Confederate Standards, Rules, and Regulations

All uniform items are listed in order of preference. EOG, refers to Time-Life’s Echoes of Glory (Alexandria, Va.: Time-Life Books, 1991)

Jackets
 
Listed in order of preference:

1. Richmond Depot “type II” jacket. These should be of light gray or gray-brown jean, satinette or cassimere.  Top-stitching and button holes should be done by hand.
   
   
2. Richmond Depot “type II” made of English imported kersey
   
   
3. “Commutation” style jacket, includes frock coat with little or no trim
   
   
4. Richmond Depot “type I” 
   

NCOs- All company NCOs are encouraged to wear correct NCO insignia.  When rank insignia is worn, only cotton or woolen tape shall be used, of which each piece shall be hand sewn directly onto the sleeves or collar. One piece embroidered patches with rank insignia are not permitted.
 
Trousers 

1. Richmond Depot Trouser of same materials listed above for RDII jackets.  Trousers should not have belt loops or leg creases.  The fly and waistband should be relatively narrow (i.e. not more than 1.0 to 1.25 inches).   The front edge of the trousers should reach the navel, rising towards the rear to come up beneath the back edge of the jacket or vest.  The pockets should be side-slit or mule-ear (French pockets).  All trousers must have button flies.  Either tiebacks or belt backs are acceptable but belt back trousers are preferred.  Buttons should be made of bone, pewter or black lacquered metal. 
   

Shirts

1. “Issue” shirts with documented CS provenance such as “Louisiana”, Campbell, Beam, Hollyday and Selden.   Fabrics must be woven of 100% natural fibers, i.e. cotton or wool.
    
2. Civilian pattern, 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. For shirts, osnaburg, wool flannel, cotton flannel, and cotton muslin are all acceptable.  Buttons should be of period materials including, but not limited to wood, bone, rubber, glass, and tin.
   
   
3. Captured M1851 Federal issue shirt or contract variant

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. 

Shoes

1. Federal issue shoes
2. Shoes with known Confederate provenance
3. British import shoes.
4. Civilian pattern shoes.

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. Socks issued by the Richmond Depot, Federal issue, and civilian are very appropriate. 

Hats

1. Slouch hats, civilian import, i.e. Beard hat.  No hat brass whatsoever will be allowed. black, brown, or gray in color.  Made of correct wool felt or shag.  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).
   
   
2. CS kepi. Gray jean wool, tarred canvas or leather bill, leather or painted cloth sweatband, with proper pattern and correct lining (EOG/CS - pages 163 & 163). No baseball cap shaped brims are allowed; no synthetic materials are allowed.
   
   
3. Captured Federal, to include 1855 dress “Hardee” or fatigue “forage” caps would have been available, especially after the battle. 

Firearms

We would like to see all firearms (three band types only) and bayonets “de-farbed,” i.e. modern makers marks removed and replaced with original type stamping. A bayonet appropriate for the piece should accompany all weapons.

1. Imported “Tower” Enfield rifled musket
2. Springfield M1861
3. Springfield/Harpers Ferry M1842
4. Springfield/Harpers Ferry M1855 (limited numbers)

Leather Goods

There is evidence that the 21st would have had access to, and would be wearing captured Federal gear.  It is encouraged that the caliber of your cartridge box match that of your weapon. All bayonet scabbard must have a metal or sewn tip, and a cartridge box must have tins.
 
Cartridge Box - acceptable patterns: 
- US Issue Model Model 1839 cartridge box (.69 cal)
- Model 1857 or 1861Cartridge Box (.58 cal)
- CS Issue of above patterns
- Enfield pattern (.577 cal)
                         
Cap Box - acceptable patterns:
- US Issue, shield front or M1850
- CS issue of above or similar patterns
- Enfield pattern
                         
Waist Belt - There is a lot of leeway here:
- English “Snake” belt, Single roller, “Georgia” frame, “forked tongue”, and a few “upside down” US belts would certainly be appropriate. It is even possible a few Federal “NCO” belts made it into the ranks as battlefield pickups.
           
Bayonet Scabbard:
- “Gaylord Pattern”(U.S. or C.S.) to include lead or sewn tip.  If you bring a Federal scabbard, 2 rivet style only.
- British Enfield style 

Haversacks

• US Quartermaster Issue or contract haversack
• CS Issue, made of “painted” or untreated cotton, must be of documented pattern       

Canteens

• US issue M1858 “Smoothside” w/leather or cotton webbing sling. 
• CS tin drum or Gardner pattern

Knapsacks

• US issue “double bag”
• CS single bag, or “Mexican War” style
• English import, I&C or “Trotter” style
• Blanket roll or “short” roll.

Blankets, Ground cloths

Blankets should be of natural materials and good construction in period weaves and weights, with muted period colors.  

Captured U.S. Issue  - U.S. Issue blankets of either gray or brown. (EOG/US - page 214).  Ground Cloths can be of painted canvas, oilcloth, or rubber.
 
Documented CS Issue: - 100% Wool or Jean - No synthetic blends.  Should be muted earth tones; browns, grays, and blue are acceptable colors.  Bindings should be hand sewn.  To include “imported” styles & patterns

Civilian -  To include coverlets, ingrain carpet, or quilts

Overcoats are encouraged as we are portraying troops in December.  The availability of CS “issue” coats is unclear.  The 21st was relatively close to home so they may have received some from loved ones.  They would certainly have had access to captured Federal overcoats after the battle.

Tentage

We are portraying an infantry regiment on campaign, tentage would be sparse, however Federal shelter halves of the type IIA and IIB  patterns will be permitted.  No A-Tents, Wall Tents, and/or Sibley Tents will be allowed.Units are permitted to bring tent flys with them in case of inclement weather.

General Rules Regarding Impressions:

1. The Event Hosts reserve the right to ask that anachronistic or inappropriate items be removed or replaced.
    
   
2. At all times during Saturday and Sunday (until departure), participants must wear period attire and conduct themselves as infantry soldiers of the ANV during the Fredericksburg campaign of 1862.
    
   
3. All participants are encouraged to develop first-person impressions appropriate to the event.  While this might not be an “immersion” type event, it may be preserved as such by some participants.  We ask that you respect this and use only period terms and vernacular while on duty.
    
   
4. Direction of the military activities, camping areas, etc.are the responsibility of the event staff, and they reserve the right of authoritative oversight in these matters.  Under no circumstances will modern items be permitted to be in camp. 
    
   
5. Uniform issuances to the 21st are unknown at this time.  It is very likely that they received some clothing, whether it was government issue or commutation, when they arrived in the Fredericksburg area late in November.  It is doubtful that any of the clothing from the campaigns earlier in the year remained come December.
    
   
6. Accoutrements should be in good condition and should be worn at or near waist level.  Bayonet scabbards must have tips (see above).  Rounds must be correctly constructed.
    
   
7. In general, the hosts retain the right to request participants to make adjustments to their impressions to the meet the needs of the event.