Virginia Infantry impression

[FreshPrince711]

I'm sure this question has been asked and answered hundreds of times over....just can't track down specific answers. I normally do Union, but I'm putting together a CS kit for the "on our own soil" 5-day event next year since I had an ancestor in that battle. My ancestor was in the 31st then the 25th VA infantry and enlisted in '61 at the start of the war. Trying to figure out the best impression I can do that would match someone who was in both of those regiments.

So far I have a black civilian hat, grey RD 2 Jacket, and a pair of Tart Brown Jeancloth Trousers on the way, all used to keep costs down. I plan on using my federal Brogans (comfort) and my 1861/63 FrankenMusket springfield, prob the early war cap pouch too, and scabbard. I also have a cartridge box I have removed the "US" from and can swap the strap with a white cloth one, or leave the black strap on it.

So as you can see I need a few things, and some information.

1: Belt buckle. I don't want to do a black belt with CS....seems too cliche even if it's common. I see TopHat has 4-5 Virginia state buckles but were any reserved for officers/NCO's only? There's the VA Intertwined, Sic Semper Tyrannis, and their variants. I'm also not opposed to a Georgia Frame/buckle belt if it'll fit my scabbard/cap pouch. Also open to other suggestions.

2: Belt colors. Black, or brown? Either issued/common?

3: Canteen. What canteens were common for 31st/25th infantry or available? I see wood, metal, covered, uncovered, white strap, leather strap.....so many choices. What would be good for a Virginia impression?

4: Haversack. I probably could use my federal one but I'd like something different. I see a lot of different styles. What would've been issued from the Richmond Arsenal vs what was actually used?

5: Knapsack/etc. I have a knapsack for federal impressions that originally had a wood frame that I've since removed. Think it would be acceptable, or go with something else? My only limitation is I have contacts that require solution and drops. While I'm not opposed to using glasses....I'd like to try and keep using my contacts if I can.

6: Warmth. Federals had the great coat. What was the CS alternative? I see CS Greatcoats...was anything else available or common?

Thanks for any help. I've been trying to find answers for a week and find one thing, then another that contradicts it, then lack of info....it's so confusing. Thank you!

 

[UnionistMarylander]

The event website has some impression guidelines and articles:

Arms and Equipment of the 19th and 20th Virginia Cavalry for "On Our O

For the purpose of the event, On Our Own Soil – The Fall of '63, this overview will focus exclusively on early reports during the regiment's formation and the individual companies of the 19th and 20th Virginia Cavalry whose involvement in the Bulltown Campaign is supported by documented evidence...

homespunhistoricalventures.org

Research, Resources, and Recommended Reading Material for "On Our Own

Online Resources Click on the below links from the West Virginia Department of Arts, Culture and History Report of Captain William H. Mattingly on the Battle of Bulltown "My Recollection And Experiences Of The Civil War" (Battle of Bulltown) "Our Victory At Bulltown" "Childhood Memories of Old...

homespunhistoricalventures.org

You should also ask on the CS forces Facebook page as well for that event

Facebook

www.facebook.com

Facebook

www.facebook.com

I was thinking of going as a Federal, but I wouldn't be able to make the dates

 

[MWood1841]

After spending the last 10+ years studying the ACW earnestly, battlefield trekking, finding ACW veterans in my family genealogy research, etc, I am now new to the reenacting hobbie. My southern (Virginia) uniform currently is a hodgepodge of different variants of grey and butternut jean cloth items, which I feel better represents the reality of the southern soldier, especially mid to late war years. I have a CS buckle, but too think it is too 'cliche' and likely not authentic. I would stick to the common plain metal/brass belt buckle, especially if your impression is for a regular soldier, private rank.
I have a plain white haversack that I obtained from one of the known big sutlers, but feel like the canvas material is to white and it needs to be dirty'd up some, or even darkened to look more used and authentic.
Good luck and safe campaigning to you

 

[UnionistMarylander]

@FreshPrince711 Whatever happens, I'm telling you you're gonna absolutely love doing events with Homespun Historical Ventures. They're great people and definitely rising to be on par with the Liberty Rifles. Their most recent event of the 1858 Agricultural Expo in Frederick Maryland was an absolute blast!

 

[jepridgen]

I'm sure this question has been asked and answered hundreds of times over....just can't track down specific answers. I normally do Union, but I'm putting together a CS kit for the "on our own soil" 5-day event next year since I had an ancestor in that battle. My ancestor was in the 31st then the 25th VA infantry and enlisted in '61 at the start of the war. Trying to figure out the best impression I can do that would match someone who was in both of those regiments.

So far I have a black civilian hat, grey RD 2 Jacket, and a pair of Tart Brown Jeancloth Trousers on the way, all used to keep costs down. I plan on using my federal Brogans (comfort) and my 1861/63 FrankenMusket springfield, prob the early war cap pouch too, and scabbard. I also have a cartridge box I have removed the "US" from and can swap the strap with a white cloth one, or leave the black strap on it.

So as you can see I need a few things, and some information.

1: Belt buckle. I don't want to do a black belt with CS....seems too cliche even if it's common. I see TopHat has 4-5 Virginia state buckles but were any reserved for officers/NCO's only? There's the VA Intertwined, Sic Semper Tyrannis, and their variants. I'm also not opposed to a Georgia Frame/buckle belt if it'll fit my scabbard/cap pouch. Also open to other suggestions.

2: Belt colors. Black, or brown? Either issued/common?

3: Canteen. What canteens were common for 31st/25th infantry or available? I see wood, metal, covered, uncovered, white strap, leather strap.....so many choices. What would be good for a Virginia impression?

4: Haversack. I probably could use my federal one but I'd like something different. I see a lot of different styles. What would've been issued from the Richmond Arsenal vs what was actually used?

5: Knapsack/etc. I have a knapsack for federal impressions that originally had a wood frame that I've since removed. Think it would be acceptable, or go with something else? My only limitation is I have contacts that require solution and drops. While I'm not opposed to using glasses....I'd like to try and keep using my contacts if I can.

6: Warmth. Federals had the great coat. What was the CS alternative? I see CS Greatcoats...was anything else available or common?

Thanks for any help. I've been trying to find answers for a week and find one thing, then another that contradicts it, then lack of info....it's so confusing. Thank you!

Definitely check the HHV guidelines. They have the details for the most part. Some will obviously get fleshed out as it gets closer. The Rebs in question for this impression likely didn't have overcoats, and those aren't in the guidelines as yet. If I'm able to attend, I'm not bringing one of any kind. They very likely didn't have many knapsacks considering the units were trying to become actual mounted cavalry. Blanket rolls will probably be encouraged, but I'd expect that to be detailed closer to the event as well.

Focus your expenditures on a good white haversack such as the Moses Alexander version or one of the black painted haversacks often produced for eastern armies. There are multiple sources for good ones (Missouri Boot and Shoe, LD Haning, Beauregards Tailor, S&S, etc.). Go with a good old fashioned black leather roller belt that was common with Richmond issued sets. It's good for all over really. LD Hanning makes a good one as well as MB&S along with other similar quality vendors.

Get a simple tin drum canteen. South Union Mills, Wambaugh White & Co, S&S, the Depot…just tons of good choices. I have a cotton strap but leather works as well from above leather makers. Most seem to have been uncovered.

If you absolutely have to take a knapsack, check with the organizers to be sure yours is the right kind for this part/area of the war. It would get a bit pricey to buy a knapsack just for a one time thing.

 

[captaindrew]

Here are the impression guidelines for the recent Liberty Rifles Picket Post event portraying the 17th Va. in 63. It's a good baseline for a mid war ANV impression. https://www.libertyrifles.org/schedule/picket-post For a late war impression just change jackets from a jean RD2 to one made of English clothe.

 

[FreshPrince711]

The event website has some impression guidelines and articles:

Arms and Equipment of the 19th and 20th Virginia Cavalry for "On Our O

For the purpose of the event, On Our Own Soil – The Fall of '63, this overview will focus exclusively on early reports during the regiment's formation and the individual companies of the 19th and 20th Virginia Cavalry whose involvement in the Bulltown Campaign is supported by documented evidence...

homespunhistoricalventures.org

Research, Resources, and Recommended Reading Material for "On Our Own

Online Resources Click on the below links from the West Virginia Department of Arts, Culture and History Report of Captain William H. Mattingly on the Battle of Bulltown "My Recollection And Experiences Of The Civil War" (Battle of Bulltown) "Our Victory At Bulltown" "Childhood Memories of Old...

homespunhistoricalventures.org

You should also ask on the CS forces Facebook page as well for that event

Facebook

www.facebook.com

Facebook

www.facebook.com

I was thinking of going as a Federal, but I wouldn't be able to make the dates

I'm actively trying to do research to present to HHV that 6 companies of 25th VA inf were present. So far there is one document that states there were 6 companies of infantry but I, as of yet, cannot find any link aside from my ancestor. My ancestor was there, documented. However his name does not appear on the roster of the 19th or 20th VA CAV. I figure since he was from that area, he was part of a detachment sent to be close to home but aside from assumptions I can't find details yet. Still looking though.

 

[Rhea Cole]

Metropolitan Museum of Art

This Windslow Homer painting "Prisoners from the Front" is as close to a color photo of Civil War soldiers as you are ever going to see. Homer was a "special correspondent" for Harper's Weekly. The "Bohemian Brigade" were elite illustrators. Homer went on to become a brilliant painter.

The painting commemorates the capture of three Confederate officers by General Francis Barlow at Spotsylvania in 1864.

Link:

Winslow Homer - Prisoners from the Front - American - The Metropolitan Museum of Art

The Met presents over 5,000 years of art from around the world for everyone to experience and enjoy.

www.metmuseum.org

This painting of Union Soldiers in camp if filled with exquisitely observed details… even down to the number of holes in the hardtack. The sense of impatience is intense as the soldiers wait for the water to boil to make their coffee.

 

[Rhea Cole]

LCC

If you are going to the trouble of creating an impression, why not a Texas Ranger? The hats are particularly good.

 

[elmira64]

This Windslow Homer painting "Prisoners from the Front" is as close to a color photo of Civil War soldiers as you are ever going to see. Homer was a "special correspondent" for Harper's Weekly. The "Bohemian Brigade" were elite illustrators. Homer went on to become a brilliant painter. This painting is a portrait of his brother

Which is Homers brother?

 

[Rhea Cole]

Which is Homers brother?

Errata: Thanks for the edit, I looked at a lot of images that morning.

"Prisoners from the Front" commemorates the capture of three Confederate officers by General Francis Barlow at Spotsylvania in 1864.

Link:

Winslow Homer - Prisoners from the Front - American - The Metropolitan Museum of Art

The Met presents over 5,000 years of art from around the world for everyone to experience and enjoy.

www.metmuseum.org

 

[elmira64]

Errata: Thanks for the edit, I looked at a lot of images that morning.

"Prisoners from the Front" commemorates the capture of three Confederate officers by General Francis Barlow at Spotsylvania in 1864.

Link:

Winslow Homer - Prisoners from the Front - American - The Metropolitan Museum of Art

The Met presents over 5,000 years of art from around the world for everyone to experience and enjoy.

www.metmuseum.org

No problem, I thought it was a detail about the painting I did not know.

 

[Rhea Cole]

No problem, I thought it was a detail about the painting I did not know.

Obviously, I didn't either…

 

[JPChurch]

This was my impression while filming as a second unit re-enactor in the "G's and G's" Ted Turner film. Plain and simple. That's an Armisport '42 marked Harpers Ferry. I ordered it when they were first available I think i paid like almost $500 for it. The brogans are brown rough leather out. I used about a pint of neetsfoot oil to soften them up. I had heel plates and the sole studs put in by a cobbler at the Antietam re-enactment, I think that was the year before the movie was filmed. All of that filming was done outside Sharpsburg on a huge thousands of acres private farm. This was for the Chancellorsville sequences.

Make it basic. Roll around in the dirt for a few days. My brown trousers have burn holes in them from riding on a flatcar up in CT during a re-enactment up there. It was a vintage coal steam engine locomotive. My jacket is a 5 button shell, custom made with VA buttons. I was in the N-SSA as a member of the 7th Regt VA Vols., Potomac Region. my belt buckle says so. The canteen is wooden. It holds water just fine and never leaked on me.

I did the N-SSA stint back in the late '80's for almost 3 years. Then re-enacting, then 2nd unit participation both "G'Burg and "G's and G's."

Everyone CW should join the N-SSA. The National tournament event is this weekend at Ft. Shenandoah outside Winchester. You can get everything you want there. Starts tomorrow and lasts til this Sunday

 

[PrivateBrooke]

Please get a Georgia frame or roller buckle. Thought to be the most common buckles in all CS forces and yet it's grossly underrepresented. I wear a Georgia frame. I would suggest black, or alternately painted canvas if you want to do something really different that's underrepresented.
A basic tin drum canteen is a great option for CS troops as well, pair it with a cotton strap. Haversacks you can get any simple cotton one with a button closure. WW and Co has a nice cheap kit if you can sew, SUM also has some good ones available as well as Beauregard's Tailor or S&S.

I'm not sure about the knapsack, I usually use a blanket roll for CS or my Federal knapsack if I really believe I'll need to have one(rare). I would avoid contacts, personally. Your hands are bound to get dirty, plus you're unlikely to have a good place to take them in and out. I gave up wearing contacts to any event that isn't a day trip and opted to get some period glasses.
Honestly there are CS great coats available but captured Federal and various civilian coats would have been very common as well. Although perhaps more common would have been no coat OR a blanket with a hole cut in the center for your head. Then you have one piece of gear with multiple applications!

 

[Trooper "D"]

View attachment 561982
Metropolitan Museum of Art

This Windslow Homer painting "Prisoners from the Front" is as close to a color photo of Civil War soldiers as you are ever going to see. Homer was a "special correspondent" for Harper's Weekly. The "Bohemian Brigade" were elite illustrators. Homer went on to become a brilliant painter.

The painting commemorates the capture of three Confederate officers by General Francis Barlow at Spotsylvania in 1864.

Link:

Winslow Homer - Prisoners from the Front - American - The Metropolitan Museum of Art

The Met presents over 5,000 years of art from around the world for everyone to experience and enjoy.

www.metmuseum.org

View attachment 561983
This painting of Union Soldiers in camp if filled with exquisitely observed details… even down to the number of holes in the hardtack. The sense of impatience is intense as the soldiers wait for the water to boil to make their coffee.

The Confederates in the tall boots has a cross on his sleeve. Didn't sharpshooters wear something like that?

 

[Rhea Cole]

The Confederates in the tall boots has a cross on his sleeve. Didn't sharpshooters wear something like that?

Good eye, never noticed the 't' shape on the sleeve before. The Confederate sharpshooter badge consisted of a sharp pointed red cloverleaf on an octagonal blue shape.

The Maryland Center for History & Culture identifies this as the only original Confederate sharpshooter badge in existence. Read more here.

Link:

Badge – Maryland Center for History and Culture

Sharpshooters badge consists of a red four-pronged emblem atop an octagonal dark blue patch. This uniform emblem was worn by Private Henry Adam Wise (1842-1899), Company B, 2nd Battalion, 2nd Maryland Infantry (CSA). Born at "Green Holly" in St. Mary's County, Wise helped organize the 2nd...

www.mdhistory.org

Additional links to Confederate sharpshooter badges. See more here.

Link:

AUCTION - Confederate Army Sharpshooter Badge

Confederate Army Sharpshooter Badge.

www.pristineauction.com

Link:

https://www.pinterest.com/pin/369787819395012542/

This article lists sharpshooter units in the Army of Northern Virginia. There are a couple of patches that are different from the official design. Read more here.

Link:

History

The 6th Infantry Regiment, organized at Norfolk, Virginia, in May, 1861, recruited its men at Norfolk and in the counties of Princess Anne, Nansemond, and Chesterfield. It served in the Department...

princessannegrays.weebly.com

Note: During the Civil War "sniper" was not an official designation. "Sharpshooter" could refer to a modern sniper, but it generally meant "skirmisher."

There is a curious sidebar to Homer's painting of General Barlow in the Metropolitan Museum notes. Homer's artistic eye placed Barlow's head atop another man's body!

In 1938 one of General Francis Channing Barlow's sons provided the Metropolitan Museum of Art museum with the following account of Homer's painting of the Union officer known as Prisoners From the Front.

"In 1893, my father Francis C. Barlow, a couple of friends, and several other guests of Nelson A. Miles, then commander-in-chief of the U.S. Army, went on a trip out West with General Miles. General Miles and my father had served together during the Civil War, General Miles being directly under my father as both of them were successively promoted. He and my father told many stories about each other. One story which my father told got a very amusing rise out of Miles. During the war Winslow Homer had been at the front and had painted pictures of soldiers there. One of Homer's pictures represented some confederate prisoners being inspected by a Union officer. Miles was a very fine figure of a man, and my father was nothing special in this respect. So Homer got Miles to pose for the officer's figure. Then when the figure was finished, Homer put my father's head on top of Miles's body, apparently merely because my father held a higher rank than Miles. At any rate Miles was seriously annoyed."

Source: American paintings in the Metropolitan Museum of Art. Volumes 1-2, 1965.

 

[Rhea Cole]

Confederate army chaplains wore Latin crosses as the symbol of their position.

The cross was silver on a black collar as black was the branch color for chaplains, or a black Latin cross embroidered on the sleeve.

Homer was meticulous. The minutest detail, such as this cross on the sleeve, in his illustrations & paintings was carefully observed & reproduced. I can easily understand why this jaunty looking cavalryman / chaplain caught Homer's eye.

 

[Dan Kohli]

It looks like it would be fun to attend this event.

 

[Trooper "D"]

Good eye, never noticed the 't' shape on the sleeve before. The Confederate sharpshooter badge consisted of a sharp pointed red cloverleaf on an octagonal blue shape.

View attachment 572100

The Maryland Center for History & Culture identifies this as the only original Confederate sharpshooter badge in existence. Read more here.

Link:

Badge – Maryland Center for History and Culture

Sharpshooters badge consists of a red four-pronged emblem atop an octagonal dark blue patch. This uniform emblem was worn by Private Henry Adam Wise (1842-1899), Company B, 2nd Battalion, 2nd Maryland Infantry (CSA). Born at "Green Holly" in St. Mary's County, Wise helped organize the 2nd...

www.mdhistory.org

Additional links to Confederate sharpshooter badges. See more here.

Link:

AUCTION - Confederate Army Sharpshooter Badge

Confederate Army Sharpshooter Badge.

www.pristineauction.com

Link:

https://www.pinterest.com/pin/369787819395012542/

This article lists sharpshooter units in the Army of Northern Virginia. There are a couple of patches that are different from the official design. Read more here.

Link:

History

The 6th Infantry Regiment, organized at Norfolk, Virginia, in May, 1861, recruited its men at Norfolk and in the counties of Princess Anne, Nansemond, and Chesterfield. It served in the Department...

princessannegrays.weebly.com

Note: During the Civil War "sniper" was not an official designation. "Sharpshooter" could refer to a modern sniper, but it generally meant "skirmisher."

There is a curious sidebar to Homer's painting of General Barlow in the Metropolitan Museum notes. Homer's artistic eye placed Barlow's head atop another man's body!

In 1938 one of General Francis Channing Barlow's sons provided the Metropolitan Museum of Art museum with the following account of Homer's painting of the Union officer known as Prisoners From the Front.

"In 1893, my father Francis C. Barlow, a couple of friends, and several other guests of Nelson A. Miles, then commander-in-chief of the U.S. Army, went on a trip out West with General Miles. General Miles and my father had served together during the Civil War, General Miles being directly under my father as both of them were successively promoted. He and my father told many stories about each other. One story which my father told got a very amusing rise out of Miles. During the war Winslow Homer had been at the front and had painted pictures of soldiers there. One of Homer's pictures represented some confederate prisoners being inspected by a Union officer. Miles was a very fine figure of a man, and my father was nothing special in this respect. So Homer got Miles to pose for the officer's figure. Then when the figure was finished, Homer put my father's head on top of Miles's body, apparently merely because my father held a higher rank than Miles. At any rate Miles was seriously annoyed."

Source: American paintings in the Metropolitan Museum of Art. Volumes 1-2, 1965.

I must acquire one for when I drag out my Whitworth.