1. Primary Shell Jacket:
   
   

   All members of the 4th Virginia are to secure, as their primary tunic, the Richmond Depot Clothing Bureau shell jacket that Les Jensen has designated as "Type II" with the following characteristics:
   

   Wool, satinette, kersey, cassimere or jean cloth, of a non-charcoal grey/dark grey color, which should be purchased from a vendor listed on the 4th Virginia approved vendor list.
   
   

   Lined in osnaburg, waverly, cotton drill, or correct color/pattern;
   
   

   Belt loops are left to the discretion of the member units or individual;
   
   

   The buttons for the jacket are to be either VA state (correct period brass), brass block "I", Script "I", Federal Eagle, coin, or plain brass. Pewter buttons are not acceptable.
   
   

   There is to be no colored trim or piping on the jacket unless a member voluntarily chooses to temporarily add black trim to his jacket for purposes of complying with event-specific uniform standards.
   
   

2. Secondary Shell Jacket: - Peter Tait Jacket or Blue/Grey Kersey Type II or Type III
   
   

   After the first jacket is acquired, the individual may secure a second jacket made of blue-grey kersey wool in the pattern of the last two types issued by the Richmond Clothing Bureau, or the English style known as the Peter Tait. Shoulder straps are left to the discretion of the member units or individual. Due to documentation, this type of jacket will only be worn at events where the period portrayed falls after May 1863.
   
   
   

3. Frock Coats
   
   

   After the initial jacket is acquired, the individual may secure a second jacket of correct frock coat style and pattern. This jacket is to be made of light to mid gray wool or jean cloth, lined in osnaburg, waverly, cotton drill, or correct color/pattern cotton. Whether the coat is trimmed or not is left up to the discretion of the member, or the member's unit, but if trim is chosen it should be of black cotton tape. The wearing of this jacket will only be allowed at events that represent 1861 or 1862.
   
   

• All shoes or boots must be of correct period style, material, and construction.
  
  
• Documented Confederate or U.S. issue brogans; Jefferson Bootee; Low Quarter British Import Shoe. Black or russet leather. Pegged or sewn soles.
  
  

• Trousers are to be of the Richmond Clothing Bureau pattern in period fabric from an approved vendor.
  
  
• Brown wool or civilian pattern trousers in various colors are not acceptable.
  
  

1. Slouch Hats:
   
   • Slouch hats with rolled brim;
     
   • Ribbon around base of crown and brim;
     
   • High or low crown;
     
   • Colors of black, tan, brown, or grey;
     
   • Correct period linings are encouraged.
     
     
2. Kepi:
   
   • Should be the same color and materials as for jackets and trousers.
     
   • Federal forage caps are permitted on a limited basis.
     
     
3. Civilian style wheel/mechanic hat (no Mexican War military type).
   
   

Must be of period style and construction. If you are in doubt, please check with a Standards Committee member.

1. Cartridge Box (Black leather only)
   Acceptable patterns:
   
   • Model 1841 Cartridge Box (.54 cal)
     
   • Model 1842 Cartridge Box (.69 cal)
     
   • Model 1855 Cartridge Box (.58 cal)
     
   • Richmond Arsenal copies of the above models
     
   • Enfield Pattern Cartridge Box (British import)
     
     
2. Cap Box: (Black leather or tarred canvas)
   
   • Model 1850 U.S.
     
   • Federal issue shield front
     
   • Richmond Arsenal copy of these types
     
   • Enfield pattern cap box
     
     
3. Waist Belt: (Black leather or tarred canvas)
   Acceptable Buckles:
   
   • Virginia State (state seal in wreath)
     
   • Plain brass
     
   • Frame (Georgia style or serpent tongued style)
     
   • British snake
     
   • Blackened roller
     
   • U.S. Plate (rarely used)
     
   • Square C.S.A. plate (eastern theatre model only; although there is documentation that the 4th Virginia was issued these, this style should not be prevalent due to the small quantities actually issued)
     
     
4. Bayonet Scabbard: (Black leather or blackened canvas)
   
   • Gaylord Pattern (U.S. or C.S.)
     
   • British Enfield style
     
     

1. Muskets and Rifles: (three band types only; must have a bayonet to fit weapon)
   
   • U.S. Model 1816 (converted to percussion)
     
   • U.S. Models 1842, 1855, 1861, and 1863
     
   • Enfield pattern 1842 or 1853
     
   • Austrian Lorenz, model 1842
     
   • Belgian model 1859
     
   • Richmond Arsenal - first or second model
     
     
2. Sidearms:
   
   

   Revolvers are restricted to commissioned officers only and must be of period pattern and of percussion ignition.
   
   

3. Edged Weapons:
   
   

   Knives may be carried by the rank and file and must be of period pattern and secured by sheaths (see Echos of Glory pp. 78-79; however, large "bowie knives" should be in no way prevalent within the ranks). Bayonets should be carried by all musket-carrying participants and should be serviceable with the weapon they are carrying.
   
   

4. Cartridges:
   
   

   Must be of period construction; of paper, closed with string or folded. Aluminum foil, tape, staples, and similar closure methods will not be allowed. Cartridges should appear authentic.
   
   

1. Canteen:
   
   • Wooden "Gardner pattern" canteen (see EOG p. 209)
     
   • Federal Issue
     
   • C.S. Richmond tin drum
     
     
2. Haversack:
   
   

   Documented Federal or Confederate Issue; of proper style and pattern.
   
   

3. Cartridge Box Sling:
   
   

   Black leather or tarred canvas
   
   

4. Knapsack:
   
   • Documented C.S. type
     
   • U.S. model 1851 "double bag" (and subsequent late war patterns)
     
   • U.S. model 1853 "single bag"
     
   • British S. Isaac Campbell & Co.
     
     
5. Blanket Rolls:
   
   

   Blankets, oil cloths, gum blankets, and shelter halves must be of period materials and construction.
   
   

6. Shirts:
   
   

   Military or civilian pattern; cottons, wool, flannel; cloth or proper colors/patterns to the period.
   
   

The Richmond Depot "Type II" shell jacket is characterized by a six piece body and two piece sleeves, with shoulder straps and belt loops, and a nine button front.

In terms of construction, the only real difference between a Type II and Type III jacket is that Type III jackets did not have shoulder straps or belt loops.

In terms of fabric - all surviving Type III jackets are made out of Blue/Grey Kersey imported from England (this material is also referred to as "cadet grey wool kersey" - however, the modern cadet grey bears no resemblance to period English Blue/Grey Kersey).

There is a general opinion held by some historians today that Type III jackets produced by the Richmond Depot were exclusively made with English Blue/Grey Kersey. (See Echos of Glory pp. 136-137, 139). At a minimum, 100% grey wool Tpe III jackets were extremely rare and usually only worn by officers.

1. Richmond Depot Type I Jackets: November 1861 until Spring 1862
   
   

   While there is no definitive dates for when the three shell jacket styles identified by Les Jensen were produced by the Richmond Depot Clothing Bureau, there is a general belief that the first type of jacket may have been produced from the late fall (November) of 1861 until spring of 1862. This "Type I" jacket was similar in construction to a "Type II" jacket described above - with the addition of black piping on the shoulder straps, collar, and sleeve.
   
   
   

2. Richmond Depot Type II Jackets: Spring 1862 through end of the war.
   
   

   The Type II jacket was produced from approximately the spring of 1862 through at least mid-1864, and probably through the end of the war, thus being the type issued for the longest duration of time from the depot, and therefore the most common. The Type II jacket is most appropriate for a mid-war impression.
   
   

3. Richmond Depot Type III jackets: mid-1864 until the end of the war.
   
   

   Note: Research regarding uniforms from the Staunton Depot is still being conducted. At this point, it appears that the Staunton Depot utilized the same uniform patterns as the Richmond Depot.
   

Richmond Depot Clothing Bureau records found at the National Archives in Washington D.C. indicate that, after late 1862, 100% grey woolen material was not produced in any significant quantity by the mills providing the Clothing Bureau with materials for uniforms. Records indicate that in 1863, for example, approximately 90% of all uniform material produced for the Richmond depot was jean cloth and cassimere.

These materials were usually dyed grey or brownish-grey with natural dyes such as sweet gum bark, logwood, and sumac. The natural dyes would fade with exposure to the sun into a variety of brownish/earth-toned hues. Jean cloth is characterized by a 2/1 twill with a cotton warp and a wool filling, while cassimere cloth has a 2/2 twill. Although no known documentation exists, it is probable that satinette was only utilized for uniform construction by the depot early in the war possibly through mid-1862 - satinette is not as durable as jean cloth and also requires a bit more wool. Technically, satinette also has a woolen weft or fill and a cotton warp like jean cloth - but satinette was loomed in such a manner so that it looks more like an all wool broadcloth - sometimes described as a 4/1 or 5/1 twill.

Based upon the information currently available - for a mid-war impression: a Type II jacket made of jean cloth or cassimere would be most appropriate. For a late war impression - a Type III jacket (or a Peter Tait jacket describe below) made of blue/grey kersey is most appropriate.

The "Peter Tait" jacket was manufactured in Limerick, Ireland. This blue/grey kersey wool jacket is characterized by a five-piece body, two-piece sleeve, and an eight-button front. The dominant number of surviving examples have linen, rather than cotton, linings. The linings were stamped with a British Army sizing system. Some Tait jackets had shoulder straps and some did not. The front edges of the jacket were machine stitched. Some surviving jackets are trimmed with royal blue on the edges of the collar and shoulder straps.

Records indicate that the Richmond Depot Clothing Bureau received large quantities of blue/grey English kersey in mid-1863. There are surviving Type II shell jackets made with this material. Peter Tait jackets were probably imported from mid-1863 until the end of the war.

We know of the issuance of these English blue gray kersey uniforms to the Stonewall Brigade in late May of 1863. In a letter written by Alexander Tedford Barclay, a member of Company I, 4th Virginia, dated May 26, 1863, Barclay wrote to his sister that: "as I was getting tolerably ragged, the brigade secured a supply of English clothes. So as I was one of the needy ones, I am rigged in a splendid suit of blue."

Eric Mink found another letter in the Manuscript Collection of the Fredericksburg and Spotsylvania National Military Park. This letter was written by George L. Slifer of Company G, 2nd Virginia on January 7, 1865. In this letter, Slifer - probably writing from the trenches of the Richmond/Petersburg line - reassures his uncle that: "since we have bin down here we have bin supplied with clothing" and that he "drew a new inglish suit, so you can see I want nothing but piece and our independence."

Over a decade ago, the "Stonewall" Brigade chose to set down uniform standards for its members. It was decided that the Brigade would adopt a mid to late war appearance and that standards for uniforms would reflect that choice. With regards to the jacket, the Richmond Depot style in either the "Type II" or "Type III" was chosen as the uniform coat that all members were to wear. In 1996, this was amended to allow the Peter Tait style of jacket to be worn, only for events that represented the period from May 1863 through the end of the war. This amendment continued to adhere to our chosen impression of mid to late war infantry in the Army of Northern Virginia.

Recently, the reenacting community has witnessed a growing shift toward events that either suggest or require participants to hone their impression in an effort to more accurately portray the time period of that particular event. This has had little impact upon our impression when the event is portraying the years 1863 to 1864. However, more and more events are being scheduled that are either battles or living histories that represent the first two years of the war. This year, 2001, we have scheduled a battle reenactment and living history that depict events that occurred in 1861, and two battles reenactments that are asking for 1862 impressions. For this reason, I am proposing a change to the Brigade's standards that would allow for a more refined impression to include 1861 and 1862.

The central government supply system did not get into full swing until mid to late 1862. Therefore, the Richmond Depot "Type I" would be unacceptable for an 1861, and most of 1862, impression. For this reason, I suggest, and propose, that the standards be amended to include the wearing of a frock coat for events that choose to portray troops in 1861 and 1862. The frock coat was never issued, by the central government, to the armies. It was an item of clothing that was either received from the state, or more frequently from home. While clothing from home varied considerably, I believe that we should still hold true to our initial desire to have some uniformity within the ranks.

When the original uniform standards were compiled and written, the color of cloth that was chosen was a dark gray. This decision was based on photographic investigations at the time, which of course gave little evidence as to the color of the original soldiers' uniforms. As the jackets in period images appeared to be dark in shade, that was what the Brigade decided upon. Since then, much research has been conducted and there appears to be little to suggest that Confederate uniforms were ever made from dark gray cloth. No originals survive that are of this shade and it would have been rather expensive, at the time, to have dyed cloth to a dark hue. Therefore, my suggestion is that in choosing cloth for a frock coat, it would be encouraged to go with a light to mid shade of gray, either wool or jean being acceptable. Many surviving frock coats also trim, around the collar and/or the cuffs, and the vast majority of the trim is black. The choice of whether to "decorate" the coat with trim or not would be left up to the individual.

I believe that a change to allow the wearing of frock coats at events representing the first two years of the war will give us a wider range of impressions and allow us to participate at events that have more stringent uniform requirements or guidelines. With all of this said, my proposal to amend the "Stonewall" Brigade Uniform Standards reads as such: