Accurate Wise’s Brigade Impression

[Johnny_Reb_1865]

Hello all,

So I'm looking to actually (my old gear is mainstream!) put together a truly authentic impression of a Confederate soldier of General Henry Wise's Brigade and I was wondering what they had over the course of the war. Specifically that of my ancestor.

My impression in particular is of June 1864.
I do know that they were issued Richmond Depot (Richmond Clothing Depot) type one's (June 1862) and type two jackets and trousers. And then in South Carolina, Georgia, and Florida they must have had the Charleston Depot jacket. (June 1863)

My questions are:

Were they issued Richmond Arsenal cartridge boxes, and if so were the straps on the back of Richmond Arsenal cartridge boxes rounded or squared?

My ancestor in his records has two clothing receipts. In this context what exactly does "clothing" mean? Is it a blanket term for his whole uniform or does it mean individual clothing such as his jacket and trousers?


What other equipment were they issued?

Could anyone kindly provide a list of what he may have been issued over the course of the war?


Many thanks in advance.

 

[RedRover]

Conrad Wise Chapman provided several images of soldiers of Wise's brigade.

A sketch of the Richmond Light Infantry Blues, of the 46th Virginia in camp...

 

[Johnny_Reb_1865]

Conrad Wise Chapman provided several images of soldiers of Wise's brigade.

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A sketch of the Richmond Light Infantry Blues, of the 46th Virginia in camp...

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What about equipment? Since I'm redoing my impression I would like to get it right. Especially my leathers.

 

[captaindrew]

What about equipment? Since I'm redoing my impression I would like to get it right. Especially my leathers.

Here's the set I use for ANV impressions, made by Missouri Boot and Shoe. .69 caliber cartridge box copied from a ANV example, notice the lack of belt loops. There are examples of originals that the soldiers would cut slats in the back of boxes so they could put them on their belt. All sewn, no rivets, and lead finial. Shield front cap box, typical of CS production, single belt loop, lead finial. Bayonet scabbard, all sewn with no rivets, tin tip. Note that many ANV scabbards had a lead ball for a tip. Waistbelt with iron roller buckle. These were known to be produced by Richmond in both leather and painted canvas.

 

[captaindrew]

For a jacket if you're specifically going for Spring 64 I'd get a Richmond Depot type 2 in imported English clothe. That would be the predominant issue by that time.

 

[RedRover]

What about equipment? Since I'm redoing my impression I would like to get it right. Especially my leathers.

Chapman shows typical black leather accoutrements, including the cartridge box generally worn with the shoulder belt.

Also gun slings...

In this sketch version of his painting, Chapman shows some details of their tin canteens at Diascund Bridge in 1863:

D.C. Colbert of the 46th Virginia, with his tin canteen...with a fabric sling. Plain roller buckle waist belt of a common Confederate type.

The Virginia Regimental history series by H.E. Howard would have additional collections of images of veterans of each regiment of the brigade, the 26th, 34th, 46th, and 59th Regiments. Most available through inter-library loan. Might show additional images of belts, etc.

Here's a photograph of Conrad Chapman in an army jacket near the close of the war. He was furloughed from Wise's brigade in 1864 and went to Europe.

 

[Johnny_Reb_1865]

Here's the set I use for ANV impressions, made by Missouri Boot and Shoe. .69 caliber cartridge box copied from a ANV example, notice the lack of belt loops. There are examples of originals that the soldiers would cut slats in the back of boxes so they could put them on their belt. All sewn, no rivets, and lead finial. Shield front cap box, typical of CS production, single belt loop, lead finial. Bayonet scabbard, all sewn with no rivets, tin tip. Note that many ANV scabbards had a lead ball for a tip. Waistbelt with iron roller buckle. These were known to be produced by Richmond in both leather and painted canvas.

View attachment 541255

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Where were their bayonet scabbards and cap boxes issued out from? My cap box is stamped "Ayers & Co."

 

[Johnny_Reb_1865]

Chapman shows typical black leather accoutrements, including the cartridge box generally worn with the shoulder belt.
View attachment 541259

Also gun slings...

View attachment 541264View attachment 541265

In this sketch version of his painting, Chapman shows some details of their tin canteens at Diascund Bridge in 1863:

View attachment 541257View attachment 541258

D.C. Colbert of the 46th Virginia, with his tin canteen...with a fabric sling. Plain roller buckle waist belt of a common Confederate type.
View attachment 541260


The Virginia Regimental history series by H.E. Howard would have additional collections of images of veterans of each regiment of the brigade, the 26th, 34th, 46th, and 59th Regiments. Most available through inter-library loan. Might show additional images of belts, etc.

View attachment 541262View attachment 541263


Here's a photograph of Conrad Chapman in an army jacket near the close of the war. He was furloughed from Wise's brigade in 1864 and went to Europe.

View attachment 541266

Thanks! That canteen strap doesn't look like it's military issue. Would it matter what type of strap I have on my canteen or no?

Also the bayonet scabbard in Chapman's painting is somewhat difficult to make out. So my question is would the bayonet scabbard be like this one?

I plan on getting my leathers from L. D. Haning.

 

[RedRover]

Thanks! That canteen strap doesn't look like it's military issue. Would it matter what type of strap I have on my canteen or no?

Also the bayonet scabbard in Chapman's painting is somewhat difficult to make out. So my question is would the bayonet scabbard be like this one?



I plan on getting my leathers from L. D. Haning.

Canteen straps, especially for Confederate canteens, varied widely. Many surviving examples with fabric slings.

This chap's is borne by a cord...

Sometimes with leather...

There was no standardization of Confederate military equipment. Procurement etc. was based upon availability from contractors. If it was a canteen, tin, wood, whatever, with a sling of leather, cotton, etc., then the quartermaster's department accepted it. This page has many original examples...

confederate canteens

The US Army did the same. At the commencement of the war with its standard "oblait spheroid" canteens. Standard canteen slings were leather, with an adjustment buckle. changed to cotton during the war.

But many provided by contractors with a plain cotton sling in 1861. And by late 1862 even the Army was making up plain cotton slings.

 

[captaindrew]

Where were their bayonet scabbards and cap boxes issued out from? My cap box is stamped "Ayers & Co."

That I don't know, no makers mark on those although I now everything was copied off originals. I see you're shopping at LD Hanning, certainly a good choice. Bought all my Federal gear from him and certainly top notch. I have 2 sets of CS gear I got from Missouri Boot and Shoe. The set I use for ANV events and I have a set of Atlanta arsenal for Western Theater events.

 

[Manassas 1861]

Thanks! That canteen strap doesn't look like it's military issue. Would it matter what type of strap I have on my canteen or no?

Also the bayonet scabbard in Chapman's painting is somewhat difficult to make out. So my question is would the bayonet scabbard be like this one?

View attachment 541536

I plan on getting my leathers from L. D. Haning.

Many Rebs used captured federal equipment. In US army began making 7 rivet scabbard, replacing the previous 2. If your doing a late war impression, consider using US accoutrements, with either the 2 or 7 rivet scabbards.