Once you do decide to purchase your gear one of our members would be glad to help you select your outfit.
HEADGEAR (required): The Hardee hat. When new, this hat will be stiff and uncompromising. Since we are portraying field troops in the mid-war, we recommend “weathering” your hat. Several good kicks and punches, followed by kneading of the material usually helps. You can go farther, by soaking the entire hat in water to soften the sizing. Then it can be shaped into a more casual, comfortable attitude. When it dries it will be friendlier. The hats were originally issued to the men with a sizable pile of decorations; early in the war, men pinned up one side with a brass eagle pin. Pinned on the front of the hat were any combination of the following: brass bugle with unit numbers in the center (indicating 19th Indiana), black feather, and blue hat cord (indicating Infantry). By May of 1863 the men of the Iron Brigade also wore a corps badge, usually in front of the hat. This was a small circle of red felt, indicating that they belonged to the Army of the Potomac.
COAT (required): Though the 19th Indiana was issued frock coats along with their black hats in May of 1862, our research indicates that by June of 1863 the majority of the men had adopted the more comfortable sack coat. You may get which ever coat strikes your fancy, --frock or sack--, although the sack coat is more comfortable and less expensive.
SHIRT (required): Four-button pullover shirt in muslin, flannel, or cotton. We strongly recommend the civilian shirts, which come in various colors and prints. By mid-war, most soldiers would have worn such shirts. Our sutlers have a wide variety.
TROUSERS (required); Sky blue, kersey wool.
WAISTBELT (required): Black leather with US buckle and keeper.
SUSPENDERS (required): Suspenders are required, because without them your trousers will fall down! Period linen suspenders are available. However, they can be uncomfortable. In addition, since they do not stretch, they tend over a period of time to pull the buttons out of your trousers. you may want to purchase a pair of farb (modern elastic) suspenders, which are not usually seen by the public any way. if you do, be sure to buy suspenders with leather button hooks, not the ones with snaps. Try to buy a plain color like white or brown that look reasonably authentic if you have to remove your coat on a hot day.
HAVERSACK (optional):Black tarred, federal issue. Tin cup should accompany the haversack; cups were usually hung from the haversack while on the march. Cups range in price from on dollar to twenty dollars. We recommend buying the sturdier varieties, as the cheaper models won’t last long. One option is the “coffee boiler”, which includes a hanging lid. This can be used to cook soup, stew, or coffee as well as for drinking purposes. What you put inside your haversack is up to you. An authentic impression would include a housewife plus mess gear (tin plate and eating utensils) perhaps some cards and writing materials, but these items are optional.
SOCKS (optional): Our sutlers sell “period” socks. However, you can spend less money if you simply buy any plain white or gray wool socks. For extra comfort, you may wish to wear two pairs of socks. Perhaps a plain white cotton pair beneath the wool.
SHOES (required): Brogans, black. Can be purchased with stitch soles or with pegged soles. Either version is considered authentic.
WEAPON (required): Although research indicates the unit was issued Springfield muskets, any long arm of the period will suffice. It is strongly encouraged to use a three band rifle musket. Euro-Arms Enfield three banders are the most inexpensive and are probably the most commonly used by re-enactors. The Springfield cost considerably more and require a lot more care, since they are not blued.
Two band rifles (two band Enfields, Mississippi, Zouaves) are generally discouraged, but are perfectly acceptable if you already own one. We do not expect members to shell out the bucks for another weapon if they already own an infantry weapon of the period.
BAYONET AND SCABBARD (optional): Try to find a bayonet which fits easily onto your weapon. These reproduction bayonets are made in India and not quality controlled. You should take your weapon with you when buying a bayonet as you need to size the bayonet to your weapon. Recommended for parades and stacking arms.
CAP AND CARTRIDGE BOXES (required): Black leather, cartridge box must have sling. Brass breast plate should accompany the sling and brass box plate should accompany the cartridge box. We’ll show you how to fasten and arrange everything.
OVERCOAT (optional): Sky blue, federal issue. These overcoats are nice on cold nights, but are expensive. So we have made them optional.
LEGGINGS (optional); The 19th Indiana was originally issued white leggings. Since they were hot and uncomfortable, it is likely that few men were still wearing them by June of 1863.
RUBBER BLANKET, or PONCHO (optional): This handy item served many purposes for the soldier. It provided a waterproof poncho during rain, it provided a moisture-proof ground cover at night; it added additional warmth during cold weather; and the white fabric side was often used as game board. We do not require the purchase of a rubber blanket, but we highly recommend it.
WOOL BLANKET (optional); Preferred blanket is gray with black “US” stitched on it. Again, though this item is optional, we highly recommend it. Even if you sleep in a sleeping bag, the wool blanket provides extra warmth; in fact, it is an alternative to an overcoat. In addition, it adds to the authentic camp impression when placed inside the tent.
CANTEEN (required):
Can be either federal issue canteen in any of the issued colors. You will need the canteen to water down during battle especially on hot days in order to avoid dehydration.
“DOG”, “PUP”, or SHELTER TENT (optional): Soldiers on the march often did not bother with tents, but they were living and marching in the humid summers of Virginia. Here in Oregon a little shelter is nice on our cold nights. In addition, tents add to our camp impression. Original soldiers would carry half a tent each and button the halves together with a partner when night came. you can buy one shelter half and go in with someone else who is doing the same, or you can always buy a half and set it up like a lean-to. You can buy the entire tent for yourself. The tent is optional.
This is a list of the basic equipment, required and optional, with which you will build your historic image. Our sutlers have myriad other odds and ends to add detail and authenticity to your impression, depending on how far you want to go. We in the 19th Indiana are available anytime to answer questions or help in choosing items.
