19th and 20th Virginia Cavalry Authenticity Guidelines

The below guidelines are based on the information that is currently available on the HHV website. If new information becomes available, the guidelines will be updated. Any new information should be forwarded directly to the HHV team. Additionally, these are the basic impression standards. Please check with your company commander because they have returns that more accurately present what the company was issued. Some companies were more recently supplied by the CS depots than others. 

While this impression compares similarly with an Army of Northern Virginia infantry impression, there are some additional things to be taken into consideration. Many of Jackson’s companies were guerrillas who regularly went home to visit and supply themselves. This allows room for some civilian items such as commutation uniforms. The goal is still to look like soldiers. Failure to look like a soldier had dire consequences. Issued uniforms would have been pulled from Richmond Depot through Stanton Depot. However, we cannot rule out Wytheville Depot supplying Jackson’s command as well. This opens up the discussion for “other jackets” that were supplied. Due to limited research on these jackets, we will be consolidating them under the term Virginia jackets since they appear to have been specific to Virginia depots. 

With this impression being a cavalry impression, pistols and sabers need to be addressed. We will allow enlisted men to carry a pistol but keep them to limited numbers. Your pistol should be in a proper holster on your belt. However, only one pistol per man and no spare cylinders will be allowed. Additionally, sabers were issued to Jackson in limited numbers. Based on the issued numbers, sergeants will be allowed to carry a cavalry style saber. No enlisted will be allowed to carry a sword. 

As a multi-day event, it should not surprise anyone that we will end up getting some rain and chilly air. It is important that everyone prepares accordingly. Since we are not full time soldiers, we are recommending some additional items. These items include, additional socks, a spare wool shirt, and a federal shelter half. While it is possible that they had shelter halves, we do not have evidence supporting it. However, health and safety is important to HHV, and we will allow them for the betterment of you the participant.

We will release a general packing list of items you will want to consider or need in the coming weeks. 

Headwear:

Preferred: Confederate issued kepis and slouch hat and Civilian slouch

Accepted: British Import hats

Jacket:

Preferred: RD 2 in Jean,  Civilian sack, Commutation/ “Virginia” Jacket 

Accepted: RD 2 in EAC and CS sack

Shirt:

Preferred: CS Issued and Civilian cotton or wool

Accepted: US Issued

Trousers:

Preferred: CS issue and Civilian in jean or wool

Socks: (3 pairs recommended)

Preferred: Wool Socks 

Accepted: Cotton Socks

Shoes: 

Preferred: Confederate or British brogans, Civilian shoes

Accepted: US Brogans and any boots 

Knapsack:

Preferred: CS issue, British Import, Blanket roll

Accepted: Militia and US Issue (limited numbers)

Blanket: 

Preferred: CS Issue, Civilian

Accepted: British Import or US Issue, coverlets, and carpet

Belts:

Preferred: Frame, Wreath and spoon, Virginia Frame, Roller, CS Buckles, Georgia Frame

Accepted: US Cav Buckle

Cartridge Box/ Cap Pouch: 

Preferred: cs issue

Accepted: us issue limited numbers

Weapons:

Rifles:

Preferred: Mississippi Rifles, Austrian Rifles, Enfield Muskets, Richmond Muskets, Colt Revolving Rifles, M1842 Springfield

Accepted: US Springfields, Enfield rifles, Sharps Carbines

Pistols:
Preferred: .44 and .36 with proper holster

Accepted: Horse pistol, Colt Pocket Pistol with proper holster

Canteen:

Preferred: CS Issue

Accepted:  US Issue

Shelter:

Preferred: CS ground cloths, US ground clothes and ponchos, US Shelter half