Registration
Confederate Infantry Guidelines
Infantry | Artillery
General standards for all Confederate Infantry participants. Click above for details specific to artillery.
- Uniform
- Insignia: Hat brass is to be kept at a minimum only a regimental number or a company letter will be acceptable.
- Headwear:
A mixture of kepis and slouch hats is seen on photos of Confederate soldiers Captured at Five Forks and the dead Southern Soldiers in the trenches around Petersburg. Correctly, documented headgear will be accepted, but early war styles are highly discouraged.- Civilian Slouch Hat - Black, Brown, or Gray. Edge of brim as well as hatband should be bound with silk ribbon, hand or machine sewn on. Leather or Cotton Duck sweatband should be hand sewn in. Cloth lining is highly recommended but not required. (EOG/CS - pages 166 - 169)
- CS issue hat - Wool Felt, hand-stitched leather sweatband, label in crown, double stitched on brim (North South Trader Magazine, Vol. XVIII Number 6, pages 32 - 42. For a back issue copy, please call (703) 672-4845)
- Kepi or Cap - Gray jean wool, tarred canvas or leather bill, leather or painted cloth sweatband (EOG/CS - pages 163 & 163)
- Jackets:
The common issue jacket from the Richmond Depot, as classified by Mr. Les Jensen, at the time of the Battle of Sailor’s Creek the Richmond Depot Type II & III would have been the jackets of use by the ANV. However, we will allow some enlisted untrimmed frock coats and sack coats.- RD II jacket
- a six piece body
- nine (9)-button front
- epaulets
- belt loops.
- The majority of the Type II jackets would have been made of jean cloth.
- RD III jacket
- a six piece body
- (9) Nine or (8) eight button front
- NO epaulets or belt loops
- Cloth for RD III will be Blue/Grey Kersey (English Import).
- Also accepted are Peter Tait jackets.
- RD II jacket
- Trousers:
The predominant style of trouser seen by the men we are portraying would have been the Richmond Depot or civilian style trousers. The trousers would have been supplied by the Richmond Clothing Bureau, State issue, Southern Lady Relief Societies or Family Members .- Civilian Jean - Original Patterns in gray, blue, brown or black. Hand top stitching, with hand-sewn buttonholes (EOG/CS - pages 125, 1245, 146, 152 & 153). Buttons of bone, composition or stamped tin.
- Civilian Wool - Identified style and pattern, hand-sewn buttonholes (EOG/CS - page 152. Buttons of bone or composition.
- Military Issue - Richmond Depot style - Mule ear pockets, no yoke. Back belt with buckle. Made from jean or wool kersey for time period of spring '64 through winter '65. Wool kersey of the proper weight may be used for spring '64 through Appomattox. Buttons may be bone, composition, or japanned tin of the proper style. Confederate issue wooden trouser buttons are acceptable in limited numbers after spring '64. Hand finished topstitching and buttonholes.
- Military Issue - Other Depot Styles. Side seam pockets, no yoke. Back belt with buckle, and made from jean or cassimere. Buttons may be bone, composition, or japanned tin of the proper style. Confederate issue wooden trouser buttons are acceptable in limited numbers after spring '64. Hand finished topstitching and buttonholes.
- Shirts:
A wide variety of shirts fashioned in the 1860’s civilian or military style is acceptable. Shirts should be of a documented pattern and made from documented fabrics. For shirts, osnaburg (a type of cotton fabric), wool flannel, cotton flannel, and cotton muslin are all acceptable. Buttons should be of period materials including, but not limited to wood, bone, glass, and tin.- Civilian Shirts - Fabrics must be woven of 100% natural fibers, i.e. cotton or wool. Plaids and checks should be woven. Basic assembly may be machine sewn, but exterior details and buttonholes shall be hand sewn. Buttons shall be of appropriate size and made of glass, bone, agate or wood. (EOG/US - page 126, EOG/CS - pages 154 & 155)
- Military Issue Shirts - Fabrics must be woven of 100% natural fibers, i.e. cotton or wool. Military issue shirts were made of primarily of heavy unbleached muslin, osnaburg, or wool flannel. Basic assembly may be machine sewn, but exterior details and buttonholes shall be hand sewn. Buttons shall be of appropriate size and made of glass, bone, agate or wood. In either case, no prints or machine stitched buttonholes. (EOG/US - page 126, EOG/CS - pages 154 & 155)
- Suspenders/Braces: A civilian pattern of proper period materials and attachments.
- Drawers:
Period drawers are encouraged. Drawers should be made of cotton osnaburg or cotton flannel. Long drawers typically had ribbon or string ties at the ankles. Buttons should be of bone, wood, or glass.- Civilian Pattern - Cotton Osnaburg or muslin, cotton or wool flannel. Bone, glass or wood buttons with hand sewn buttonholes. (EOG/CS - page 154)
- Military Pattern - Cotton Osnaburg or muslin or cotton flannel. Bone, glass or wood buttons with hand sewn buttonholes. (EOG/US - page 27)
- Footwear:
- Socks:
A wide variety of military and civilian patterns are available for socks. Socks of wool or cotton are encouraged. Please be sure that these socks are hand knitted, and not the rag wool available at modern camping outlets. It is highly suggested to wear a tight wool weave sock.- Civilian Socks, particularly hand knitted cotton or wool (EOG/CS - page 175)
- Military Issue Socks, machine knitted cotton are proper period styles for the 1860’s.
- Shoes:
The shoes seen on Confederate Soldiers during Lee’s Final Retreat encompass a wide variety. Shoes issued by the Richmond Clothing Bureau, civilian shoemakers, and British imports are appropriate.- Confederate Issue Shoes (EOG/CS - pages 174 & 175)
- English boots or shoes - Military or Civilian Styles (EOG/CS - page 174)
- Identified Civilian boots or shoes - Boots and shoes of a civilian pattern, which have been identified, are permitted. For impressions after winter 1862, boots had generally limited use in most infantry units. (EOG/US - page 172)
- Federal Issue Shoe - generally limited Confederate use. (EOG/US - page 191)
- Socks:
- Officers Clothing
Regimental Staff & Company Officers: Frock Coats are desirable with correct insignia. However, for this time of the war it is appropriate for line officers to have a more dress down appearance. It will be acceptable for officers to wear shell jackets, commercial sack coats for officers. Head gear officer kepi or slouch hat will be acceptable. - Accouterments
The Richmond Arsenal supplied the Army of Northern Virginia with it accoutrements (Cartridge Box. Cap Pouch, Bayonet Scabbards, and waist belts). The Richmond Depot would have supplied the Haversacks, Knapsacks and Ground Clothes and Blankets. In October of 1863 the Richmond Depot stopped making Knapsacks and was relying on Imported Knapsacks. Some Federal gear will be acceptable.- Leather Goods
Richmond Arsenal Style leather goods are expected. This includes a cap box, infantryman’s belt, bayonet scabbard with metal tip, and a cartridge box with tins. The NPS and most state parks require that the lamb’s wool inside the cap box be securely fixed and that each participant has cartridge box tins. Each man’s leathers should be in good shape and well maintained.- Any Army of Northern Virginia identified Cartridge and/or Cap box.
- Richmond Arsenal Cartridge Box (EOG/CS - page 197)
- English Made Imported Enfield Pattern Cartridge Box and Cap Box
- Christian S. Storms (CS Storms of New York, NY - Contractor box) "Directory of American Military Goods Dealers and Makers, 1785-1915" by Bazelon and McGuinn - page 160.
- Captured Federal issue 1855 .58 cal Cartridge/Cap Box - Early versions, general use. Later war issue, limited use. Model 1842 .69 cal. boxes and follow on variants for either belt or sling carriage.
- Tarred canvas, limited Confederate use (EOG/CS - page 198)
- Imported S. Isaac's & Campbell
- Any Army of Northern Virginia identified plate or buckle.
- Georgia Frame Plate (EOG/CS - page 190 & 195)
- C.S. "Forked - Tongue" Buckle (EOG/CS - page 196)
- Roller Buckle (EOG/CS - pages 192 & 195)
- Richmond Arsenal - painted canvas - Roller Buckle or used with plate. Issued after summer '63.
- Any identified ANV frog and scabbard.
- Imported English frog and scabbard. (EOG/CS - page 39)
- U.S. non-regulation 7 or 8 rivet pattern. Limited use. (EOG/US - page 202)
- Haversacks Any Richmond, Documented Confederate Style, or Captured Federal Style Haversack is acceptable.
- C.S. Issue - Bag of identified C.S. pattern. Button or buckle enclosure. (EOG/CS - Page ##)
- U.S. Issue - Bag of identified U.S. pattern. Tarred type with buckle and inner bag with hand-sewn button hole(s). (EOG/US - pages 199, 210, and 211)
- Canteens Any Richmond Depot, Documented Confederate Style, or Captured Federal Style Canteen is appropriate.
- Wooden Style - Made of cedar/cypress/cherry/etc. Various styles. Confederate and British manufacture. (EOG/CS - page 209)
- Tin Drum Style - various styles and sizes. Avoid oversize or very large canteens of this type. With or without jean or wool cover. Strap may be cotton, linen or leather or a properly documented style. Leather straps must have proper hardware. (EOG/CS - pages 210 & 211)
- U.S. Issue - Smooth side type - used throughout the war but more prevalent '61 - '63. Bulls Eye Type used after spring '63. With or without jean cloth or wool cover. Strap may be cotton, linen or leather or a properly documented style. Leather straps must have proper hardware. (EOG/US - pages 199, 209, 207 & 208)
- Knapsacks - Any documented Richmond Depot, Confederate Style, British Import, or Captured Federal Style
Knapsack is appropriate. The Richmond Depot stopped manufacturing knapsack in the summer of 1863.
- Mexican War Pattern (EOG/CS - page 39)
- Imported English - S. Isaac & Campbell Co. or Ross & Co. (EOG/CS - page 207)
- Confederate Issue - Manufacture of any above style.
- Federal Issue Double Bag - Limited Confederate use (EOG/US - pages 212 & 213)
- Kibler soft pack-(EOG/CS-page 202)
- Blankets, Ground cloths Blankets should be of natural materials and good construction in period weaves
and weights, with subdued colors. Coverlets are all the rage these days, but unfortunately many, if not most,
of the coverlets beings used by reenactors date from the colonial revival period in the late 19th century,
and are not correct for civil war use. As such, we discourage the use of coverlets unless the piece is of
known provenance. Ground Cloths can be of painted canvas, oilcloth, or rubber.
- Civilian - 100% Wool or Jean - No synthetic blends. Should be muted earth tones. Browns, grays, and blue are acceptable colors. Bindings should be hand sewn.
- North Carolina Issue (EOG/CS - page 203) or Other Confederate State Issues
- Quilts - "Homespun" i.e. all hand made - All natural fibers. No "bright" or otherwise modern colors. No modern patterns. Size variable from 40"x 72" to 50"x 80".
- Captured U.S. Issue - U.S. Issue blankets of either gray or brown. (EOG/US - page 214)
- Linseed soaked cotton canvas - with or without grommets.
- Linseed oil & Lamp Black mix painted cotton canvas or drill - with or without grommets.
- Confederate Issue Oil Cloth - Canvas painted with oil or enamel paint. With or without grommets.
- Captured Federal Issue - Rubber blanket or poncho. Limited use (EOG/US - page 215)
- Rubber coated linen or cotton sheeting. Imported, limited use.
- Tentage We are portraying the ANV on the move during the final stage of the war Tentage would be light,
and be carried by the soldiers or in the limited space in the company wagon. No A-Tents, Wall Tents, and/or
Sibley Tents will be allowed. However, each company is encouraged to be equipped with either a company fly
or individual shelter halves for protection from the elements. The company canvas will be turned into the
brigade quartermaster to be stored on the supply wagon.
- Captured shelter half, early war style (shorter version), 100% canvas with NO brass grommets or rope. Hand-sewn buttonholes with bone buttons. Limited use (EOG/US - page 214)
- Confederate "issue" rain fly - Cotton canvas grommets of appropriate size and material. Dimensions should generally be 7 ft. X 8 ft. To 8 ft. X 9 ft. And generally no more than 8 ft x 12 ft.
- Armaments By April 1865 the primary weapon was the British Model 1853 Enfield Rifle Musket. However, we cannot require that every participant own or purchase Enfield, but they are highly recommended as the weapon of choice. A bayonet appropriate for the piece should accompany all weapons.
- Leather Goods
website: GTodd
November 4, 2004