Sayler's Creek Impression Guidelines

Uniform

Jacket/Blouse

• Federal Issue 4-button blouse. A good quality fatigue blouse, preferably lined. Blouse may be of arsenal pattern (Schuykill Arsenal) or of documented contractor (J.T. Martin) pattern. Private purchase blouses also acceptable.
• Federal Issue dress coat Good quality fock. Limited use as there is documentation that dress coats were boxed up prior to the Campaign along with Overcoats.

Trowsers

• Federal Issue kersey trowsers. Good quality trowsers of either arsenal (Schuykill Arsenal) or contractor (J.T. Martin, Deering) pattern. Civilian Limited use and of documented civilian pattern. No CS trowsers.

Headwear

• Federal Issue Forage Cap Good quality forage cap of issue or private purchase pattern. Kepis to a limited extent.

• Federal Issue Dress Hat Good quality issue Dress hat. They can show some wear, but battered hats are discouraged. New condition hats are fine (this is a good chance to "break in" that new hat!)

• Civilian pattern hat. Documented civilian pattern quality hat.

Trimmings:

• Corps Badges. The 20th Indiana was originally part of the III Corps (1st Division – Red Diamond) prior to it's consolidation in March of 1864 with the old II Corps. The men of the III Corps were allowed to retain their old badges and were required to also have their new Corps badges also. The 20th was reorganized into the 3rd Division, 1st Brigade of the Consolidated II/III Corps (Blue Trefoil)

• HOWEVER: Once coming into the main battler event at Hillsman House and Sayler's Creek proper, II & III AC badges will have to be removed as VI AC was in this fight. Having a "quick fix" VI AC badge is encouraged and whatever means of attachment for the II/III badges needs to be easily removed.

• Hat trimmings. No infantry bugles, regimental numbers, hat cords, or other devices.

Shirts:

• Issue shirt. Quality issue US domet flannel or contractor variant.

• Civilian pattern shirt. Quality civilian shirt.

Drawers:

• Issue drawers.

• Civilian pattern drawers.

Stockings:

• Issue stockings.

• Civilian stockings. Due to the amount of marching involved, two pairs of good wool socks are encouraged.

Shoes:

• Issue army bootee.

• Civilian pattern boots.

Great coats:

• Issue pattern great coat. This is an optional item as there are records indicating that the overcoats were boxed up and sent to storage prior to the start of the campaign.

• The Army of the Potomac was coming out of it's winter quarters and was resupplied prior to the start of the campaign. The soldiers of the 20th Indiana were veterans (enlisting in July of 1861) and would have their kits pared down to the barest of essentials. There is documentation of soldiers sending excess blankets, overcoats, and uniform items to the rear for storage (or sending them home) prior to the start of the campaign season.

• Uniforms and equipment should be in good to new condition. Holes should be patched in a proper, period manner. This is a good opportunity to "break in" new garments! Hats should also be in good condition, with the winter months providing the opportunity to replace a worn out hat by either drawing a new one or purchasing one from a sutler.

Equipment

Haversack:

US Issue tarred haversack.

Canteen

Smoothside canteen. The smoothside canteen is preferred.

"Bullseye" canteen. Very limited useage., if at all.

Knapsack:

US Issue pattern Knapsack. Quality "double bag" variant 1853/1855 knapsack.

Blanket Roll. Blanket rolls also acceptable. Very appropriate.

Blanket:

US Issue Blankets.

Civilian pattern blanket.

Tents:

US issue Shelter Tents.

Arms:

.58 Cal rifle musket. Springfield pattern 1861, 1863, or 1864 variant or pattern 1853 Enfield.

.69 Cal musket. Highly discouraged!

Accoutrements:

Cartridge box. US issue cartridge box only. Pattern of July 1864 or earlier variants, with or without box plate. Later war patterns preferred. May be worn on the belt or on the sling.

Waistbelt. US issue waist belt with "US" plate.

Cap box. US issue cap box.

Bayonet scabbard. US issue 7-rivet pattern (preferred) or 2-rivet pattern.

Equipment should also be in good condition. Late war issue items are preferred, but quality earlier pattern items are acceptable.

Last updated 6 June 1999 at 2200 hrs.

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