|
Uniform Guidelines
Western Confederate Impression
Mission: The mission of the FCB is to accurately portray a Brigade of Confederate soldiers fighting with the Army of Tennessee.
To accomplish this mission it is important to our members and the commanding General that our uniforms and equipment are as
authentic as possible. We will strive to create a generic AOT impression using the best resources provided by historical record
and verified by the National Park Services. Our goal is to look, in all respects, like the average Confederate soldier, thereby
being able to represent our ancestors from any given state fighting in the AOT. Therefore the following guidelines are provided
for the education of our members and to assist in their ever progressing pursuit of authenticity.
*Note: Grey wool or Mix Grey wool was not commonly used for construction of military jackets in the AOT and should be
avoided. Most uniforms were made of Jean in the AOT and therefore a proper reproduction should be made of Jean as well. Satinette
and Cassimere are two acceptable variants.
Shell Jackets. The most common garment of the AOT:
1.) Columbus depot types II and I. These jackets represent the most common Depot manufactured uniform coats used by the
AOT. These jackets were manufacture in general for the AOT and issued regardless of state affiliation. They must be constructed
using the proper natural or gray jean material with the proper medium blue wool collars and cuffs. Osnaburg was most commonly
used for the lining and thus should be used for reproductions. Buttons: You can use Confederate issue Federal Eagle, Wooden
two hole ¾, or (Script or Block) buttons or a combination of the three on this jacket. *State buttons were rare at best and
should therefore be avoided.
2.) Atlanta depot, this is a good mid war jacket. This jacket was made of plain gray jean material without a blue color
of cuff. They had six buttons and an Osnaburg lining. Buttons seen on the surviving examples are of the block I variety.
3.) Department of Alabama, Jackets of this pattern are similar in construction and material to the Columbus pattern but
do not have the cuff trim but do have a colored collar of dark blue cotton/wool jean. The surviving examples have 5-6 buttons
and are usually found with wood, 2 hole ¾ buttons. They are lined with cotton Osnaburg. This jacket was issued after November
1864 to the surviving members of the Army of Tennessee in the Department of Alabama, Mississippi and East Louisiana. This
jacket should be limited in use.
4.) Plain Commutation Jacket or any pattern jean jacket that can be documented from a reliable source. These too were
made of jean material.
Frock Coats, these knee length jackets were issued whenever possible up until early 1863. They were always constructed
of jean material with an Osnaburg lining sometimes having a blue wool collar and cuffs. However, there were many plain jean
coats and a few that simply had a blue collar. Normally these jackets had seven buttons. Buttons, were usually federal eagles.
However, there are some surviving jackets with Block or script I buttons. * State buttons should not be used for this jacket.
Hand stitched button holes, as a rule all visible button holes should be hand stitched. This is a simple process that
is not only authentic but practical for a jean jacket. Although there was quite a bit of machine stitching in the 1860's,
it was very different from the machines of today. In many cases (compared to todays machines) machine stitching looks hand
sewn. Therefore, it is necessary to hand stitch. Beyond that however, hand stitching reinforces the button hole and prevents
fraying and excessive wear.
Trousers. Trousers should be the correct military or a civilian pattern made of cotton/wool jean cloth. For early war
events, the use of an appropriate civilian material is accurate. The use of Federal sky-blue Kersey trousers or white cotton
duck material is very highly discouraged. These trousers were either rare or nonexistent in the AOT.
Shirts. Shirts should be of the proper pullover pattern and should be made of the correct material, preferably homespun
cotton. Buttons should be calico, milk glass, antique metal or shell (mother-of-pearl). Of course plastic should never be
used. The wearing of bright red shirts or large plastron front shirts is not accurate.
Under Drawers. It is highly recommended, both for authenticity and comfort, that each man wear light weight muslin/cotton
under drawers correct for the 1860. These are full length drawers that usually button down the fly. Remarkably, wearing of
these drawers help greatly in keeping cool during warm days.
Hats. The most common hats worn by AOT soldiers were civilian slouch hats. This would be a good choice of any FCB member.
The actual historic ratio of slouch hats to kepis was closer to 50/50. Good kepis are hard to come by though. These were usually
made of jean material and normally did not have a blue band. Straw hats did not last more than five months in civilian life
and therefore were quite rare in the army. These should be avoided. Captured federal headgear should be very limited. Hat
blanks, cowboy hats or hilly-billy hats should be strictly avoided. A quality hat from Clearwater or Dirty Billys will run
$80.00 to $100.00 but it will be well worth it! They are not only correct but last for years in all kinds of weather. Cheap
hats look bad and tend to have a short life span.
Shoes. Shoes should be of the Jefferson brogan type commercially available. Boots are not at all common in the infantry
and thus should be strictly avoided.
The wearing of period canvas/cloth camp shoes is discouraged as they were mainly an item of private purchase in the Federal
Army. There is written documentation of Confederate ersatz canvas and leather bootees but there is neither photographic evidence
nor surviving examples of these types of shoes. Your impression as a Confederate soldier in the AOT is better served by purchasing
a pair of straight last natural brogans or a pair of Federal issue Jefferson pattern brogan.
No Cowboy, Wellington or East German army boots. Work, combat, or hiking boots are not to be used. Absolutely no moccasins,
please.
Equipment Authenticity Guidelines
Belts. Belts should be leather or painted canvass with the proper belt plates. Oval C.S. plate similar to the U.S. plates
should not be worn. Georgia frame, forked tongue, roller buckles, Rectangle C.S.A., plain brass or brass Star buckles are
all excellent choices. White buff is appropriate for early war impressions, such as Shiloh.
Cartridge Box and Sling. The following models are recommended for the Army of Tennessee: US Model 1839 .69 caliber box,
US Model 1857 .69 caliber box, British Enfield box, Shelbyville .69 caliber box, .58 caliber Baton Rouge Belt suspension box.
Strap should be leather or painted canvas. Brass breast plates or box plates should be avoided as they were not common.
Cap Pouch. The following are models recommended for the Army of Tennessee: US early war shield front, US 1850 model, British
Enfield cap pouch, CS single back strap and Baton Rouge shield front.
Canteens. There are a variety of period canteens that are appropriate. Wooden, tin drum, federal smooth side and CS stamped
tin drums are all appropriate. All canteen covers on federal smooth or bulls-eye canteens should be brown/gray jean. Sky blue
was not very often used by either the Federals or the Confederates as a canteen cover. Therefore, it is best to NOT use sky
blue. Straps should be worn so that the canteen rests at the top of the hip.
Haversacks. These should be made of plain white or off-white cotton canvas. Federal issue haversacks should be used in
limited quantity. Straps should be worn so that the canteen rests at the top of the hip. Note: CS haversacks were generally
closed by means of a button while US haversacks were closed by a strap and buckle.
Knapsacks / Bedrolls. A good mid-war AOT impression should have seven of 10 men carrying Knapsacks as a general rule (according
to some period QM reports). Men of the FCB should, as a general practice, wear these into battle as did many veterans on a
campaign. Bedrolls are self-explanatory. As for knapsacks a some good choices would be an early war (Mexican war) soft pack,
CS Single bag, Isaac Campbell import bag or a hard pack.
Blankets. A good quality (preferable light) 100% wool civilian blanket is the best choice. There are a few manufactures
of authentic reproductions that are expensive but well worth the money. These make a good impression look fantastic.
Quilts are another option so long as they are made of natural material and are period in style. Wool coverlets or jean
blankets are also appropriate.
Gum or Tarred Blankets. In the world or reenacting the common Gum blanket is the Federal issued rubberized pattern. These
should be used about 30% of the time however. The better choice for Confederate troops is the painted canvas blanket which
is a canvas section painted with a black paint and linseed oil mixture. These were more common.
Cups. A cup or a boiler is appropriate so long as they are made of tin. A soldier needs only one or the other.
Plates & Skillets. The idea of a soldier on a campaign (which is what we portray when we recreate battles i.e. Campaigns)
is to travel light and with only what you need. Therefore forget about the iron skillet or the idea of having both a plate
and a frying pan. Have one or the other. Canteen halves are recommended as they can be used for both (as can a plate for that
matter). A canteen half is just that half of a smooth side canteen that one can fry with or eat out of, which was a common
practice.
The four men mess: this was the way of the CS soldier. Company cooks were very rare (if they even existed) so men usually
shared cooking items and responsibilities. It is recommended that four men share a small coffee pot, skillet and broiler.
Actually, you can scrap the coffee pot and just boil coffee grounds in a tin cup. The point is to forget about a massive cooking
set up. Men cooked their rations in messes. If you need something more substantial, then see the non period food vendors.
Weapons. Only three band rifles should be used in the FCB. A report in April 1863 revealed that 44% of the arms in the
AOT were .69 percussion smooth bores, most likely 1842 Springfields. 37% were Enfields and 14% were rifled Springfields. The
rest varied. It was not until spring 1864 that Enfields began to take prominence. At that time 55% were Enfields, 32% Austrian
and 11% had smooth bores.
Ideally one should have a .69 smoothbore and an Enfield (or a rifled Springfield) to use depending upon the scenario.
Appropriate Personal Effects
The following articles are some of the personnel belongings which could have been found in the knapsack (*note: the haversack
was for food and utensils only) of a CS soldier: Newspaper, Bible, period night cap, tin or glass photo, wood or bone toothbrush,
toothpowder {a tin of baking soda works very well and is accurate}, lye soap, folding knife, bone or wood comb, period pipe,
tin or brass tobacco box, match safe, housewife, course paper, period nib pen, wood pencil (no eraser), small bottle of ink,
extra socks and/or a shirt (only one extra set is needed). These should be homemade, purchased from and antique store or
carefully selected from a sutler.
Eyewear. Spectacles were rare among civilians or soldiers who had poor eye sight. So the best idea is to do without them
if you can. If not, try contacts. Otherwise it is important to buy period frames (Modern frames makes an impression look silly)
, which are relatively cheap. It is not unusual to find frames at antique stores for $10 to $20. There is a supplier on our
approved sutler list who sells these frames for around $25. Small oval or rectangle frames are period. Round frames are not.
Do not use tinted lenses as these were only for men with STDS and even this was extremely rare.
Food Rations Authenticity Guidelines
*First, the haversack is for food and cooking utensils only.
*Second, coolers and modern cooking equipment is not necessary and should be strictly avoided. Only cooked or cured meat
should be carried thus a cooler is unnecessary. Non period drinks may be stored at your vehicle or obtained by the event vendors.
Our camps should be kept free of these anachronisms that always kill a good impression and tend to be seen even when a great
effort is taken to keep them concealed
*Third, let us establish a simple rule. No plastic or modern containers, ever. These are not necessary and they can ruin
an impression for you or your file mate who is trying to get lost in the time period. Even if you choose not to carry period
food items, remove what you have from its plastic container and put it into a period one. The following are some ideas:
Cotton draw-string Poke sack: simple inexpensive bags that can be adapted to carry anything.
Brown Wax Paper or Plain Brown Paper is perfect for cooked or greasy meat. Brown wax paper is now being manufactured and
carried in many grocery stores.
Small tin or glass containers are good for small herb, salt or pepper. Glass containers should have cork tops or screw
zinc lids.
Food
The following is a list of foods appropriate to the Army of Tennessee:
Meat: Salt Pork, Cured Ham, boiled Beef, Slab Bacon
Bread: Cornbread, biscuits or corn fritters (hoe-cakes). Hard tack should be limited.
Drinks: Coffee (beans or course ground) or tea.
Grains: Cornmeal, grits, and rice.
Vegetables: Sweet potatoes, potatoes, turnips, corn on the husk, Black-eyed peas, carrots, beans, and hominy. And of course
peanuts (although this is not actually a vegetable). Plain Corn Nuts are a good reproduction of Parched Corn a staple of the
C.S.A.
Herbs: Garlic, rosemary, coriander, basil, Tabasco pepper and bay leaves
Sweets: The best idea for a sweat tooth is Ginger snap cookies which were very common and easy to find in todays markets.
**Sugar;the sugar you carry should never be white processed sugar. The most correct sugar to carry is the Mexican cone sugar
often found for $1.00 per 7oz in the Spanish foods section of your market. The other alternative is raw or brown sugar. Molasses
is another very good Southern alternative.
Military Camp Authenticity Guidelines
Camps for CS troops should consist mainly of canvas flys and shelter halves. A-tents should be avoided. Why? Because these
men were on campaign and often, as we read historical accounts, we find that they moved well ahead of the baggage trains.
Thus, the men had to camp with what they had on their backs. However, if A-tents must be used, it would be more correct if
three men shared a tent. The thing to avoid is having one man per tent. This was not at all correct.
Camp furniture should be virtually non-existent. This means no chairs, stools or tables except perhaps for the battalion
staff. Men should use logs or their ground cloths for sitting round the fire.
Coolers, Air mattresses, cots and anything else 21st century should be strictly avoided.
The Brigade will stop short of banning these items for the time being. So what are some alternatives?
First carry non perishable (period) food items listed in the food section.
Second, use straw or hay for a bed (if you have to).
Third, go back to the car for a cold drink or visit the sutlers.
Lastly, simply follow the authenticity guidelines.
The General assures the men of this Brigade that it is possible to rid ourselves of all modern anachronisms and still
camp in comfort. It merely takes being creative with the natural items a CS soldier had to work with.
NOTE: Bug spray, 1st Aid items, or medication are exceptions of course. These can be carried indiscreetly in a poke sack
inside a knapsack or haversack
|
