First Division, Army of Northern Virginia
Authenticity Guidelines
The purpose of First Division, Army of Northern Virginia's Authenticity Committee is to provide detailed guidelines to it's members on whata soldier in the ANV would have looked like during the early, mid and late war periods. The ANV feels that it's members will want to upgrade their portrayal of the Southern soldier and civilian, based on this research. Though careful study and documentation, we have set these guidelines to ensure an authentic, educational and enjoyable experience for both reenactor and spectator alike
As an organization whose focus is to represent the life of the typical soldier in the ANV, we have a responsibility to take more than a recreational view as to what we are portraying. This constitutes duplicating the appearance and the behavior of the original soldiers as closely as possible and this will undoubtedly require some changes in impressions. No one will be asked to change their impression without being provided with the historical research showing why that change is appropriate. We feel based on this documentation that they will naturally want to change.
These guidelines have been organized into 5 sections. The first being uniforms and accoutrements ( including weapons ) of the infantryman. The second will deal with camps and tentage, the third will be military protocol, the fourth will be a section devoted entirely to women in the ranks. The last section will be miscellaneous items of interest.
As in all things, this committee is not the definitive edge to authenticity. In fact, we've only scratched the surface. We hope these guidelines will encourage you to delve deeper into the research and education. There is undoubtedly documented contradictions to these guidelines and if properly documented can be accepted, if not encouraged.
We would like to thank the following, without whose help this would not have been possible: Wendy King, Abe Wiles, Robert Rice,Gary Gray, Maynard Riddle, Mike Scholl, Matthew Danker, John Moore, Phil and Jim Maddox and Larry Galante.
Contents:
Uniforms and Equipment of the Infantryman
Uniform Coat - Early War Enlisted - Militia uniforms or single-breasted frock coats of jean cloth with trim.
Early War Officer - Also Militia uniforms and single and double breasted frock coats with trim. Cloth should be jean cloth or satinette. Wool was available but very expensive.
Mid War Enlisted - A standard, untrimmed Richmond Depot Type II style with shoulder straps( epaulets ) and belt loops. Nine button front in jean cloth Mid War Officer - Single and double breasted frock coats and and Type II jackets without trim in jean cloth and satinette. The frock coat was gradually being used less and less.
Late War Enlisted - Richmond Type II and III in blue/grey kersey wool. Also Peter Tait and Co. jackets in blue/grey kersey
Late War Officer - Officers were being issued Richmond Type II & III's at this time as well. Only the most senior staff members had frock coats due to their high price.
Buttons - May be either Block I in brass, wood, eagle, and civilian style buttons. State issue should be for early war impressions only.
Uniform Pants - Should be of period style with a high waist that covers the navel and of a jean cloth fabric. Pockets may be side seam or mule ear Buttons for the fly should be should be bone or wood. Should be a good mix of Yankee blue trousers as well.
Footwear - Brogans or Jefferson bootees should be black or russet in color, with pegged or sewn soles and rough or smooth side out. Civilian styles were common too. Most junior officers wore brogans as well. There are too many boots on junior officers out there
Socks - Should be 100% wool or cotton. No modern white socks or hunting socks. No elastic or nylon. Colors should be gray or off-white.
Hats - Should be a good mix of slouch hats, forage caps and kepis. Lean more toward the caps and kepis during the early war and lean heavily on slouch hats during the late war. Throw in some Federal caps as well and your well covered. Slouch hats should be formed with stitch or ribbon edged, crown ribbon and lined with period stamp. No hillbilly hats. We were citizen soldiers not hillbillies. There should be little or no bugles, regimental numbers, or other hat brass displayed.
Shirt - Either Army issue ( Domet flannel ) or civilian style. Buttons should be bone, wood, or glass.
Weapons - 3-banded Model 1853 Enfields, Model 1861 Springfields, Richmonds, and .69 flintlock conversions are all appropriate. .69 flintlock conversions should be restricted to early to mid war events. All visible modern markings on the barrel and lock plate should be removed and replaced with correct period stamps. Slings, if used, should be black or russet leather or canvas.
Cartridge Box and Sling - Should be Confederate issue, Enfield, or captured Federal with tins, in either black, russet or dark brown leather. Only the Federal box should have a plate. Slings should be of black, russet, or dark brown leather or mid to late war you could use a black treated linen sling. Cartridges should be constructed using period wrappers and period techniques and should be bundled in groups of ten. Remember ammunition was issued. Cartridge pack labels should have red or black lettering.
Cap Box - Should be black, russet or dark brown in either theU. S. Model 1850 or Enfield
Waistbelt and Buckle - Early war should be CS oval and state issue. After that should be GA. Frame, Confederate fork tongue and English snake belts in black, russet or dark brown leather . Also a black treated linen belt would be appropriate.
Scabbard, Bayonet and Throg - Scabbards should be the U.S.Model 1859-1863 variants, the British Enfield type or the C.S. bayonet, Richmond Arsenal pattern.. Color should be black.
Haversacks - Use either the Confederate model of plain cotton duck or the US model in tarred black. The soldiers cherished the US model. However, the Confederate model can be washed more easily.
Canteen - Confederate drum or Federal Bullseye or smooth side is acceptable. No stainless steel. Wooden canteens tend to leak but your water will taste better.
Blanket - U.S. regulation ( gray wool jean with black strips and U.S. sewn in the middle ), U.S. early war emergency issue ( gray wool with dark brown stripes ), civilian blankets, homemade quilts ( should have geometric designs ) are all good choices.
Knapsacks - More common than you think. It was common to see a Confederate soldier equipped with both blanket roll and knapsack. Good choices are a Federal double bag, a Confederate single bag made of painted canvas or cloth, an Isaac Campbell import from Great Britain or a Kibler ( similiar to the Mexican War type ).
Camps should be segregated by type. Campaign ( bedrolls, shebangs, and dog tents ) should be on the extreme outer perimeter of the company streets. A-tents should be closer to the Battalion camps. Supernumerary tents ( walls and sibleys ) should be at the top of the company streets. Tent flies should not be erected in the company streets. Company streets should be kept clean at all times. No visible anachronisms should be visible. This includes coolers, cans, bottles, plastic bags, sleeping bags etc. These and like items should be kept in a tent or covered with a period blanket or ground cloth. There are ways to disguise modern containers. It only takes a few extra seconds. Eggs can be put into a basket or bowl and covered with cloth. Salt, pepper, sauces, milk etc must be placed in period viles or bottles. Speckleware is not authentic. This includes plates, cups, coffee pots etc. There are a few types that are closely authentic but historic documentation must be included if you plan to use them. Its best to stay away from them. Tin and glassware is authentic and economic. Drinks should be poured from modern containers inside a tent or other concealed place and brought out afterwards. Coolers concealed in a box should be opened only when the public cannot see. Virtually all food can be stored in jars with a piece of cloth and string tied to hide the modern lid. Authentic cigarettes were rare and costly. Modern cigarettes are not permitted. If you must smoke, try a pipe or cigar. Dependents of soldiers are strongly urged to camp in designated civilian camps. They are expected to conform to these guidelines as well. Flags should be made of period fabrics and be authentic to the unit being portrayed. Remember most militia flags were retired early in the war.
A soldier should be soldierly in dress, soldierly in carriage, and soldierly in courtesies. On all occasions of duty, except fatigue, and when out of quarters, the coat or jacket shall be buttoned and hooked at the collar. Sergeants, with muskets, will salute by bringing the left hand across the body, so as to strike the musket near the right shoulder. Corporals out of ranks, and privates, not sentries, will carry their muskets at a shoulder as sergeants and salute in like manner. When a soldier without arms or side-arms only meets an officer, he is to raise his hand to the right side of the visor of the cap, palm to the front, elbow raised as high as the shoulder, looking at the same time in a respectful manner at the officer, who will return the compliment. A non-commissioned officer or soldier seated, will rise on the approach of an officer, and make the customary salutation. If standing, he will turn toward the officer for the same purpose. If parties remain in the same area, such compliments need not be repeated. When an officer approaches a number of enlisted men, the word "attention" should be given by someone who perceives him and all should stand at attention and salute. An officer armed with a sabre, renders the sabre salute, if the sabre is drawn; otherwise he salutes with the hand. Salutes are not rendered when marching at the double quick time or at the trot or gallop. Non-commissioned officers and soldiers should pay the same salutations to officers of other regiments, Navy and Marines. When speaking to an officer a soldier should speak in the third person such as, " Does the Captain want his horse this morning?"?" Do not say "Do you want your horse this morning." In speaking to an officer an enlisted man should refer to another enlisted man by his proper title, as "Sergeant Smith, Private Ryan". When asked his name a soldier should answer " Private Jones, Sir". Do not use slang while speaking to an officer. After a soldier finishes a task he was ordered to do, he should always report back to that same officer who gave him the order i.e. " The Captains message has been delivered ". Always salute an officer just as soon as that officer makes the first move to leave. Upon entering an office or tent, a soldier should knock, whether open or closed, enter, taking off the hat, and remain just inside the door until asked what is wanted; then go to a few feet from the officer, stand at attention and salute. On completion, salute, face toward the door and go out. When an enlisted man recieves a message, verbal or written, from an officer for delivery, he will salute, and say "Yes Sir", and execute an about-face and proceed immediately to the recipient. Upon reaching the recipient the soldier will salute and say "Sir, Captain Smith presents his compliments". If the officer sending the message is junior to the one recieving it, then the soldier will not present the compliment but say "Sir, Lt. Smith directed me to tell the Captain" etc. The compliments of a junior are never presented to a senior.
There is too much reenactment dogma on the field that it has turned into the norm. This section is dedicated to help squelch those myths. There is no command "Load and Hold". The proper command is "Cease Fire". At this command the soldier will reload and come to the ready, giving you the same result. The echoing of commands other then while in combat also falls under the heading of reenacting dogma. Only the company commander or Battalion commander should be heard. While in Battalion formation, the Company commanders only should softly repeat the Colonels orders. This also applies to the company level as well. Only the Captain should be heard to give orders, the First Sergeant should not repeat his commands. When the First Sergeant is in command, his orders should not be repeated and so on. The use of sabres to change direction or signify some other action is also inaccurate. Only "Shoulder Arms, Present Arms and Parade Rest" are recognized. The ever - present " without doubling " is another incorrect command. Though it has been seen in a few period letters, the actual command is not found in any period manual. The correct command would be for example " in two ranks, right face ". Physical appearance is also important in the field. There was far more clean shaven faces on soldiers than is represented. In upwards of 40%. Try a clean cut look as an alternative.