Rich Mountain Event - Guidelines & Impressions

Updated Tuesday, July 4, 2006 11:27 PM

GUIDING IMPRESSIONS

FEDERAL: Infantry - 10th Indiana Volunteer Infantry.

CONFEDERATE: Infantry - 25th Virginia Volunteer Infantry, Cavalry - Company I, 14th Virginia Cavalry (Churchville Cavalry), Artillery - Lee Battery.

EVENT TYPE: Campaign, semi-immersion event. This is not a spectator event. However, at the conclusion of the immersion portion of the event on Sunday, there will be a spectator living history at Camp Garnett from 10 AM - 1 PM. Attendees with long driving distances will be released before the living history. We ask that those who are within shorter distances to stay until approximately 1:00 PM.

Pvt. John Bailey
25th Virginia Infantry
Company "A"

Lt. Reuben C. Kise - 10th IVI

FIRST-PERSON EXPECTATIONS

1) We expect people not to bring ANY 21st century talk into the ranks at the event. This does not mean that we want perfect first-person from everyone, but we want to attempt to maintain a period setting. Please do not ruin the event for others.

2) We will be on actual ground, in real-time and portraying the real units who were there. Live in the moment at the event. To maximize this, prepare physically. Drink tons of water in the weeks leading up to the event. Prepare yourself mentally and physically to be challenged, because you will be on both counts.

3) We hope that every person reads about their respective unit (10th Indiana, 20th and 25th Virginia, Churchville Cavalry and Lee Battery) and prepares at least for the mindset of these men we are portraying. Where were they prior to the battle? Where are they from? How long have they been away from home (not long)? This is not required, but will enhance your experience.

First-Person Information Sources: Includes several sources that have been posted in our Authentic Campaigner Event Folder, and consolidated here:

1) Rebels at the Gate - By Hunter Lesser - Click Here to order.
2) Rich Mountain Revisited - By Dallas B.Shaffer - Click Here to read article.
3) Yanks From the South - By Fritz Haselberger - Contact the Rich Mountain Battlefield Foundation at (304) 637-7424 to order.
4) 25th Virginia Regimental History - Contact the Rich Mountain Battlefield Foundation at (304) 637-7424 to order.
5) 25th Virginia - Basic Information - The Upshur Grays - Click Here.
6) Letter from the 15th Indiana Volunteer Infantry - From Mark Jaeger - Click Here.
7) 10th Indiana From April 1861, to Rich Mountain - From Mark Jaeger - Click Here.
8) 10th Indiana Quartermaster Reports - Provided By Mark Jaeger - Click Here.
9) 13th Indiana Letter - Provided By Mark Jaeger - Click Here.
10) General Information About the Western Virginia Campaign - Click Here.

FEDERAL UNIFORM GUIDELINES
10th Indiana Volunteer Infantry
(Click Here For Printer Friendly Version)

CLOTHING

Headgear (All should be worn correctly):

1) Hardee hat of correct period construction (undressed).
2) Forage Cap. Correct shellacked bill - not shaped like a baseball cap and correct material and construction.
3) NO CIVILIAN HATS

Coats/Jackets:

1) Dark Blue "State Issue Jacket" (preferred). Must be of proper construction, materials and pattern with hand sewn buttonholes. Click here for photo of jacket on CJ Daley's web site.
2) Federal infantry issue shell jacket (roundabouts).
3) Four button sack coat of correct construction, lined or unlined. Hand sewn button holes.
4) NO FROCK COATS, CAVALRY JACKETS or NEW YORK STATE JACKETS.

Shirt:

1) U. S. Regulation Issue Domet flannel. To be all hand-stitched and flat-felled seams. Natural off-white.
2) Civilian shirt. Hand-sewn 100% wool or 100% homespun, with hand sewn buttonholes.
3) Wool flannel contract shirt with hand sewn buttonholes.

Trousers:

1) Dark Blue infantry pattern (preferred) with stamped-tin paperback buttons and hand sewn buttonholes.
2) Sky blue infantry pattern, wool kersey with stamped-tin paperback buttons and hand sewn buttonholes.

Drawers:

1) Civilian pattern. Hand-sewn button holes. (Light-weight suggested).
2) Military issue. Hand-sewn button holes. (Light-weight suggested).

Footwear:

1) Government issued shoes. Suggested with hobnails.
2) NO BOOTS

Socks: Military or civilian socks. Hand-knitted cotton or wool of period construction. (Having an extra pair is strongly suggested)

ACCOUTREMENTS

Haversacks:

U.S. issue black tarred haversack of proper period construction with roller-buckle.

Canteens:

U.S. issued smooth-side with or without jean or wool cover. Leather straps (preferred). Cotton straps are also acceptable. NO CHAINS. Hemp or linen twine for cork stopper.

Knapsacks:

1855 double bag soft pack, black of correct period construction or a horse collar.

Cartridge Boxes (Bring 60 Rounds - Must Have Tins):

Correct period construction US issue .69 or .58 caliber box with US box plate, sling and breast plate. Bring 40-60 rounds: (must have tins).

Cap Pouch: Must have wool liner. Bring 80 Caps:

1) U.S. Shield front.
2) U.S. M 1850.

Waistbelt: Early war 1.9" wide waxed leather belt with loop strongly preferred. Blackened buff acceptable but not required. NO BRASS KEEPERS! No white militia belts.

U.S. Issue Belt Plate: Puppy paws under the "S" are correct for the time period (preferred).

Firearms (We strongly encourage weapons that have all modern markings removed):

1) M 1842 Smoothbore Springfield (.69 caliber would have been most prevalent).
2) M 1853 Enfield
3) M 1861 Springfield

Appropriate rifle sling (optional). No 2-banded weapons.

Bayonet Scabbards: Federal sewn scabbard or 2-rivet. *Must have an attached finial.

BLANKETS, TENTAGE, ETC.

Blankets:

Brown or gray U.S. issue blankets with brown preferred.

Tentage: No tents or shelter halves.

Gum Blankets/Oil Cloth:

1) Tarred oil Cloth
2) U.S. issue India gum blanket with small grommets.
3) Ponchos are least preferred.

EYEWEAR

1) Period frames only.
2) NO modern eyewear of ANY kind! (Contacts excluded)

CONFEDERATE UNIFORM GUIDELINES
25th Virginia Volunteer Infantry
(Click Here For Printer Friendly Version)

CLOTHING

Headgear (All should be of correct period construction and worn correctly):

1) CS kepi
2) CS Forage Cap (McDowell Style)
3) Civilian hats (Slouch, Wheel Hat, Mechanics Hats, etc.)

Coats/Jackets: Jean, cassimere, satinette construction with hand sewn buttonholes at a minimum.

1) Frock coats
2) Civilian pattern sack coats or frock coat
3) Battle shirts
4) Commutation jackets

- Note From Hunter Lesser Author of Rebels at the Gate on Coats/Jackets: "Some of the Rebels were wearing blue jackets, and civilian outfits were probably a lot more common than we think... In short, a blue jacket or two on the secessionist side wouldn't hurt historically."

Shirts: Civilian pattern shirt made of woven material with small buttons - glass, bone, china, mother of pearl or other natural materials. No synthetic materials, i.e. plastic.

Trousers: Should be made of period-correct material with hand sewn buttonholes, paper-backed tin buttons or black-lacquered buttons preferred.

1) Military pattern
2) Civilian pattern
3) Dark blue trousers reluctantly accepted.

Suspenders: Any type of period civilian model with tin or brass buckles.

Drawers: Canton flannel or cotton muslin/osnaburg of military or civilian pattern

Footwear:

1) Civilian pattern shoes (Strongly preferred. We will be on the move).
2) Federal issue shoes (Strongly preferred. We will be on the move).
3) Infantry boots

- Note From Hunter Lesser Author of Rebels at the Gate on Confederate Footwear: "Tall boots were in style and probably in use by some - at least till they could find replacements!"

Socks: Woven wool or cotton socks with natural colors. NO elastic or rag wool socks.

ACCOUTREMENTS

Haversacks: Documented Confederate issue haversack of painted or unpainted cloth. No Federal haversacks.

Canteens:

1) CS tin drum
2) Documented pattern wooden drum canteen
3) US smooth side canteen

Knapsacks:

1) Prichard bag
2) Mexican war
3) Blanket roll tied with an acceptable blanket strap, belt, etc. No bale or twine.

(U.S. Double bag discouraged but reluctantly accepted)

Cartridge Boxes (Bring 60 Rounds - Must Have Tins):

1) US 1857 pattern box with no plates
2) CS Leather issue boxes

Cartridge Box Belt: Waxed leather preferred blackened buff and bridle acceptable.

Cap Pouch: Must have wool liner. Bring 80 Caps:

1) US 1850 pattern pouch
2) CS issue cap pouches

Firearms: (We strongly encourage weapons that have all modern markings removed):

1) 1842 Springfield Smoothbore
2) 1841 Mississippi
3) 1816 Flintlock Converted to Percussion (Or non-converted - please check with event organizers to review safety and experience with weapon)
4) 1850 Harper's Ferry (1842 Springfield rifled at Harper's Ferry Armory)
5) 1853 Enfields and 1861 Springfields are also accepted if you have none of the above.

Bayonet Scabbards:

1) Federal sewn scabbard or 2-rivet
2) CS issue

BLANKETS, TENTAGE, ETC.

Blankets:

1) Civilian coverlets or 2-piece blankets
2) Civilian Quilts
3) U.S. issue blankets reluctantly accepted.

Gum Blankets/Ground Cloth:

1) Floor Cloths
2) Tarred Cloth
3) Vulcanized Ground Cloth

Tentage: We will allow a limited number of Sibley tents to be arranged with the event organizers. If you have access to Sibley tent(s), please send an e-mail to etinohio@msn.com.

- Note from Hunter Lesser - Author of Rebels at the Gate on Tentage: "Beside the Sibleys, which should be a minority, there were many "brush shelters" (lean-to's etc.) at Camp Garnett. These are encouraged; apparently there was a shortage of tents at Camp Garnett (unlike Laurel Hill)."

EYEWEAR

1) Period frames only.
2) NO modern eyewear of ANY kind! (Contacts excluded)

MEDICATION FOR BOTH ARMIES

To be kept in period containers and INSIDE YOUR HAVERSACKS.