US Guidelines

by Andy Ackeret

 

Headgear:

1)Dress Hat aka “Hardee Hat”

2)Forage Cap

Documentation:  The first issue of headgear to the regiment in Sept 1862 was the dress hat.  Pictures taken soon after enlistment (probably in Louisville) show this, and comments from John Otto in Memoirs of a Dutch Mudsill mention a “broad brim” hat being issued.  Later resupply issues included forage caps.  John Otto references men wearing caps, and a January 1863 clothing return in the personal papers of Capt. Abner B. Smith of Co. I, shows a partial issue of caps to his company.

 

Because of the hard six months of service the regiment had seen by May, 1863, the organizers have chosen to not include feathers on the Dress Hats or brass on either style of hat.

 

Coat:

1)Fatigue Blouse

2)Dress Coat

Documentation:  The first issue of coats to the regiment in Sept 1862 was the dress coat.  Pictures  taken soon after enlistment show this, as well as comments from John Otto mention being issued a “dresscoat.”  Later re-issues were for fatigue blouses.  Otto mentions as early as November 1862 helping a man draw a “blouse” and later that he was wearing a “blouse.”  This is a very specific change in nomenclature by Otto, his pre-Perryville discussions of clothing are clear about the tightness of the dress coat.

 

Trousers:

1)Enlisted Sky Blue

Documentation: Otto and a letter written by Charles Carr both mention the first issue of trousers in Sept 1862 while in Kentucky.  Early photos show these to be a lighter shade than the coats, IE sky blue.  Captain Smith's January 1863 company clothing return shows a followup issue of enlisted trousers.

 

Shoes:

1)Federal Issue

Documentation:  John Otto mentions the first issue of shoes in Sept 1862.  Capt. Smith's return shows a re-issue in Jan 1863.

 

Shirt:

1)Issue, either domet issue shirt or contract variant

2)Civilian

Documentation:  Charles Carr writes of the first issue of shirts in Sept 1862.  Capt. Smith's return shows a re-issue in Jan 1863.

 

Drawers

1)Issue

2)Civilian

Documentation:  Charles Carr writes of the first issue of drawers in Sept 1862.  Capt. Smith's return shows a re-issue in Jan 1863.

 

Socks

1)Issue

2)Civilian

Documentation:  Charles Carr writes of the first issue of socks in Sept 1862.  Captain Smith's return shows a re-issue in Jan 1863.

 

Musket

1)1853 Enfield

2)1861 US Springfield, or Contract

Documentation:  John Otto mentions an issue of Enfields in February 1863, which replaced their earlier issue of  the Austrian Lorenz.  An Ordnance report that is referenced by author Michael John Davis in the paper The Role of Ordnance Logistics in the Chickamauga Campaign lists Springfields and Enfields in almost equal numbers, and as the vast majority of what the regiment was carrying.

 

Canteen

1)Model 1858 “Smooth side” canteen.  Color of cover can vary, as long as the covering is made of proper, documented material.

Documentation:  Otto mentions drawing canteen in Sept 1862 that could hold 3 pints.

 

Haversack

1)US Model 1851

Documentation: Otto mentions drawing haversacks in Sept 1862.

 

Accoutrements

1)Model 1861 Cartridge Box with plates

2)“US” “puppy paw” buckle belt with leather loop (loop can be cut off)

3)Model 1859 “2 rivet” scabbard

4)Model 1851 Cap pouch

Documentation:  An undated (but probably 1862-1863) photo in a private collection shows US issue belt, cap pouch, scabbard.

 

Knapsacks

1)US issue “double bag”

Documentation:  Otto mentions first issue in Sept 1862.  Henry C. Taylor wrote in a letter of men filling their knapsacks with five days of rations in June, 1863.

 

Blanket

1)US issue in brown or gray

Documentation:  Capt. Smith's clothing return shows a partial re-issue of blankets in January, 1863.

 

Ground Cloth

1)US Issue

Documentation:  Otto mentions multiple times they did not have ground cloths in 1862.  Capt. Smith's return shows almost every man in his company drawing “painted blankets” in January 1863.  Mead Holmes Jr. wrote home in February 1863 referring to his “rubber blanket.”

 

Shelter Tent

1)Pattern appropriate to May 1863 or earlier

Documentation:  Otto and Holmes both say they received shelter tents for the first time in March, 1863.

 

Overcoats

The organizers have chosen to not use overcoats at this event.

 

No anachronisms.  Medication may be carried, concealed in a period container.