Haversack
The black, tarred haversack was used for carrying personal items, hardtack, and extra ammunition. They were made by a variety of manufacturers, so styles vary. It is worn on the left side, away from the cartridge box, though is usually not worn for dress occasions such as funerals. Most have an inner cloth bag held by buttons, which is removable for washing.
Look for an early-war pattern as made by an eastern contractor, as Co. H portrays the regiment as it was during the first two years of the war. Late war patterns (1864) would not have existed at Antietam or Gettysburg. Late war patterns feature stripes and buckles held by rivets instead of stitching.
Personal items, such as eating utensils, hardtack, playing card, money, and modern items may be safely and conveniently carried in a haversack.
Cartridge Box
The leather cartridge box is an essential piece of equipment and truly highlights the uniform. It is worn on the right hip, suspended by a strap worn across the left shoulder. The shoulder strap is adorned with a round, brass breastplate featuring the American Eagle. Cartridge boxes usually feature an oval US badge, similar to the buckle worn on the waist belt. Later in the war, some soldiers carried their cartridge box on their waist belt, eliminating the shoulder belt.
Most union reenactors attach the standard "US" oval brass cartridge box plate to their cartridge box. These are usually made available as a separate item.
You will require two ammunition tins to be placed in your cartridge box. Check to see if cartridge box tines are included with your cartridge box. They were designed to hold forty rounds of ammunition. These are sometimes sold separately, so be sure to inquire if they are included with the box.
Cartridge Box Strap and Plate
An essential piece of equipment, this wide, black leather shoulder strap is worn over the left shoulder and down on a diagonal to the right hip.
Most union infantrymen, attach a round, brass eagle plate to the cartridge box shoulder strap. Kept well-polished, this an eye-catching part of the uniform worn in the middle of the chest -- although Confederates sometimes saw this as a target.
Waist Belt and Buckle
You will need a waist belt with the regulation oval "US" brass buckle. The belt carries the cap pouch and bayonet scabbard, and also holds in place your cartridge box when properly worn over the cartridge box strap.
Be sure the buckle is oval and says "US" in the center. Rectangular belt buckles exist for NCOs, officers, cavalrymen, and others, but should not be worn by the infantry private.
Many belts come with a brass or leather "keeper", to keep the cap pouch from sliding toward the back of your belt. Ask the sutler if the keeper is included, is an extra cost, and ask if they will install it. Brass keepers were a mid-war introduction.
Cap Pouch
The cap pouch holds percussion caps at the ready at your right-front, and is attached to your waist belt. Cap pouches come in a variety of qualities; good ones include a wool lining inside the flap to keep the caps from falling out, and a nipple pick loop (and perhaps the pick itself) on the inside. Early-war varieties are best for our purposes.
Nipple Pick
The nipple pick is an essential piece of equipment for the firing of the rifle musket. It is small (and therefore may be easily lost), inexpensive, and may be purchased from most general sutlers. It is used to clear the black powder that may clog the nipple -- or cone -- on the rifle musket.
Check your percussion cap pouch. It should have a loop to hold a nipple pick, and may have a nipple pick already.
Reenactors frequently carry more than one nipple pick on their person.
Bayonet Scabbard
Several types are available, reproducing those originally made in England or the United States, and representing early-war or late-war patterns. You should be guided by looking for an early-war pattern.
A sample of a suitable bayonet scabbard may be found on the C & D Jarnagin online catalogue, item number 245. It is a two-rivet (early war) scabbard of a pattern from 1895. This was a scabbard made in the United States to fit the 1853 Enfield rifle musket.
Later-war patterns (1863) featured seven rivets for strength, but are not accurate for early war portrayals.
The preferred scabbard is angled so that the tip of the bayonet faces down and toward the back. Scabbards with frogs that hang straight down are available, but are generally not suitable for Union impressions.
Canteen
Many reenactment rules state that you will not be allowed on a battlefield unless you have a full canteen. The smooth-side canteen is the preferred pattern, as it was used in far greater numbers than other designs.
Because of less frequent usage, avoid "bulls-eye" canteens. Additionally, avoid wooden canteens or other designs, as these were used mainly by Confederate troops.
Canteens are typically tin and are thus prone to rust. Some are lined with beeswax to help protect against rust, but these must be relined periodically. As an answer to the problem of rust, Many reenactors carry stainless steel canteens. They are more costly (about double the price) but eliminate the risk of drinking rusty water and metallic flakes. They don't look any different from the outside, but don't publicize your stainless steel canteen; "hardcore" reenactors see rusty water as part of the impression!
Canteens were (and remain) an essential part of the soldier's kit, but were not considered part of the uniform; thus, canteen cover colours varied greatly throughout the war. The demand for canteens during the war was huge, so companies contracted for their manufacturing used whatever jean cloth colours were available. Most reenactors use dark blue or sky blue canteen covers (some research suggests that these colours are over-portrayed by reenactors), but jean cloth covers in a variety of greys and browns were also carried.
Some manufacturers of reproduction canteens even stamp the spout of the canteen with an appropriate maker's mark from the period. You will also find canteen corks fastened by either chain or jute twine, depicting their place or origin. Lost canteens would have been replaced by any available on the field or issued, so most likely any early war smooth-sided canteen is acceptable for use.
Gaiters (Optional)
It is not necessary to purchase gaiters, although many reenactors wear them. They were more common at the beginning of the war, before soldiers discarded them as being too hot and bothersome. Some of our members have and wear them, but they are best considered an optional item.
White canvas gaiters and black, tarred gaiters are both available through sutlers. Ask other members about the buckles and straps found on gaiters.
Knapsack (Optional)
This is not considered an essential item for the new reenactor, but it adds greatly to the impression, either while on your back or while it sits on display in camp. It is an excellent way to carry modern items on-site without spoiling the impression, or to keep them out of sight while in camp. Some reenacting events, in order to reach a greater level of authenticity, ask that whatever you need for a weekend be carried with you on site. A knapsack is essential for such events.
Although most reenactors do not carry knapsacks into battle, some research suggests that keeping them with the soldier while in battle was more common than once thought. After all, the soldier had to carry everything he needed right with him.
A wide variety of knapsacks were used and are available through today's sutlers. The purchase of a soft-sided knapsack allows you to portray a soldier of any year of the war. Hard-sided knapsacks were issued later in the war. Ask another reenactor about knapsacks before you buy.
Poncho (Optional)
The gum rubber poncho is a friend to have on rainy days. Although originally issued only to the cavalry, they quickly found favour with infantrymen as well. Ponchos are available from most general sutlers.
Eyeglasses (Optional)
Photographic evidence shows that most Civil War soldiers did not wear glasses (spectacles). Many major reenactments and reenacting organizations frown on the use of modern eyewear, especially the use of sunglasses, and they certainly do detract from the overall nineteenth century impression.
While contact lenses are encouraged, period spectacles are available from selected vendors, and some optometrists are able to place modern prescription lenses into period frames.
The black, tarred haversack was used for carrying personal items, hardtack, and extra ammunition. They were made by a variety of manufacturers, so styles vary. It is worn on the left side, away from the cartridge box, though is usually not worn for dress occasions such as funerals. Most have an inner cloth bag held by buttons, which is removable for washing.
Look for an early-war pattern as made by an eastern contractor, as Co. H portrays the regiment as it was during the first two years of the war. Late war patterns (1864) would not have existed at Antietam or Gettysburg. Late war patterns feature stripes and buckles held by rivets instead of stitching.
Personal items, such as eating utensils, hardtack, playing card, money, and modern items may be safely and conveniently carried in a haversack.
Cartridge Box
The leather cartridge box is an essential piece of equipment and truly highlights the uniform. It is worn on the right hip, suspended by a strap worn across the left shoulder. The shoulder strap is adorned with a round, brass breastplate featuring the American Eagle. Cartridge boxes usually feature an oval US badge, similar to the buckle worn on the waist belt. Later in the war, some soldiers carried their cartridge box on their waist belt, eliminating the shoulder belt.
Most union reenactors attach the standard "US" oval brass cartridge box plate to their cartridge box. These are usually made available as a separate item.
You will require two ammunition tins to be placed in your cartridge box. Check to see if cartridge box tines are included with your cartridge box. They were designed to hold forty rounds of ammunition. These are sometimes sold separately, so be sure to inquire if they are included with the box.
Cartridge Box Strap and Plate
An essential piece of equipment, this wide, black leather shoulder strap is worn over the left shoulder and down on a diagonal to the right hip.
Most union infantrymen, attach a round, brass eagle plate to the cartridge box shoulder strap. Kept well-polished, this an eye-catching part of the uniform worn in the middle of the chest -- although Confederates sometimes saw this as a target.
Waist Belt and Buckle
You will need a waist belt with the regulation oval "US" brass buckle. The belt carries the cap pouch and bayonet scabbard, and also holds in place your cartridge box when properly worn over the cartridge box strap.
Be sure the buckle is oval and says "US" in the center. Rectangular belt buckles exist for NCOs, officers, cavalrymen, and others, but should not be worn by the infantry private.
Many belts come with a brass or leather "keeper", to keep the cap pouch from sliding toward the back of your belt. Ask the sutler if the keeper is included, is an extra cost, and ask if they will install it. Brass keepers were a mid-war introduction.
Cap Pouch
The cap pouch holds percussion caps at the ready at your right-front, and is attached to your waist belt. Cap pouches come in a variety of qualities; good ones include a wool lining inside the flap to keep the caps from falling out, and a nipple pick loop (and perhaps the pick itself) on the inside. Early-war varieties are best for our purposes.
Nipple Pick
The nipple pick is an essential piece of equipment for the firing of the rifle musket. It is small (and therefore may be easily lost), inexpensive, and may be purchased from most general sutlers. It is used to clear the black powder that may clog the nipple -- or cone -- on the rifle musket.
Check your percussion cap pouch. It should have a loop to hold a nipple pick, and may have a nipple pick already.
Reenactors frequently carry more than one nipple pick on their person.
Bayonet Scabbard
Several types are available, reproducing those originally made in England or the United States, and representing early-war or late-war patterns. You should be guided by looking for an early-war pattern.
A sample of a suitable bayonet scabbard may be found on the C & D Jarnagin online catalogue, item number 245. It is a two-rivet (early war) scabbard of a pattern from 1895. This was a scabbard made in the United States to fit the 1853 Enfield rifle musket.
Later-war patterns (1863) featured seven rivets for strength, but are not accurate for early war portrayals.
The preferred scabbard is angled so that the tip of the bayonet faces down and toward the back. Scabbards with frogs that hang straight down are available, but are generally not suitable for Union impressions.
Canteen
Many reenactment rules state that you will not be allowed on a battlefield unless you have a full canteen. The smooth-side canteen is the preferred pattern, as it was used in far greater numbers than other designs.
Because of less frequent usage, avoid "bulls-eye" canteens. Additionally, avoid wooden canteens or other designs, as these were used mainly by Confederate troops.
Canteens are typically tin and are thus prone to rust. Some are lined with beeswax to help protect against rust, but these must be relined periodically. As an answer to the problem of rust, Many reenactors carry stainless steel canteens. They are more costly (about double the price) but eliminate the risk of drinking rusty water and metallic flakes. They don't look any different from the outside, but don't publicize your stainless steel canteen; "hardcore" reenactors see rusty water as part of the impression!
Canteens were (and remain) an essential part of the soldier's kit, but were not considered part of the uniform; thus, canteen cover colours varied greatly throughout the war. The demand for canteens during the war was huge, so companies contracted for their manufacturing used whatever jean cloth colours were available. Most reenactors use dark blue or sky blue canteen covers (some research suggests that these colours are over-portrayed by reenactors), but jean cloth covers in a variety of greys and browns were also carried.
Some manufacturers of reproduction canteens even stamp the spout of the canteen with an appropriate maker's mark from the period. You will also find canteen corks fastened by either chain or jute twine, depicting their place or origin. Lost canteens would have been replaced by any available on the field or issued, so most likely any early war smooth-sided canteen is acceptable for use.
Gaiters (Optional)
It is not necessary to purchase gaiters, although many reenactors wear them. They were more common at the beginning of the war, before soldiers discarded them as being too hot and bothersome. Some of our members have and wear them, but they are best considered an optional item.
White canvas gaiters and black, tarred gaiters are both available through sutlers. Ask other members about the buckles and straps found on gaiters.
Knapsack (Optional)
This is not considered an essential item for the new reenactor, but it adds greatly to the impression, either while on your back or while it sits on display in camp. It is an excellent way to carry modern items on-site without spoiling the impression, or to keep them out of sight while in camp. Some reenacting events, in order to reach a greater level of authenticity, ask that whatever you need for a weekend be carried with you on site. A knapsack is essential for such events.
Although most reenactors do not carry knapsacks into battle, some research suggests that keeping them with the soldier while in battle was more common than once thought. After all, the soldier had to carry everything he needed right with him.
A wide variety of knapsacks were used and are available through today's sutlers. The purchase of a soft-sided knapsack allows you to portray a soldier of any year of the war. Hard-sided knapsacks were issued later in the war. Ask another reenactor about knapsacks before you buy.
Poncho (Optional)
The gum rubber poncho is a friend to have on rainy days. Although originally issued only to the cavalry, they quickly found favour with infantrymen as well. Ponchos are available from most general sutlers.
Eyeglasses (Optional)
Photographic evidence shows that most Civil War soldiers did not wear glasses (spectacles). Many major reenactments and reenacting organizations frown on the use of modern eyewear, especially the use of sunglasses, and they certainly do detract from the overall nineteenth century impression.
While contact lenses are encouraged, period spectacles are available from selected vendors, and some optometrists are able to place modern prescription lenses into period frames.