Event Guidelines

The garrison at Ft. McAllister was equipped fairly well in early 1864. The men were issued clothing and equipment from Savannah, Charleston, Wilmington, Macon, Milledgeville, and Augusta. Most documents state that the enlisted were clad in jackets. The following set of equipment and uniform guidelines have been chosen to best replicate the appearance of the garrison. At the same time the list is wide enough to allow living historians to have an equipment selection that is attainable. All items must be properly constructed to the specifications of the original items of the Civil War era. Since this is an extended event having 3 to 4 shirts, extra drawers, extra socks is highly recommended. The items listed are in order of preference.

Headgear:
1) Kepi of blue/gray English kersey cloth
2) Kepi of gray or variations of gray made from wool or jean wool cloth
3) Kepi of painted canvas material, coloring of blue, gray, or black
(When not on duty (guard, fatigue, parade, etc) a civilian slouch hat or camp hat is acceptable)

Jackets:
1) Jacket of blue/gray kersey such as a Peter Tait jacket, Charleston Depot, or Richmond Depot type 2 or 3
2) Jacket of gray or shades of gray such as a Milledgeville, Augusta, Richmond Type 2 or 3
3) Jacket of gray or shades of gray that is “non descript” in nature
4) Frock Coat of gray or shades of gray made from wool or jean wool
(Please no Dept of Alabama, Columbus, early war, or elaborately trimmed jackets)

Shirts:
1) Confederate Issue
2) English Import
3) Civilian Pattern (wool, linen, osnaburg, cotton, etc)

Trousers:
1) Blue/Gray English Cloth
2) Confederate Issue in shades of gray or brown wool or jean wool
3) Civilian Pattern in gray, shades of gray, blue/gray, brown, or black wool or jean wool
(No outlandish civilian patterns of stripes, checks, etc)

Drawers:
1) Confederate Issue
2) Civilian Issue

Footwear:
1) English Import “Blucher Shoes”
2) Confederate Manufacture
3) Civilian Shoe
4) Civilian Boot (calf height, we aren’t portraying cavalry)
5) Federal Issue (last choice if one of the above cannot be obtained)

Socks:
1) Confederate Issue
2) Civilian
(Having multiple pairs of socks is highly encourage)

Accouterments:

Belts:
1) English Import “snake buckle”
2) Deep South Depot (Atlanta, Macon, Augusta, etc)
3) Fork Tongue/Georgia Frame
4) Roller Buckle

Cap Pouch:
1) English Import
2) Deep South Depot (Atlanta, Macon, Augusta, etc)

Cartridge Box:
1) English Import
2) Deep South Depot (Atlanta, Macon, Augusta, etc)

Bayonet Scabbard:
1) English Import
2) Deep South Depot (Atlanta, Macon, Augusta, etc)

If a participant cannot attain an item listed above Federal accouterments without US markings or stamps will be allowed as a LAST CHOICE

Haversacks:
1) Confederate Issue, white/off white canvas
2) Confederate Issue, tarred canvas
A Confederate Issue haversack is simple to make or cheap to buy. No Federal haversacks period. A participant should make every effort to attain these.

Canteens:
1) Confederate Issue Tin Drum Canteen
2) Confederate Issue Wooden Canteen
No Federal Smoothside or Federal Bullseye Canteens allows. Confederate Tin Drum Canteens are relatively inexpensive to purchase. A participant should make every effort to attain these.

Blankets:
1) English Import
2) Confederate Issue
3) Civilian Issue
It is usually windy and gets cold during the winter months so bringing multiple blankets is highly encouraged. The extras can be stored in tents. The event staff having participated at multiple Ft. McAllister events will allow Federal Army Blankets as extras as long as they are kept in the tents.

Knapsack:
1) English Import
2) Confederate Single Bag
3) Confederate Mexican War Patten Soft Pack
4) Militia Style Hard and Soft Packs (no elaborate designs painted on these please)
Although this is a garrison event, being participant on picket post away from the garrison will more than likely need a knapsack.

Water Proofs:
1) Confederate Issued Ground Cloth/Oil Cloth, painted canvas or unpainted canvas
2) Civilian Floor Cloths with period patterns
The event is near the coast so it might rain. Having a period water proof is mandatory at the event. If a participant cannot attain the water proofs listed above a Federal Issue Rubber Blanket will be acceptable. Federal Issue ponchos however are NOT acceptable for this event.

Weapons:
1) 1853 Pattern Enfield Rifle Musket
2) 1855 Pattern Springfield Rifle Musket (Republican Blues were armed with this weapon)

Tentage:
Common A Frame Tents. These will be housing 3 to 4 men ideally at the event. With a 100 enlisted men maximum 25 to 33 A Frame Tents will be the number needed at the event. Basically if you have an A Frame tent then this is a great chance to use it!
Having a mattress tick is encouraged at the event. These can be made of canvas, cotton ticking, etc.

Camp Furniture: Guarding Savannah is a garrison style event so having appropriate “heavy camping” items is encouraged at the event. Period style chairs, tables, book shelves, crates, boxes, etc are welcome. Period books, games, writing materials musical instruments, etc are welcome as well. It almost goes without saying that personal items such as tooth brushes, combs, sewing kits should be brought as well.