While I can appreciate the desire to just find something blue or gray to get you started, I have to disagree with the idea of buying the cheapest thing you can because it is cheap. Yes, you can afford the most "stuff" for the least outlay, but what have you bought? If your goal is to portray a soldier from the years 1860-1865, why would you purchase a "uniform" bearing NO resemblence to anything worn by those men? If the only common denominator is the color, well...I have to wonder what you really spent your hard earned money on?
Now, I understand that I may see things differently because I am probably a border-line stitch counter myself, but bear with me here...
As someone else said, what you are looking to have is a Civil War uniform. These are hand crafted, from natural materials, by craftsmen who take the time to know what they are making- just as our forefather (or mothers as the case may be) did. Are these pieces more costly than a "Confederate wool jacket" for sale seemingly for pennies on the dollar? Absolutely! But, what you have at the end of the day is a true representation of a Civil War uniform. If you want something that represents a period item, you need to have something that represents a period item, not a caricature.
Most of your sutler out there are trying to pass off modern materials as 19th Century goods. The problem is that things are different today. Modern wool, even when it says 100% wool, is not. There are all sorts of things added to it. Next time you go to a museum, look at an original Federal-issue fatigue blouse. Hold up a sutler's "Federal Jacket" next to it. The difference is easy to see! Its these sorts of things that make your impression!
Will they cost a bit more. You bet! There's no way around it. But, you will see, feel, and respect the difference if you do it right. And, when it comes down to it, the price will not be all that bad compared to buying junk that will have to be replaced in a year or two.
Now, as to what you should be looking for...
I would say there are quite a few shortcuts you can take to save a buck here or there while you get started.
Probably the best thing you can do is make sure everything you have is a multi-tasker.
If you'd like to portray a Confederate, try purchasing a civilian sack coat in jean cloth, sattinette, or broadcloth, rather than a Richmond Depot, Columbus Depot, etc. shell jacket. This would be an appropriate choice whether the event you're attending was an early-War militia muster or an 1865 battle. These remained popular with soldiers from first to last because they were comfortable, easily attained, and familiar.
As for pants, you could go for a pair of Federal infantry trousers. While you couldn't use them for some of the events representing the first shots in the conflict, from that point on, there would have always been Cornfeds sporting captured trousers. And, should you ever choose to represent the other side, you're half way there.
Another good option here would be civilian trousers in broadcloth. As the saying goes, quality never goes out of style, and that was as true then as it is today. Many a soldier would have had a pair sent from home, or would "purchase" or "liberate" them along the way. Often, these would be of much better cut and quality than what the quartermaster was issuing.
Brogans are something you should invest a good couple of dollars in. Nothing will ruin your weekend faster than blood running through your shoes. Decent reproductions are not too costly either. Stay away from the ever-popular knee-high "cavalry" boots and the like. Most soldiers despised them, and after the first time they tried pulling one on, after the morning dew had worked on them, would have not had a second thought about tossing them in a ditch.
I've not bought a musket in years, so I'll defer to others here.
When looking for traps, always look for "Federal-issue" goods. The Union storehouses were one of the best sources the Confederacy had for cartridge boxes, cap pouches, gum blankets, blankets, knapsacks (yes, quite a few Rebs wore knapsacks!), and haversacks. What was being made in places like Richmond, while abundant, was never of the best quality, so soldiers would "trade-up" when opportunity presented itself.
Don't by a tent. Outside of permanent encampments and camps of instruction, they would have rarely been seen. If anything, get a Federal shelter-tent half. These period versions of the more modern pup tent were easily obtained by anyone that wanted them. They could be buttoned together with another half carried by one of your comrades if you wanted. Or, more importantly, they add an extra layer to cover you when the chill of morning hits. They are VERY cheap and useful! If you go to an even where everyone has A-tents, and you really want to sleep in one, try to bring a couple of extra plugs of tobacco or a sack of sweet potatos and see how quickly people will welcome you inside!
I hope the above didn't confuse you more than when I started. I am sure some of it may be a bit strange if you have not been around the terminology for long. So, I would also add to this, the best advice anyone can have before writing the first check is: RESEARCH! RESEARCH! RESEARCH! Do not take someone else's advice blindly and hand a sutler a couple of hundred dollars for something that you will never use again after your first event. Look in to the unit you will portray. Where were they serving? What supply depots were supplying their gear? Answering those questions sould be step one in the long process...
There is a wonderful article on Confederate uniforms that you may find interesting. I realize it may not qualify as a page turner, but it's enlightening nonetheless.
http://www.military-historians.org/c...federate-1.htm
This will give you a nice overview of what Confederate soldiers would have been wearing.
Finally, I would just caution you to take your time as you get started. Do not be tempted to buy the first "Confederate" or "Federal" uniform you see. You'll be sorry later, and simply end up spending more effort and money correcting your mistakes than if you had taken the time to do it right from the get-go.
If you'd like, I would be happy to post links to some of the better people out there selling equipment. I've bookmarked a few dozen of them so it would be no problem. Also, let me know if you need me to clarify any of the above. I can tell you that I would have been scratching my head if I had read this when I first got involved in this stuff about 12 years ago.
Cheers and Fairwinds,
Brett Silver
PS I almost forgot the best advice I can give...if you want to save money on Civil War gear, the best thing you can do...bar none...is LEARN TO SEW! You'll save hundreds, even thousands of dollars by purchasing kits from some of the sutlers and putting things together on your own.
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