Confederate Reenacting Starter Kit

[WW2280]

I am wanting to get into re enactments. I have purchased a Pendersoli 1853 enfield and it is in the "defarb" process now. What else do I need? I need the basic starter kit. From musket slings, cartridge boxes, cap pouches, etc to.... I am putting together my "uniform" for a soldier of the western theatre, and I have a pretty good idea as far as uniform, dress goes. All information and advice is welcome!

 

[Michael C. Hardy]

Join a reenacting group first, before you buy anything. The better (authentic) groups have very specific clothing and equipment list. If you buy stuff before joining a group, the new group may not allow the items you purchased.

 

[WW2280]

Join a reenacting group first, before you buy anything. The better (authentic) groups have very specific clothing and equipment list. If you buy stuff before joining a group, the new group may not allow the items you purchased.

Ok, where is the best place to find reenacting groups?

 

[HatEnjoyer]

Ok, where is the best place to find reenacting groups?

Use the internet! "Civil War reenacting groups in (insert state)" could probably bring up some good results. Look for Facebook pages too.

 

[Michael C. Hardy]

Ok, where is the best place to find reenacting groups?

Where do you live?

 

[Michael C. Hardy]

Ok, where is the best place to find reenacting groups?

Join this group, then look at the forums. https://www.authentic-campaigner.com/

 

[WW2280]

Where do you live?

I am in Central Mississippi

 

[captaindrew]

If budget allows buy good quality stuff right off, you'll be much better off in the long run. For a generic Western Theater impression a Columbus Depot jacket is a good choice but as stated already it might be wise to find a group you like first and see what their impression is.

 

[7thWisconsin]

Actually, at this point, the internet is a terrible place to try to find reenacting units, especially Confederate ones. No one wants to deal with the trolls that an accessible website brings. FB is hardly better as most groups are closed groups so you need an in to get approved for membership. Honestly, advertising for a unit here, a moderated forum, is one of your best options. The other is to go to a reenactment as a spectator and start networking in person. Your musket will be welcome in almost any unit, and is a major purchase, so I think that was a good place to start since you have the $$. Assuming from the get-go that you´re going to rule out obviously unsafe and inauthentic (farb) units, There are some other questions you´ll want to think about before you join a unit: a) How far do you want to travel away from home? 2hours? 4? etc... b) what style of reeacting would you like or will your health tolerate? Campaign style - pack it in on your back, sleep in a shelter tent and eat out of your haversack? or more mainstream - A tent and cot if you like, eat on the local economy if you wish? Confederate uniforms and equipment vary wildly from state to state and group to group. More progressive, history-heavy units will have specific patterns for sewing and specific vendors who cater to their style and units. Leaning more mainstream, you may find groups that will (for instance) accept the uniform ¨package¨ from a well-known vendor as perfectly suitable for their activities. c) how open are you to galvanizing? (The practice of portraying either side as the unit feels is appropriate.)
It´s kinda near the end of the season at the moment, so your chances of getting out to an event may be limited. I´m nowhere near Mississippi, so I can´t help you a bit. There are good Confederate reenactors in this forum, who will be able to hel you network more than I can, but these are questions to think through before you select a unit. (There´s nothing so miserable as a mis-match between individual and unit expectations.

 

[HatEnjoyer]

Actually, at this point, the internet is a terrible place to try to find reenacting units, especially Confederate ones. No one wants to deal with the trolls that an accessible website brings. FB is hardly better as most groups are closed groups so you need an in to get approved for membership. Honestly, advertising for a unit here, a moderated forum, is one of your best options. The other is to go to a reenactment as a spectator and start networking in person.

I've actually had some good luck with Confederate units on Facebook. None of them were in my state, and they were all private, but I just sent applications expressing my interest in learning more about their uniforms and equipment, and they let me in. Of course, not everyone is that nice, many units are not active, etc, but I wouldn't rule the internet out entirely. Going to a reenactment is definitely the best way to find a unit though.

 

[PrivateBrooke]

I found my unit on here and then went to an event to meet them. It worked out. That's my advice to you, poke around here.

 

[WW2280]

I am seeing and getting some messages about reenacting and it has gotten me thinking. These reenacting groups seem to have very strict standards on their uniforms. This is of course fine, and I am not complaining or trying to start any kind of argument of any kind. But in battles post 1863, the Confederate Army did not look like the reenactments. The uniforms were worn, they were missing shoes. They were beginning to be, for the majority a ragged looking bunch. Im a good ole rebel, but it leaves me to question how "authentic" are these strict uniform codes. Just a thought.

 

[Chattahooch33]

I am seeing and getting some messages about reenacting and it has gotten me thinking. These reenacting groups seem to have very strict standards on their uniforms. This is of course fine, and I am not complaining or trying to start any kind of argument of any kind. But in battles post 1863, the Confederate Army did not look like the reenactments. The uniforms were worn, they were missing shoes. They were beginning to be, for the majority a ragged looking bunch. Im a good ole rebel, but it leaves me to question how "authentic" are these strict uniform codes. Just a thought.

While there was individuality, there was more uniformity. The issue with reenactors alot of the time is they see a pic of someone doing something out of the ordinary, then they copy it. This goes for authentic reenactors as well. The end result is a group of people with out of the ordinary impressions. It is always best to not standout or be an exception.
I agree with @Michael C. Hardy, go to https://www.authentic-campaigner.com/ and look around. The only forseeable problem is that reenactors are a particular bunch who are very picky at their impressions. You have to be straight forward and say "send me a link of where I can buy a jacket\pair of trousers\etc. that I could get the most use out of.

With that being said, if you plan to attend events in the western theater, I recommend for CS Accoutrements:

C. S. Atlanta Arsenal Set

The most historically accurate reproduction Civil War era footwear and equipment on the market for over 35 years. All custom made items are the result of extensive research and historical documentation, faithfully recreating the original specimens.

www.missouribootandshoe.com

 

[peacefulanimalguy7]

I am seeing and getting some messages about reenacting and it has gotten me thinking. These reenacting groups seem to have very strict standards on their uniforms. This is of course fine, and I am not complaining or trying to start any kind of argument of any kind. But in battles post 1863, the Confederate Army did not look like the reenactments. The uniforms were worn, they were missing shoes. They were beginning to be, for the majority a ragged looking bunch. Im a good ole rebel, but it leaves me to question how "authentic" are these strict uniform codes. Just a thought.

I don't know about other armies but looking at photos of Confederate dead at Fort Mahone in April of '65, the boys of the Army of Northern Virginia still looked relatively well uniformed even in the later stages.

 

[captaindrew]

I am seeing and getting some messages about reenacting and it has gotten me thinking. These reenacting groups seem to have very strict standards on their uniforms. This is of course fine, and I am not complaining or trying to start any kind of argument of any kind. But in battles post 1863, the Confederate Army did not look like the reenactments. The uniforms were worn, they were missing shoes. They were beginning to be, for the majority a ragged looking bunch. Im a good ole rebel, but it leaves me to question how "authentic" are these strict uniform codes. Just a thought.

They weren't as ragged as legend would have you think, in fact they had more of a uniform appearance as the war went on at least jacket wise. The depots supplying the major armies were actually doing a pretty good job clothing wise. Here's one of my favorite photos, these guys were captured in the last days of the war during the Appomattox campaign.

 

[captaindrew]

Reenacting units are not created equal, some are more strict than others. But especially for CS units, if there's no guidelines at all it can look like a ridiculous free for all. Confederate units were regularly supplied from usually the same depot so having each person wearing whatever they want is far from realistic.

 

[PrivateBrooke]

My group is in the process of getting our jackets somewhat uniform. Or at least having a good handful of us in one thing. It doesn't always need to be exact, they were supplied from the same depot, but certain mixtures still were evident. Guys still got things from home and private means, as well as the depots issued different things. For instance RD2 and RD3 jackets were issued concurrently, and at least for a while. All depots issued imported Tait garments, and were smaller depots who supplemented the larger ones in every area, plus states like North Carolina were clothing their own troops until the very end, as well as beginning to also supplemnt the other depots by equipping other state's troops. Jeans jackets were still being issued late enough to be at least a minority presence in the final days of the war, so a couple of jeans RD2's, a 4-button coat, a private or commutation frock/shell jacket or two, and the rest EAC RD jackets wouldn't be an unlikely mix for a 64/65 CS company.

 

[Michael C. Hardy]

I don't know about other armies but looking at photos of Confederate dead at Fort Mahone in April of '65, the boys of the Army of Northern Virginia still looked relatively well uniformed even in the later stages.

They were more ragged in the summer and fall of 1862 than they were in the spring of 1865.