8th Kansas Federal Infantry

Uniform & Equipment

GUIDING IMPRESSION: 8th Kansas Volunteer Infantry Regiment in the prescribed Fatigue Uniform per the U.S. Army Regulations of 1861. All items are expected to be of period construction and made from period correct natural materials. The items listed below are in order of preference.

This is a campaign event and our guiding impression is of Soldiers who had been on active campaign for four months and just survived a crushing defeat (55% of their Regiment were killed, wounded or captured) at Chickamauga in the past week.

First person accounts from Soldiers of the 8th Kansas remarked that the rebel pickets they faced at Chattanooga during the siege were better dressed than they were. New clothing and equipment items should be avoided if possible.
 

Thanks to Pete Berezuk for all his research and help in developing these guidelines.

Uniform Items

Coat: 1. Lined or Unlined Dark Blue Flannel Fatigue Blouse of any 1858 to 1863 arsenal or contract pattern required

          2. Enlisted Infantry Frock Coats permitted. Private Purchase coats are discouraged and ‘State’ or ‘Infantry’ Jackets of any pattern will not be permitted.

Headgear: 1. Issue Forage Caps and Dress Hats are preferred.

                  2. Civilian slouch hats in black are permitted.

Footwear: 1. Federal issue Jefferson Bootees preferred.

                  2. Civilian pattern brogans or boots permitted, but discouraged.

Trousers: Sky Blue Federal Foot Pattern Trousers of an 1861 to 1863 arsenal or contract variant required. Private Purchase trousers are discouraged.

Shirt: 1. Federal Issue pattern of domet flannel preferred

           2. period civilian patterns permitted.

Drawers: 1. Federal Issue pattern of canton flannel preferred

                2. period civilian patterns permitted.

Socks: 1. Federal Issue patterns of cotton or wool preferred

            2. Hand knit civilian patterns permitted.

Ordnance Equipment

Weapon: 1. 1853 Enfield rifle-musket

                2. 1861 Springfield rifle-musket

                3. 1855 Springfield rifle-musket

No other long arms will be permitted.

Bayonet: Correct pattern for your weapon with a functional locking ring required.

Waist Belt: 1857 pattern waist belt with US belt plate required. Belts maybe of bridle, waxed or blackened buff leather.

Bayonet Scabbard: Two-rivet Gaylord pattern bayonet scabbard preferred. All sewn Gaylord pattern bayonet scabbards permitted.

Cap Pouch: Shield Front cap pouch preferred, All sewn 1850 Pattern cap pouches permitted.

Cartridge Box: 1. 1861 pattern .58 Cal cartridge box preferred,

                          2. 1857 pattern .69 Cal and .58 Cal cartridge boxes permitted.

US cartridge box and Eagle sling plates required. Box slings may be of bridle, waxed or blackened buff leather.


Personal Items

Canteen: Federal issue canteen (smoothside or bullseye) with cotton or linen sling and twine attachment preferred. New York Depot canteens with leather slings and chain attachments discouraged.

Haversack: Federal pattern painted cloth haversack required.

Knapsacks: Blanket Rolls preferred, 1855 pattern double bag knapsacks permitted.

Blanket: Federal Issue blanket in Grey or Brown preferred.

Ground Cloth: Federal Issue Gum Blanket preferred. Period Oil Cloths permitted.

Shelter Half: Federal Issue Shelter Halves with hand sewn grommets are encouraged but not required.

Mess Furniture: Tin Plate or Canteen Half, Cup and Utensils required. This is a campaign event so groups are encouraged to utilize a ‘Mess’ structure to provide for themselves with light frying pans, camp kettles and coffee pots.

Penknives, watches, jewelry, etc. must be of period style. "Comfort items," such as camp hats, balaclavas, scarves, mittens, gloves permitted. No MODERN EYEWEAR. Period personal hygiene items permitted. Prescription medications/contact lens care items should be concealed in period containers. Smoking items permitted, except for modern cigarettes.

This is a ‘Flat Haversack’ Event. No additional food items are permitted except for those with medical conditions requiring special dietary constraints.

Officers and NCO’s

This is a campaign event and research indicates that the 8th Kansas was very informal with the uniform of the Officer’s and NCO’s at this point in 1863. It is preferred that NCO’s wear issue uniforms only. NCO’s are permitted to wear rank chevrons and trouser stripes, but they are not required. Officers will be permitted wide latitude in their dress from private purchase clothing all the way to enlisted issue clothing. Officers are encouraged to wear subdued rank or no rank at all. Cavalry sabers are also acceptable for Officers for this event based on historical research.