Clean uniforms. I was in Gettysburg, Glory, Gods and Generals, American Outlaw (ashamed to say), and the Alamo with Billy Bob in it. If you clean your uniform your not real. Jean Wool Confederate, after early war. Blanket roll was a quilted blanket and they are hot, soggy when wet, and don't warm you enough. No tents if battle was during the middle of a campaign and learn to wear the right cover. The US military, never gave a different type hat for a different company or different men in a company. That is why it is called a Uniform! Wear the same type hat for the unit or at least one given for the unit. That still gives you 3 to choose from. Pork Pie for Western Confederate enlisted was the favorite while the slouch hat in the east was the enlisted favorite. Learn a song or two from the period. Battle Cry of Freedom, each side, and Kingdom Coming are good for Yank while Good 'ol Rebel is not written until after the war. Goober Peas, with Battle Cry of Freedom (both sides) good for corn feed. Learn the slang so that talking to camp visitors get more flavor. (note one thing the last movie of True Grit got right was there was not one contraction. Lazy language is not in the picture until after Victoria dies.) But Rip Raps, Quick Step, Browning of Lee's Army, Johnnie, Billy, Gray Back, Blue Belly, are all terms you should know and understand.
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