6thkentuckyinfantry.org: New Recruit Needs

New Soldier Uniform and Equipment Needs

Welcome to our Unit! This list will help you get started. Getting outfitted into a new Private can be expensive. However once you have your gear, you should be able to enjoy it for many years. To help with the cost we give you one year to purchase the required items.

Required Items for Infantry and Artillery Privates

1. Jacket (your choice of frock coat, shell jacket or sack coat)

*Artillery usually didn’t wear frock coats. Our unit does not have a specific color uniform that everyone has to wear. However if jacket is trimmed, remember red is for artillery and blue for infantry. An extra blue sack coat for doing Union would also come in handy.

2. Trousers with suspenders (braces)

*Once again your color choice. However remember blue can be worn for Union as well.

3. Hat (kepi, forage cap, or slouch hat)

4. Period correct shirt

5. Brogans (boots may be worn by officer’s, NCO’s and all Artillery)

6. Canteen

7. Period Correct Eyewear if needed. No tinted or colored lenses.

More Required Items for Infantry Only

8. 3 band musket, Enfield or Springfield

*Pistols can only be carried by commissioned officers and 1st Sergeants

9. Bayonet and scabbard with proper tip

10. Leathers: Cartridge Box with tins, Cap Pouch, and Waist Belt with Buckle

11. Cartridges and Musket Caps

*Each individual is responsible for their own, approximately 80 to 100 of each per event. Cartridges are to have no more than 60 grains of blackpowder each. Caps are to be four wing only. No CCI caps.

*There are numerous optional items you may have. Some of these include: a tent, haversack, underdrawers, tin cup/plate, gloves, great coat, poncho/bed roll, knapsack, and camping items. If you have any questions please ask. Have fun at the sutlers and again welcome Private!*

Infantry note: As time goes on, you will learn more about your impression and tricks for being more authentic. One note when starting out is to forget the brass. Things such as company letters and the infantry bugle were seldom worn. Another note is to not buy a CS oval belt buckle. They were seldom worn in the western theater of the war. A regtangle CS buckle or a oval US buckle would be more authentic. Confederates sometimes wore the US buckles upside down for "Southern Nation." Plus you will then have the US buckle when wearing the blue is needed.