Gear check.

[Christian1863]

I will be joining the 15th Massachusetts either this year or early next year they frequently attend Gettysburg i believe..

things i have already: Sack coat, Trousers, Braces, forage cap, Cartridge box, Cap box,

things i need to save up for and will be buying the us made versions from CC sutlery: Size 11 1/12 Rough side out Brogans, Food storage/utensils, US Made tarred haversack, 1855 oval cartridge box plate, m1858 Smooth side navy blue canteen, Puppy paw belt plate, m1855 Belt. if anyone has any of these items for a decent price id be interested in eventually buying once i get money.

 

[captaindrew]

I would recommend not going with the rough side out shoes, originals weren't that way, that's a version popular with mainstream reenactors, why I have no clue. The more authentic covering for your canteen would be jean clothe of grey or tan. The Federal arsenals generally wouldn't use high quality wool for canteen covers unless there was scrap on hand. You're off to a good start. Get your shoes first. The other things you should be able to borrow till you can collect your own.

 

[peacefulanimalguy7]

Also add onto your list a bayonet scabbard. Don't buy the Enfield scabbard/frog, get the scabbard for the Springfield, even if your weapon is indeed an Enfield. If you can get one with two rivets instead of 7, even better since it's appropriate for events pre-1863.

 

[3rdBrigade]

I would strongly suggest a pair of U.S. Drawers from Wambaugh & White. An accurate pair of drawers, seldom seen as it is , will make a huge difference in your reenacting experience.

 

[captaindrew]

@Christian1863 what part of the world do you live again? There's a 15th Massachusetts group in my area.

 

[Christian1863]

I would recommend not going with the rough side out shoes, originals weren't that way, that's a version popular with mainstream reenactors, why I have no clue. The more authentic covering for your canteen would be jean clothe of grey or tan. The Federal arsenals generally wouldn't use high quality wool for canteen covers unless there was scrap on hand. You're off to a good start. Get your shoes first. The other things you should be able to borrow till you can collect your own.

@Christian1863 what part of the world do you live again? There's a 15th Massachusetts group in my area.

north central mass

 

[captaindrew]

north central mass

I'll probably see you around then, I'm in New Hampshire. If you come to any of the local events let me know, I'll introduce myself. I'll be on the Confederate side but the 15th goes both ways so you may be too. You picked a good group, they are a nice bunch.

 

[PrivateBrooke]

Instead of C&C, I'd recommend saving up an extra hundred bucks and getting these.

Federal Issue Style Contract Brogan - Sewn Sole

Excellence in Authentic textile recreations and straw hats

www.southunionmills.com

I have a pair, and they're wonderful. Your feet will thank you, and you'll have a better quality, more accurate shoe. I never found sutler row brogans to be comfortable.

 

[gary]

Have fun. I have a reprint of the regimental history from Higginson Books, but here it is on googlebooks:

The Story of the Fifteenth Massachusetts Volunteer Infantry in the Civil War

 

[johan_steele]

Brogans… do not skimp on your feet. Ill fitting shoes worn for a weekend will be the worst hours of your life and make the following week miserable.

I always recommend MB&S.

 

[Dan Kohli]

I second both South Union Mills and Missouri Boot & Shoe.

 

[7thWisconsin]

I'm gonna swim upstream here - at your age, and just getting started, I wouldn't go all out for a pair of shoes. Buy what you can afford and have money left for the other items on your list. (Same with the very specific belt plate and cartridge box plate. Just order them from the sutler and use the savings elsewhere.) You're not likely to feel the effects like some of us who are longer in the tooth. Just break them in before you wear them in the field. The ones from C&C will do just fine, although the Fall Creek shoes are pretty much the standard in mainstream reenacting. You'll get 3-5 years off them, and by that time you'll be in a position to decide about an upgrade.
It's good to hear from you again. Get out there and enjoy the season.

 

[bayonet]

Don't forget the whiskey flask in your haversack filled with your favorite spirits. I had mine filled with Blueberry Brandy. Oh and some cheap cigars, cheap because when I reenacted as a Private and that's all a Private can afford!

 

[captaindrew]

Don't forget the whiskey flask in your haversack filled with your favorite spirits. I had mine filled with Blueberry Brandy. Oh and some cheap cigars, cheap because when I reenacted as a Private and that's all a Private can afford!

The OP is a young man who just reached the age he can take field, not an appropriate recommendation quite yet. And also on a very tight budget as we all were at that age. So keep that in mind folks when trying to help. Luckily he's picked a good group that I'm quite sure will help him get started.

 

[7thWisconsin]

Don't forget the whiskey flask in your haversack filled with your favorite spirits. I had mine filled with Blueberry Brandy. Oh and some cheap cigars, cheap because when I reenacted as a Private and that's all a Private can afford!

Captaindrew said it the serious way - I'll say it the less serious way: Penny candy and sarsparilla might be a better order!

 

[PrivateBrooke]

The OP is a young man who just reached the age he can take field, not an appropriate recommendation quite yet. And also on a very tight budget as we all were at that age. So keep that in mind folks when trying to help. Luckily he's picked a good group that I'm quite sure will help him get started.

That's precisely why I only recommend setting his sights higher in the brogans department. And I recommend probably the best footwear deal in the game right now. Even if everything else is a work in progress, at least he'll have sturdy and comfortable shoes so he can enjoy events.

Also OP, absolutely don't be afraid of used gear. You might actually be able to get better stuff for less than C&C, and it'll already show some signs of use, which is a bonus!

 

[The Ninth Ohio]

One thing to consider especially for younger living historians is you may still grow out of a lot of your uniform. As important as getting good shoes is, you might want to consider a shorter term option.

 

[peacefulanimalguy7]

things i need to save up for and will be buying the us made versions from CC sutlery: Size 11 1/12 Rough side out Brogans, Food storage/utensils, US Made tarred haversack, 1855 oval cartridge box plate, m1858 Smooth side navy blue canteen, Puppy paw belt plate, m1855 Belt. if anyone has any of these items for a decent price id be interested in eventually buying once i get money.

Also do you have a plan for tentage? The routes are either:
-A-Frame, for if you want privacy/being able to hide a sleeping cot or bag.
-Shelter Half/Gum blanket for sleeping like a soldier on the march. More for if you want to enter the campaigner world.

 

[bayonet]

being able to hide a sleeping cot or bag

Say it ain't so for that's so Farby. What next tell him to forget the brogans and wear sneakers! Sleep on your blanket under the shelter half with your feet sticking out!

 

[7thWisconsin]

Say it ain't so for that's so Farby. What next tell him to forget the brogans and wear sneakers! Sleep on your blanket under the shelter half with your feet sticking out!

This is a beginner. New reenactors need to concentrate on what you need for the daylight, public, activity oriented parts of the event. A tents are way out of his budget right now. Even a shelter tent and a blanket are probably pushing the limits.
When I was a young un, my parents brought their camper and I stayed with them. Sometimes events were close enough that I went home in the evening. If you don't have family camping with you, coordinate with your unit about tent space. Use what blankets/sleeping gear you have and stow it away in the morning.