General Guidelines

These are the standards we should strive for. Not everyone will meet these Guidelines right away, that is to be expected.

VETERANS, we are not suggesting you should discard the gear you have obtained through the years, but as you get new items through attrition or the desire to upgrade, this list should be your guide.

NEW RECRUITS , BUY THE RIGHT STUFF THE FIRST TIME !!!! This will save you money in the long run, plus it will help you fit in. If your vendor doesn't know what you are asking for call me before you buy.

Confederate Guidelines

Uniforms

All uniform items must be made from period correct and documented materials. All visible stitching shouldbe done by had excepted where documented. The EOG pages refer to the Arms & Equipment of the Confederacy Volume.

1. Jackets
   1. The plain so called "Mystery" jacket. This should be of Gray or Tan Jean Cloth Pages 141-142 EOG
   2. Atlanta Arsenal, with or with out blue trim
   3. Single Breasted  Frock in Jean Cloth
   4. Civilian Jackets or coats can be worn if documented
   5. An over or "Battle" shirt of proper construction, DO NOT BUY A BIB FRONT SHIRT FROM A SUTLER ! Before you go this route talk to an expierenced trooper.

    

2. Trousers
   1. Army Issue gray or tan jean cloth with side seam or mule ear pockets. These must be of correct pattern.
   2. Civilian trousers jeans, wool, satinet, cotton, etc. Most common colors are black, brown, blue or gray. see EOG - pages  125, 145, 146, 149, 152 & 153
   3. Captured sky blue federal trowsers. These should be limited in number, they are way over represented in the hobby.

    

3. Shirts
   1. Civilian shirts: Cotton in checks, stripes, plaids or solids.
   2. Army Issue plain off-white cotton with three button placket front, underarm gussets, fold down collar, fold back cuffs, no pockets.

    

4. Vests
   1. Vests: either a lay down civilian style collar or a military stand up collar. Double or single breasted in wool, jeans, satinet, etc. Colors tend to be black, brown, blue, gray - the same as trousers.

    

5. Drawers
   1. Issue drawers: Cotton onasburg or heavy muslin sheeting of period pattern.
   2. Civilian drawers: of same materials as above or homespun cotton. Wool or woolen mixture is also common. see EOG page 154

    

6. Braces/Suspenders
   1. Civilian: No suspenders were issued, thus patterns would be various civilian styles; made of woven cotton tape, leather, ticking, woven patterned material, crochet, etc. with period buckles of brass or tin plated brass (no nickel plated buckles).

    

7. Socks
   1. Civilian socks: knitted of wool or cotton in any of many period patterns and colors (mostly muted natural tones). see EOG page 175
   2. Issue socks: unbleached cotton or wool.

    

8. Foot Wear
   1. Issue brogans:  see EOG pages 174-175 Very much under represented and less expensive than boots.
   2. Civilian brogans: smooth or rough side out. see EOG page 174
   3. Boots: correct period pattern-square toes, one piece fronts.

    

9. Head Wear
   1. Civilian hats: flat or round crown, low or high crown, beehive, etc. Black, brown, or gray. Most have edge trim. Pay proper attention to lining and sweatband. see EOG pages 166-169
   2. Kepi: Gray jean-wool, tarred canvas or leather bill, leather sweatband (an original on display at Kennesaw Mountain Visitor's Center). see EOG pages 162 & 163

    

10. Neck Wear
    1. Kerchief of cotton, either solid, woven check, or period calico print (no modern printed kerchiefs).
    2. Period-style silk cravat or neck tie, printed or solid, tied in period fashion.
    3. Many period photographs show men without neck wear of any sort, but the top button is always buttoned.

1. Cartridge Box
   1. William Brands and Company Tarred Canvas, Columbus, GA
   2. Atlanta Arsenal
   3. G. N. Wyman Augusta, GA

    

2. Cap Pouch
   1. Williams Brands and Company Columbus, GA
   2. Atlanta Arsenal
   3. G. N. Wyman Augusta, GA

    

3. Waist Belt
   1. Leather or painted canvas (with leather ends)
   2. Buckle should be C. S. A. rectangle, clipped corner, roller buckle, Georgia Frame or forked tongue buckle.

    

4. Haversack
   1. Confederate Issue.
   2. Federal Issue Limited use.
   3. Period Civilian Style.
5. Canteen
   1. Gardner Pattern is the most common.
   2. Knuckles Pattern.
   3. Any documented Army of Tennessee.
   4. Federal Issue limited use.
6. Blankets
   1. Documented Army of Tennessee
   2. Civilian Blankets
   3. N. C. Issue Limited use.
   4. Federal Issue Limited use.
7. Tentage
   1. Shelter half Confederate or Federal Issue.
   2. Many soldiers were completely without tents. Shebangs made of ground cloths, gum blankets, scraps of canvas and brush arbors are fine. A-frame or wall tents are not allowed.

***No anachronisms-this includes modern eyeglasses, modern jewelry, wristwatches, etc. Smoking and tobacco use should be in period fashion only, such as plug tobacco and pipes (cigars are o.k. for officers).

1. Saddles
   1. Federal Issue McClellan Although over represented, it offers the the rider the flexiablity to galvanize.
   2. Hope pattern saddles. Under represented, especially the Atlanta Arsenal Hope.
   3. Jennifer saddle documented to Army of Tennessee.
   4. Confederate Issue McClellan Columbus or Augusta Arsenals
2. Blankets
   1. Period civilian styles.
   2. Confederate issue.
   3. Federal Infantry or Cavalry
   4. Blankets woven from Spanish Moss documented to Army of Tennessee.
   5. Documented imports
3. Halters
   1. Confederate issue Single Ring-Augusta Arsenal.
   2. Atlanta Arsenal (halters and bridles).
   3. Columbus Depot.
   4. Federal halters documented usage.
   5. Period Civilian styles.
4. Bridles
   1. Augusta Arsenal.
   2. Atlanta Arsenal halters and bridles.
   3. M 1841 Dragoon double rein bridle and bit.
   4. Columbus Depot.
   5. Period civilian styles.
5. Bits
   1. Documented period civilian .
   2. Confederate issue bit.
   3. M 1841 Dragoon bit.
   4. US issue bit
   5. Period style snaffle
6. Breast Collar (Optional)
   1. Civilian period styles.
   2. Confederate issue.
   3. Federal issue limited use.
7. Surcingle (Optional)
   1. Confederate or Federal issue.
8. Knapsacks (Optional)
   1. M 1853 English pattern.
   2. M 1823 (Mexican War) pattern.
   3. French Pattern.
   4. M 1851 Federal Double Bag limited use.
9. Saddle Bags (Optional)
   1. Confederate Issue documented Army of Tennessee.
   2. Period civilian styles.
   3. US McClellan type
10. Valise (Optional)
    1. M 1841 Dragoon valise.
    2. Civilian style.

***Note: Halter, breast collars, bridles, should all be either harness or bridle weight leather. All tack should have correct period buckles and hardware.

1. Small Arms
   1. M 1853 Enfield two band rifle, three band rifle-musket, musketoon, or cavalry carbine.
   2. Austrian Rifle.
   3. Cook and Brother cavalry carbine.
   4. Mississippi rifle.
   5. J. P. Murray
   6. Sharps Carbine: Confederate or Federal Use.
   7. First Model Maynard carbine.
   8. Burnside Carbine.
   9. Hall Carbines.
   10. Shotguns, civilian weapons, bore muskets: limited use.
2. Revolvers
   1. M 1860 Colt Army.
   2. M 1851 Colt Navy.
   3. Any documented Army of Tennessee Confederate made Colts.
   4. Kerr English revolvers.

   **Note: by 1864 revolvers were becoming scarce; less than half of the Cavalrymen in the AOT had them.

3. Sabers (Optional)
   1. Pre-war U. S. Dragoon Sabers.
   2. Confederate made Cavalry Sabers: Nashville Plow Works, H. Marshall Co., Columbus Depot.
   3. M 1853 English saber
   4. US M1860 Light Cavalry Saber

   **Note: the same caution applies with sabers as with pistols, but even more so.

Use as a guide.

1. Saddlebred.
2. Plantation Walker.
3. Thoroughbred.
4. Arabian.
5. Quarter Horse.
6. Morgans.

***No anachronisms-this includes modern eyeglasses, modern jewelry, wristwatches, etc. Smoking and tobacco use should be in period fashion only, such as plug tobacco and pipes Modern Cigarettes are incorrect and should be kept hidden.