ANV Uniform Guidelines

7th South Carolina Infantry

 

It’s widely believed the soldiers in Hood’s and McLaw’s Divisions had been very recently supplied with all manner of clothing, weapons, accoutrements, etc from the CS Quartermaster in Richmond prior to boarding the trains to reinforce General Bragg’s army. The dark and light blue cloth mentioned below was most likely English cloth that had come through the blockade.

 

Trousers of Maj. Gen. William D. Pender. The trousers where were intended for issue to enlisted men and labeled "CAMBLELL & CO." on the inside. (from the Museum of the Confederacy)

“Our first impression was partly caused by the color of their uniform, dark blue-grey jackets and light blue pants….the superior style of their equipments in haversacks, canteens and knapsacks. The contrast between them and General Bragg’s motley ragged troops was striking in the extreme!”- AOT artilleryman

“Longstreet’s troops had recently been newly uniformed, consisting of a dark-blue round jacket, closely fitting, with light-blue trousers, which made a line of Confederates resemble that of the enemy, the only difference being the “cut” of the garments—­the Federals wearing a loose blouse instead of a tight-fitting jacket. The uniforms of the Eastern troops made quite a contrast with the tattered and torn homemade jeans of their Western brethren.”- Augustus Dickert, Kershaw’s Brigade.

“Sometimes the government would get a supply …of fine English cloth, and we would get good uniforms, almost to blue. So blue like Yankees did we appear”- A soldier on the 2nd Georgia of Benning’s Brigade.

“…At once place a tree which had fallen across the stream was used by both armies in drawing water for their camps. General Longstreet’s Corps was stationed there at the time, and wore the blue of a little different shade from our uniform. Seeing a soldier in blue on the log, I rode up to him and commenced conversing with him, and asked whose corps he belonged to. He was very polite, touching his hat to me, said he belonged to Longstreet’s Corps. I asked him a few questions, but not with a view of gaining any particular information- all of which he answered , and I rode off”- US Grant at Chattanooga.


Material Culture: Items listed in order of preference. Should be in new or good condition with little wear.

Clothing:
Headgear:
1). Slouch hat, properly blocked with ribbon bound brim. This is to include the English import or “Beard” hat or a Kepi (preferably constructed from blue-grey kersey material)
 

Coat:
1). “Richmond Depot” jacket, with or without belt loops and/or shoulder straps, made of “imported” blue/gray kersey.
2). Above jacket made of jean or cassimere.
3). Single breasted frock coat- Should be seen in extremely limited numbers.
 

Trousers:
1). “Richmond Depot” trousers constructed of royal blue kersey material. There are several surviving trousers in the Museum of the Confederacy constructed from light blue kersey material. The Pender, Goodwin, H(?) Redwood, and Brooke trousers are examples.
2). “Richmond Depot” trousers constructed from blue-grey kersey material.
3). “Richmond Depot” trousers constructed from jean.
**- No Federal trousers please.
 

Shirt:
1). CS cotton issue shirt. Examples- The Hollyday, Beam, Campbell, Selden, the “Louisiana” shirt may be CS issue as well.
2). Civilian shirt of correct materials, pattern and construction.
 

Underdrawers:
1). CS issue or civilian underdrawers of correct materials, pattern and construction.
 

Shoes:
1). CS issue shoes. Imported or domestic.
2). Federal or civilian styles.
 

Socks:
1). CS issue cotton socks or civilian pattern wool socks.

Arms and Accoutrements: Should be in new or very good condition.
Firearm:
1). P1853 Enfield rifle-musket with appropriate bayonet.
2). US M1861 rifle-musket with appropriate bayonet.
 

Cartridge Box:
Cartridge box should be complete and in good condition. Should contain appropriate tins.
1). CS issue, imported or domestic. Examples-CS .58 caliber Cartridge Box with or w/o sling, English pattern boxes.
 

Cap box:
1). CS issue cap boxes, imported or domestic.
 

Bayonet Scabbard:
1). CS issue scabbards, imported or domestic. Examples- CS with lead or sewn final, English pattern.
 

Waist Belt:
1). CS issue, non descript belts. Examples-English “Snake” belt, Single or double roller, “Georgia” frame, “forked tongue”, etc.

Carriage and Shelter
Haversack:
1). CS issue cotton or “tarred”. Examples- Bailey, Alexander bags.
 

Canteen:
1). CS tin drum (should predominate) or Gardner pattern wooden canteens.
 

Knapsack:
1). CS issue, imported or domestic. Examples- CS single bag, or “Mexican War” style- Johnston, Kibbler , etc. Imported enfield style or “Trotter” knapsacks.
2). Blanket roll or “short” roll.
 

Blanket:
1). CS issue or “Imported” blanket. Examples- the “Gettysburg”, the “Mahone” or Brooke blankets.
2). Civilian blanket.
 

Ground Cloth:
1). CS issue ground cloths or shelter halves. If a mess wants to carry a tent fly, that’s fine as well.