"Receding Tide" 2nd Delaware Uniform Guidelines

All gear is listed in order of preference. These men had been on campaign since the middle of June, during which time they traveled several hundred miles and fought a major battle. Uniforms and equipment in worn or poor condition are highly encouraged if available.  

 All gear is to be made of correct period materials and construction.

Sgt Charles Hammer, K Company, 2nd Delaware



Uniform: 

Corps Badge: A red trefoil SHALL be worn on the hat or blouse to indicate service in the 1st Division, 2nd Corps, Army of the Potomac

 Coat:

  • Preferred - M1858 Sack Coat, M1858 Frock Coat – Photographic evidence shows continued use of the frock coat to some degree during this period, however the sack coat was the most common coat
  • Reluctantly Accepted, but discouraged - Shell Jacket, Private      Purchase Blouse

Trousers:

  • Preferred - M1861 Sky Blue Trousers of either Schuylkill Arsenal or contract manufacture
  • Not Accepted - Dark Blue Trousers, Civilian Trousers.

Hat: Company letters are encouraged. Other hat brass should be limited

Preferred - M1858 Type I Forage Cap, M1858 Type II Forage Cap, Dark Civilian Hat- photos show that dark civilian hats were in usage with these troops.

  •  Acceptable- Private Purchase Kepi
  •  Reluctantly Accepted, but discouraged - M1858 Hardee Hat – This     should be the last resort for headgear

Over Coat:

  • Preferred – None – Overcoats were put into storage prior to the Chancellorsville Campaign and troops did not have access to them during the campaign.

Shirt:

  • Preferred - Issue Shirt of either domet flannel or wool
  • Accepted – Civilian Shirt 

Under drawers: No modern underwear is acceptable

  • Preferred – Issue canton flannel
  • Acceptable - Civilian

Socks:

  • Preferred - Woolen Socks, issue or civilian make

Footwear:

  • Preferred - M1851 Jefferson Bootees (Brogans).
  • Accepted - Issue boots, Civilian Boots

 

Equipment:

Rifle (with appropriate bayonet):

  • Preferred - M1855/1861 Springfield Rifle Musket
  • Accepted - P1853 Enfield Rifle Musket
  • Reluctantly Accepted, but Discouraged– M1842 Springfield Musket/Rifled Musket
  • Not Accepted - M1863 Springfield Rifle Musket, any rifle-length weapon.

Bayonet Scabbard:

  • Preferred - 2 Rivet bayonet scabbard
  • Reluctantly Accepted - 7 Rivet bayonet scabbard

 Cartridge Box:

  • Preferred - M1857/61 Cartridge Box with sling, box and eagle plates

 Cap Box:

  • Preferred - M1862 Cap Box
  • Accepted - M1855 "Shield Front" Cap Box

 Waist Belt:

  • Preferred - M1856 Waist Belt with puppy paw buckle and leather keeper or keeper cut off

 Haversack:

  • Preferred - Black tarred issue haversack

 Canteen:

  • Preferred - M1862 "Bullseye" Canteen
  • Accepted - M1858 "Smoothside" Canteen

 Knapsack:

  • Preferred - M1855 Federal Double Bag Knapsack, blanket roll

 Blanket:

  • Preferred – Grey or Brown Issue blanket with “US” chain stitched.

 Ground Cloth:

  • Preferred - Gum blanket
  • Accepted - Painted ground cloth

 

NO modern glasses, containers, or items will be accepted. All modern medicines shall be concealed within period containers. No cell phones or modern tobacco

 Appropriate period grooming standards are required. No visible modern tattoos, ponytails, or other obviously modern hairstyles are acceptable. No modern clothing.

Rations will be issued at the event.