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 Engagement
at Burkittsville, 1862 Federal Information 
Federal Commander
Preface
4th Vermont Infantry
From all reliable information, it
appears that the Fourth Vermont was outfitted in the regulation
Federal uniform. In addition, these uniforms were rather worse for
wear after the Peninsula Campaign. During the campaign, the Vermont
Brigade, like many other units, had lost their knapsacks. This
resulted in many men wearing the same set of clothing from late June
until after the battle of Antietam.
The following list of clothing is
intended to guide the individual in his impression of the Vermont
soldier at Crampton's Gap. Remember, all clothing needs to be HIGH
QUALITY REPRODUCTIONS (none of usual items found on sutlers row). If
you have any questions, please get in touch with the committee. We
don't want to turn people away, however we will uphold our
standards.
Lastly, the following items are not
allowed: Corps badges, Sharpshooter uniforms, also No gaiters! No
purple coats! No Forage Caps with the visors shaped like baseball
caps! No dead animal parts on your uniform or weapon!
The committee reserves the right to
ask any individual to alter or remove items of his equipment at the
time of registration check in.
At the end of this list is a
directory of vendors to help people obtain the items they may need.
The vendor list is my no means the final word, as new sources are
coming to light all the time.
Weapons
Pattern 1853 Enfield rifle musket
(what the 4th Vermont carried).
Model 1855 or 1861 US Rifle
Musket.
Bayonet and sling for either of the
above.
NO SMOOTHBORE or .69 Rifle Muskets
permitted, likewise no 2 band rifles.
Pistols are allowed for officers and
artillery sergeants only.
Note: All weapons will be inspected
at registration. Any individual with a dirty or improperly
functioning weapon will not be allowed to pass
registration.
Clothing
Forage cap, US issue or commercial
copy (if you do not have a quality cap, this should be your #1
priority).
Frock Coat or Sack Coat.
Infantry Trousers, sky blue
kersey.
Suspenders, of period style in cloth
or webbing (no fully elastic ones with sheet metal clips).
Shirt, military issue or civilian
style.
Drawers, military issue or
civilian.
Socks, cream color US issue, or
homemade in natural colors (avoid rag knit ones).
Footwear
Jefferson Boots (Brogans), US
issue.
Boots, military or civilian style, of
correct construction (two piece tops).
Accouterments (all accouterments are
to be of black leather)
Bayonet Scabbard, two rivet pattern,
with brass tip.
Cap Box, Standard US or "1850"
pattern.
Cartridge Box, 1861 pattern, with
tins and plate.
Cartridge Box Belt, with eagle
plate.
Waist belt, with leather or brass
keeper (leather preferred-brass is 1863).
Field Equipment
US issue haversack, black painted
cloth (make sure this hangs at the proper height-originals have 40"
straps).
Smooth side canteen (bullseye canteen
don't appear till after Antietam), with a cover of Sky Blue kersey,
or jean cloth in a brown or gray color (make sure it hangs at the
right height). Undyed leather, or folded & sewn cloth
sling.
US issue double bag knapsack, of
black painted cloth (few should be seen, most were lost on the
Peninsula).
Shelter half (untreated cloth, with
no metal grommets).
US issue rubber blanket or poncho,
with correct 5/8" grommets.
US Army issue blanket, with US in
center and unfinished ends (no red or blue blankets).
Personal items
Eye glasses, must be of period style.
Please shop around before you purchase a set, as there are some bogus
styles being sold by sutlers.
Hairstyles must be appropriate for
soldiers of the period. Length should stop at the collar.
NO PONYTAILS!
Tobacco products must be of period
style, NO EXCEPTIONS!
Mess gear, must be of appropriate
patterns and construction. No one piece stainless steel boilers, and
NO SPECKLE WARE!!!
Housewives and sewing equipment, must
be of period style and construction.
Cards and other amusement items, must
be of period style and construction.
6th United States Cavalry:
Mounted service jackets preferred.
Fatigue coats permitted. Forage caps or Hardee hats.
1859 pattern MacClellan saddles. 3 buckle bridles preferred.
Model 1840 Sabre preferred, 1860 accepted. 1 Colt revolver per trooper, Sharp's Carbine.
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