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The following is a brief list of the items you will be expected to acquire over your first two years of military reenacting.  Taken in total, this group of items may seem a bit pricey.  But you are not expected to buy everything all at once.  We veteran members of the 41st are ready and willing to lend you items while you compile your own kit.  Don't be afraid to ask questions about anything you want to know about outfitting yourself.
 
 
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Uniform Jacket
The 41st Virginia was part of Mahone’s Brigade of the Army of Northern Virginia.  It can be documented that, at times, units within the ANV were supplied with large quantities of clothing, specifically uniform jackets, from common depots.  These large one-time issues served to create a short-term uniform appearance.  It is more widely documented that throughout the war the appearance of any Confederate unit was less uniform.  This “hodgepodge” appearance was due to a variety of factors which included origin of materials, availability and quality of materials, manufacturing sites, adequacy of supply systems, disposition of the soldier, and geographic position of the armies.  With this as a basis, the following regulations for uniform jackets have been developed.  Other coats may be approved by the military officers on an individual basis, provided they can be justified.

Jacket Style-
Richmond Depot Type 2 (recommended)
Richmond Depot Type 3
“Plain” or “Common” Shell
North Carolina Shell
Peter Tait

Jacket Material- wool, wool jean, jean cloth or satinette.
Cloth from Ben Tart is recommended, but County Cloth and Family Heirlooms cloths are also acceptable.

Jacket Color- any authentic period color for the particular jacket

Note:  Due to the fact that most commissioned officers had to purchase or acquire their uniforms privately, the Company Commander may be allowed to choose jacket styles, materials, and colors outside the boundaries of these requirements at his discretion.

Uniform Trousers
Any solid color, period style, and period material (i.e., wool, wool jean, jean cloth, or linen) is acceptable.  Modified or unmodified modern pants are not acceptable under any circumstances.

Braces (Suspenders)
Any period style braces made with period correct materials must be worn with trousers.  Modified or unmodified modern suspenders are not acceptable under any circumstances.

Shirts
Any period style, material, pattern, and/or color is acceptable.  Modified or unmodified modern shirts are not acceptable under any circumstances.

Socks
Period socks are available through sutlers and some outdoor clothing stores.  These should be a solid color and 100% wool or cotton and may not include elastic in their manufacture.

Drawers
For individuals who cannot tolerate the rubbing of wool, wool jean, or jean cloth trousers, ankle length cotton or linen drawers are available through sutlers.  They should be constructed from a period pattern and may not include elastic in their manufacture.

Footwear
Leather Brogans are available through sutlers and mail order.  Metal heel plates are recommended to increase the life of the shoe.  Period civilian shoes and boots are also acceptable.  Modified or unmodified modern shoes or boots are not acceptable under any circumstances.

Headgear
Your headgear is an item of personal choice and sets the character of your overall impression.  You are encouraged to shop around and suppress the urge to purchase a hat via mail order.  Recommended types of headgear include civilian “slouch” hats, Federal Hardee hats or “bummers”, and Confederate kepis or forage caps.  Great care should be taken purchasing a hat, as the hats sold by most sutlers are completely unauthentic and are based more on a cartoon representation of the Southern soldier than historical accuracy.  Absolutely NO modern “cowboy” or “fedora” type hats are allowed.  Note:  Hat brass is frowned upon, as it was not prominent in the Confederate Army during the latter stages of the war.  Be prepared to justify your decision to wear hat brass.

Eyewear
Wearing of contacts is recommended, as eyeglasses were costly and primarily used for reading.  However, it is understood that not everyone can wear contact lenses.  If you must wear glasses, they must be period, nothing destroys an individual or units impression quicker than modern glasses.  There are many styles of period frames available from sutlers and antique shops.  Tinted lenses are not acceptable.

Civilian Clothing
Civilian members of the 41st should hold themselves to the same level of authenticity as the military camp.  Clothing should be made only of period materials and from period patterns.  No modern materials should be used in the manufacture of the clothing.  Clothing should be appropriate to the re-enactor’s first person impression and situation as well as the time of day.

*  Construction of clothing should be in a period fashion.  Sewing should be appropriate to the type of garment.  Most garments should be hand sewn.  On uniform jackets, all visible stitching must be hand done.  A civilian greatcoat or vest could be either hand or machine sewn.  A federal great coat should be machine sewn except for button holes.  Period sewing machines were not capable of sewing button holes, so all button holes on all garments should be hand sewn.

Canteen
Any period style canteen is appropriate; however, Federal bullseye or smoothside types would have been found in greater abundance.  Other styles include round wooden drums and tin drums.  As canteens of the period were not made of stainless steel, stainless steel canteens are not acceptable.

Haversack
There is a wide variety of haversack styles to choose from:  Confederate and homemade linen, Federal issue tarred, and civilian “carpet bag” styles are all acceptable.

Tentage
The 41st Virginia portrays a Confederate unit on campaign and as such does not allow a shelter larger than a dog tent in military camp.  If members erect a dog tent, no fewer than two people should share the shelter.  Federal shelter halves, gum blankets, Confederate oilcloths, and homemade canvas shelter halves are all acceptable for military members.  Civilian members may use tentage appropriate for their first person impressions.

Blankets
Any authentic period quilt or blanket is acceptable.  No modern camping blankets or modern military wool blankets are allowed.

Knapsack
The use of a knapsack is purely a personal choice.  It is well documented that the 41st Virginia obtained and used knapsacks throughout the war.  The two main types of knapsack used by Confederate forces were the Confederate single bag and the Federal double bag.  Several other types are also acceptable, including Mexican War hard packs and British Enfield (Isaac & Campbell) packs.

Mess Equipment
This is a topic that is extremely individualized.  It could range from a tin cup and pocketknife to a covered coffee boiler and frying pan.  Don’t go nuts on this one, start small and add as you need to.  There are some tricks involved and a variety of good resources for obtaining period eating utensils and tinware are available.  Blue enamelware was not invented until the 1870s and is thus not acceptable for military or civilian use.
 

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