This is a simplified list of equipment. For exact specifications and recommended places to purchase it please contact us. For some of this, you can purchase it from sutlers at an event with one of us accompanying you, this saves on errors and shipping costs, however because some things will be of better quality it is better to order them from a recom-mended supplier. Talk to us about it. This does not include everything you will need, like food and cornstarch. Be sure and ask us about the cornstarch!

BASIC UNIFORM

Dark-blue wool sack coat
sky-blue wool trousers
period suspenders
period wool socks
brogans (or period boots or shoes)
period cotton shirt
kepi, bummer or slouch hat
period handkerchief

ADDITIONAL UNIFORM

sky-blue great coat
dark-blue vest
dark-blue frock coat with light blue piping
period cotton drawers

BASIC EQUIPMENT

3 banded musket - Springfield (1861 model) or Enfield (1853) model with leather sling
waist belt, black leather with oval "US" buckle
black tarred haversack
dark blue or light blue covered canteen
bayonet and scabbard
cap pouch
cartridge box, black leather with tins, sling, oval "US" plate and round brass eagle
tin cup

ADDITIONAL EQUIPMENT

poncho or ground cloth or both
wool blanket
shelter half
"house wife" (sewing kit)
small candle and candle holder
hard or soft knapsack
tin frying pan
period spoon, fork and knife
period glasses (if eyewear is needed)
period paper and pencil
period toothbrush

We recommend you keep it simple. Keep in mind that soldiers had to carry this stuff 20 to 25 miles a day. They quickly threw away anything that was unnecessary. Although many of them left home with sheath knives such as bowies they discarded them in favor of a small knife they kept in their haversack or a pocket knife. Early pictures frequently show soldiers holding up a personal hand gun, these were also quickly deemed too heavy and unnecessary in the field. Most of the trinkets they sell at re-enactments aren't necessary and I've found that I usually end up leaving them at home after 1 or 2 events.

Be sure to ask your pards about cleaning and maintaining your equipment, it is a serious investment and should be taken care of. Also consider the fact that their lives depended on it and that pride in who and what they were was a factor. We don't expect you to be spit and polish, we aren't! in fact we take pride in our dirty dusty hard marching and fighting appearance, but your musket and accessories should be in good working order.