authorized tentage, as we sleep 'campaign" at most events. Blankets must be 100% wool and of period type.

11. Knapsacks. Initial purchase will be an 1853/55 Federal knapsack.CS Knapsacks are highly encouraged. D. Federal Uniform -- Western Federal

1. Sack Coat. The standard sack coat is the "J.T. Martin contract type" of proper lightweight indigo blue flannel, and lined (EOG/US - 125; the Federal government issued almost three times as many lined sack coats as unlined).

2. Federal Pants. Federal issue foot pants in sky-blue kersey wool (this varies slightly in color) in either the Schulykill or J. T. Martin pattern (EOG/US - 127).

3. Leather Accouterments and Brass, &c.

4. Shirts, undergarments, and socks. Are per above.

5. Shoes, See above.

6. Headgear. A 'field modified' Hardee hat (EOG/US - 187) or a good slouch hat is encouraged and preferred over caps. Caps should be either an issue Federal forage cap or private purchase cap.

9. Tentage. Federal issue shelter tent (see above).

7. Rifle muskets. As above.

8. Knapsacks. The 1853/55 Federal knapsack.

D. Optional Impression - Equipment & Military Guidelines for Co. G, 10th Texas Volunteer Infantry. Published Separately on the 10th Texas site.

1. Para. 1634, page 495 of the Revised Regulations for the United States Army, Philadelphia: J.G.L. Brown, 1861 and para. 1536, page 406 of the Regulations for the Army of the Confederate States, Richmond, J.W. Randolph, 1863 both state: "The hair to be worn short; the beard at the pleasure of the individual; but when worn, to be kept short and neatly trimmed."
2. Johnson, Paul D., Civil War Cartridge Boxes of the Union Infantryman (Lincoln, RI: Andrew Mowbray, 1998), Chapters 2, 3 & 5.

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