For
those looking to appear more as the US soldiers of
this campaign, I have put together some simple
thoughts and original photographs to you to
review.
It
is not required that all participants adhere to
this list, but it is encouraged so as to provide
the public and your fellow reenactors a more
accurate material depiction of the Boys.
One
aspect of the hobby that will increase both your
knowledge and enjoyment of an event is tailoring
your impression to the specific event. This allows
you to learn more about the material culture as
well as giving the public a better vision of the
troops of the period.
This
is the event for variety. At this point in the War,
many Federals were receiving uniforms from their
native states. You also had a wide variety of
quality of uniforms, with the Government working
it's way though the "shoddy" contractors, and many
units having their own standards.
States
such as New York issued many of their regiments
short trimmed Shell Jackets. Many Ohio Troops also
wore an untrimmed version of such a
jacket.
Keep
in mind the clothing a NY Soldier wore during this
period, may or may not have differed from that
which a PA private wore. The individual states did
equip many a regiment, but there is no hard rule
that says if you are from New York you would have
been wearing a New York State Shell Jacket. But it
is a detail grossly under represented in our
hobby.
In
order to illustrate the items, I have original
photos of these items with the description. Be sure
to view them carefully, and I have found if you
look at them for a minute or two, do something
else, and them go back, you will see details that
normal viewing does not pick up.
Keep
in mind these suggestions only cover the period
from Mid July to Early September 1862, and are not
intended for other periods.
Head
Gear
There
are three basic choices for this period. For most
units the Standard Federal Forage Cap is the rule,
however some units, such as the Iron Brigade, were
wearing Dress Hats, and some like NY State troops
were wearing State issued Kepis.
Some
photographic evidence exists of many units wearing
Civilian Hats, with the most famous being the one
with the 3 Federals standing around a burnt out
Rail Road car at Manassas.
Havelocks
were not worn by this period.
Coat
There
are several options for this as well:
The
Standard US issue Fatigue Blouse, made out of
8-ounce wool flannel and lined. There are many
photographs of field adaptations to these garments,
from adding additional buttons to pockets, both
inside and out.
US
Issue Dress Coat (Frock). These were worn heavily
during this period, and especially for units such
as the Iron Brigade.
State
Issue Shell Jacket. If you portraying States that
issued these, it would be very appropriate.
Trousers
During
this period the Standard Issue Foot Trousers in Sky
Blue Kersey would be the most prevalent, but you
also have extant photos of Federal troops wearing
Dark Blue Trousers. If you have a pair, wear
them.
Footwear
US
issue Brogans would have been most common, with
private purchase boots also represented.
Canteen
This
is the event for the Leather Sling Smoothside with
a jean or blanket cover. Only the first canteens
ordered had the sky blue cover, the rest were
either of sack coat lining (jean, flannel) or out
of US issue Blankets. Take a look at the color
photo of extant Sack coats and the various hues to
see what color the canteen lining may have
been.
Knapsack
Most
units would have been carrying the US pattern
Double Bag knapsack, although many units may still
have carried some militia bags, pre war knapsacks
(such as the 1833 hard pack) and even evidence of
blanket rolls, both the short and long
roll.
Shirts
Federal
Issue Flannel Shirts would have been the most
common seen, with State issue and Civilian shirts
also acceptable.
Good
Luck, and I look forward to seeing you Looking
1862!
S.
Chris Anders
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