A crucial aspect of any reenacters impressions is his uniform. The 1st Maine Sharpshooters strive to be as authentic as possible in this department. No this does not mean we expect you to drop three grand of a museum grade sack coat but there is a simple guideline that all members follow. If done correctly you will have a far better impression than most reenacters you will encounter at events,
Our impression is centered around how the 1st Maine Sharpshooters would have appeared on the Appomattox Campaign. This means that the soldiers would have already had a taste of combat at Petersburg and would have began to resemble veteran troops. Knapsacks and bed rolls would have been worn by the soldiers while marching and while in battle.
Unlike its Berdan counterparts the Battalion would have been outfitted in the same manner of the normal volunteer infantry. Normal infantry uniforms with a 5th corps first division badge would be appropriate. In the existing pictures of the Battalion it appears forage caps generally had infantry bugles. However a impression shouldn't be solely based on these photographs. They were likely taken during the units stay at City Point and the uniforms would likely be drastically different by the time of the Appomattox Campaign.
Do not worry if you cannot obtain all articles listed below. The company and your pards will be happy to loan you gear during events. However loaner gear is limited and priority goes to the newest members so it is recommended that new members work on obtaining a majority of their uniform items by the end of their first season,
Listed below are our uniform guidelines,
Our impression is centered around how the 1st Maine Sharpshooters would have appeared on the Appomattox Campaign. This means that the soldiers would have already had a taste of combat at Petersburg and would have began to resemble veteran troops. Knapsacks and bed rolls would have been worn by the soldiers while marching and while in battle.
Unlike its Berdan counterparts the Battalion would have been outfitted in the same manner of the normal volunteer infantry. Normal infantry uniforms with a 5th corps first division badge would be appropriate. In the existing pictures of the Battalion it appears forage caps generally had infantry bugles. However a impression shouldn't be solely based on these photographs. They were likely taken during the units stay at City Point and the uniforms would likely be drastically different by the time of the Appomattox Campaign.
Do not worry if you cannot obtain all articles listed below. The company and your pards will be happy to loan you gear during events. However loaner gear is limited and priority goes to the newest members so it is recommended that new members work on obtaining a majority of their uniform items by the end of their first season,
Listed below are our uniform guidelines,
Headwear : Forage Cap with 5th Corps Badge. Company Brass or a Bugle would be good but both shouldn't be worn at the same time. If Quartermaster reports can be obtained we can find how common infantry bugles would have been worn. It can also work to not wear any brass at all and only a corps badge.
Civilian slouch hats began to be seen commonly at the end of the war in the Army of the Potomac but should be shyed away from.
Coats and Shirts : A Mixture of Sack Coats and Infantry trimmed frocks. Vests can be worn underneath coats. Shirts should be of period design. Preference is given to white army issue but checkered Civilian shirts work as well.
Trousers , Socks and Shoes : Trousers should be generic sky blue Federal issue. Socks are preferred to be period make but modern ones are allowed as long as they could pass for period. Brogans are to be of Generic Federal design. Having padding inside the shoes of wearing two pairs of socks is recommended.
Weaponry : The preferred weapon of choice would be the 1861 Springfield Rifles Musket. 1853 Enfields were not very common in the AoP so late into the war and Springfields were generally preferred by the soldiers over English imports. However with the high cost of rifles this expectation will not be enforced.
Besides your rifle soldiers are not to carry side arms or long bladed knives. Besides being a safet hazard infantryman had little use for additional weaponry and generally found the burden o carrying it on the march better than its use in battle.
Civilian slouch hats began to be seen commonly at the end of the war in the Army of the Potomac but should be shyed away from.
Coats and Shirts : A Mixture of Sack Coats and Infantry trimmed frocks. Vests can be worn underneath coats. Shirts should be of period design. Preference is given to white army issue but checkered Civilian shirts work as well.
Trousers , Socks and Shoes : Trousers should be generic sky blue Federal issue. Socks are preferred to be period make but modern ones are allowed as long as they could pass for period. Brogans are to be of Generic Federal design. Having padding inside the shoes of wearing two pairs of socks is recommended.
Weaponry : The preferred weapon of choice would be the 1861 Springfield Rifles Musket. 1853 Enfields were not very common in the AoP so late into the war and Springfields were generally preferred by the soldiers over English imports. However with the high cost of rifles this expectation will not be enforced.
Besides your rifle soldiers are not to carry side arms or long bladed knives. Besides being a safet hazard infantryman had little use for additional weaponry and generally found the burden o carrying it on the march better than its use in battle.
Listed here are some inexpensive additions to your impressions that will make you look twice as authentic than most reenacters.
1. Hiking up your traps. A common mistake made by reenacters is having accoutrements low on the body. You might notice your gear might jostle around alot when you go at the double quick or event when marching. The higher the accouterments are up the less this will happen. Soldiers found this out very quickly so they would sow their haversacks and canteen straps up higher generally above their waists. Buttoning your cartridge box up higher is as well. Belts were often worn higher to avoid contact on the scabbard and the leg. This no cost method will make marching far more comfortable and make you look more authentic.
2. A Full kit. Very few cases by this time of the war where there instances where men were ordered to drop knapsacks and bed rolls before going into battle. Although in few cases units were ordered to do so men generally despised it. Often a unit would end up being miles from where they dropped their gear at the beginning of a battle. Without your blanket and tent they would freeze. Men learned quickly to keep their belongings with them.The use of bed rolls and knapsacks would be a must if we want to have the authentic impression we will be striving for. Ask any other members of the company and they will be happy to oblige you with a blanket of knapsack.
3 . Dirty Look. A man serving though Petersburg campaign and on the Appomattox campaign would generally be tired and dirty. Many quotes can be taken from the history of the 20th Maine describing the conditions of the army. Generally men were exhausted, extremely dirty and hungry. Not cleaning your jacket and trousers after events and rubbing them in dirt will give you the "look" of a soldier who just came of a siege. Do not sport your band box parade uniform.
2. A Full kit. Very few cases by this time of the war where there instances where men were ordered to drop knapsacks and bed rolls before going into battle. Although in few cases units were ordered to do so men generally despised it. Often a unit would end up being miles from where they dropped their gear at the beginning of a battle. Without your blanket and tent they would freeze. Men learned quickly to keep their belongings with them.The use of bed rolls and knapsacks would be a must if we want to have the authentic impression we will be striving for. Ask any other members of the company and they will be happy to oblige you with a blanket of knapsack.
3 . Dirty Look. A man serving though Petersburg campaign and on the Appomattox campaign would generally be tired and dirty. Many quotes can be taken from the history of the 20th Maine describing the conditions of the army. Generally men were exhausted, extremely dirty and hungry. Not cleaning your jacket and trousers after events and rubbing them in dirt will give you the "look" of a soldier who just came of a siege. Do not sport your band box parade uniform.
- How to Pack a Knapsack and Bed Roll by Jason Goodnite
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