Sayler's Creek
Federal 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 frock. Limited use as there is documentation that dress coats were boxed up prior to the Campaign along with Overcoats.

Trousers

• Federal Issue kersey trousers. 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 trousers.

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 Third Corps (1st Division – Red Diamond) prior to it's consolidation in March of 1864 with the old Second Corps. The men of the Third Corps were allowed to retain their old badges, but were required to wear their new Corps badges also. The 20th was reorganized into the 3rd Division, 1st Brigade of the Consolidated Second/Third Corps (Blue Trefoil)

• HOWEVER: Once coming into the main battle event at Hillsman House and Sayler's Creek proper, the Second/Third Corps badge will have to be removed as the Sixth Corps was the only corps involved in the Hillsman House battle of Sayler's Creek. Having a "quick fix" Sixth Corps badge is encouraged and whatever means of attachment for the Second/Third Corps badge 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 records indicate the overcoats were boxed up and sent to storage before 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) before the commencement 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.

Return to the Federal Campaign Page for the Sayler's Creek Reenactment

Last updated 24 January 2000 at 1830 hrs.

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