Confederate Uniform and Gear Guidelines

Confederate Uniform and Gear Guidelines

We do not wish to exclude any individuals from participating at Return to the Ranks 1863,
but we will require a minimal standard of dress to conform with the historical realities of
the common soldier in the 42nd Regiment Georgia Volunteer Infantry. If you are lacking
in a certain item please feel free to contact Robby Mitchell and we will attempt to borrow
a replacement item. The following list is made with the most preferential items listed as
"1" to the least preferrential items. All button holes on all garments should be hand sewn.
Military participants will have two choices with concern to their impression - they can be
recent arrivals to the reorganization camp and would be attired primarily in their civilian
garments or they can be already outfitted within their company. I will discuss this more
thoroughly in the future.

A. Coat or Jacket - buttons will consist of wood, "penny," block-I', cast I, thermo-plastic,
NC starburst or Georgia Seal. NO post-war Ga. seal buttons such as the GMA or State
Patrol button. All button holes will be hand-sewn. Issuance documents from the Fall of
1863 indicate that several "coats" were being issued to the 42nd. I take this to mean frock
coats. These documents also mention "jackets" but give no further description.
1. Military jacket of deep south depot pattern such as the Columbus Depot, Alabama
Mystery, etc. NC jackets ok. NO Richmond Depot jackets.
2. Military Frock Coat with little trim
3. Civilian Sack Coat
4. Civilian Frock Coat

B. Trousers - buttons will consist of wood, bone, "penny," thermo-plastic, tin, japanned
tin, lead, or pewter. NO outlandish plaids or tartans for material. No fall-front trousers.
1. Deep south depot issue trousers
2. Civilian trousers
3. Ga. Relief Society trousers

C. Shirt - Civilian shirt with glass, mother-of-pearl, bone or therm-plastic buttons. Records
indicate that "yarn" over-shirts were also being issued to the 42nd.

D. Headgear
1. Civilian slouch hat made of wool felt or beaver. NO floppy, unblocked "hill billy" hats.
NO big feathers, coon peckers, Irish harps, hat brass, etc. Should be properly lined.
2. Military kepi - records indicate that a small number of these were issued in early 1864.
3. "Quilted" hat similar to Gen. Lee hat on page 171 of Echoes of Glory.

E. Vest - optional.
1. Civilian style made of linen, wool, jeans-wool, or silk.
2. Military style made of wool, linen or jeans-wool.

F. Footwear - NO gaiters!
1. Jefferson pattern brogans
2. Civilian oxfords such as M. Page Lapham shoe on page 175 of Echoes of Glory.
3. Civilian mid-calf boots. No knee-highs.
4. Canvas Ga. Issue shoes.

G. Eye glasses - period correct frames with small oval or round lenses. No plastic nose
pieces or ear pieces.

F. Firearms - Records indicate that a large number of Lorenz rifles were issued to the 42nd
Ga. immediately after the regiment was reorganized. Over the next 7 months these guns
were replaced with the Pattern 1853 Enfield rifle-musket. Obviously few re-enactors will
have an original Lorenz, so we will emphasize the usage of the P-1853 Enfield. All
reproduction weapons should be de-farbed. Bayonets will be necessary. If you do not have
a P-1853 the following will suffice: M-1855 Springfield, M-1861 Springfield, M-1816
Springfield (converted), M-1840 Springfield (converted), M-1842 Springfield.

I. Accoutrements - Avoid usage of war time manufactured US issue "captured" items.
Prior to Feb. 1864, the 42nd had little means of capturing items!
1. Cartridge Box - English manufacture, deep south depot, pre-war musket types
2. Cap Pouch - English manufacture, deep south depot, pre-war types.
3. Waist Belt - Civilian roller buckle, "Ga. frame," CS deep south issue, NO upside down
US "southern nation" belt plates.
4. Canteen - CS tin drum, wooden
5. Haversack - Canvas, linen, carpeting, tarred canvas.
6. Knapsack - CS issue, English manufacture, Mexican War
7. Blanket - Civilian, English manufacture, CS issue, coverlet. NO quilts.
J. Prohibited Items - If our ancestors can survive without 'em we can too. Modern
cigarettes, cigars (enlisted,) modern "rail road" bandannas, wrist watches, modern pocket
watches (stem wind,) pistols (enlisted,) gaiters, ANY modern anachronism.