Sally Port Mess Uniform and Equipment Standards
Recommend Equipment Vendors List
These guidelines are to create a more uniform and authentic appearance in our ranks. Details are included to help a member make smart purchases which meet the group’s standards. However, this is not to be used as a singular and conclusive research guide. The equipment list has a list of recommended vendors where these items should be purchased from.
All of our clothing and equipment should be of period sewing techniques, made from correct materials and the correct patterns.
A High, Medium, Low, Very Low is next to each item. This is a guide to help new members with what order to purchase their gear. High items are essential to a base impression and/or difficult to borrow, Medium items are essential items in a kit but can easily be borrowed, Low items are good to have but not always needed or another option exists, Very Low items are extras that are not required.
Sack Coat (Fatigue Blouse)-High
All coats should be made of medium to dark blue wool flannel with a visible grain to it. Material that may fade to a shade of purple are not acceptable. The sack coat may be lined or unlined. Lining should be a lightweight flannel, jean or maybe a linen material throughout the body. The sleeves will be lined with cotton muslin. Unlined coats will be proper construction with the all of the seams flat felled. All sack coats will have four US Eagle ¾” buttons with hand sewn button holes.
Trousers-High
The material will be sky blue kersey wool. Properly constructed trousers will have a high cut to them. They should ride at least at the natural waist which is at a person’s belly button. The back of the trousers will ride several inches higher then the front of the waistband. Buttons will all be paper backed tin. All button holes are to be hand sewn.
Braces-Medium
There are many different styles of braces or suspenders to choose from. They range from having leather ends with buckles to being all cloth. They must be constructed of period materials with the buckles not being any type of nickel plated material. Braces using elastic are allowed when correct materials and patterns are used. It is recommended that these only be purchased from one of the approved merchants for this item. A member may also choose to utilize a period style civilian belt in place of suspenders. All button holes are to be hand sewn.
Forage Cap-Medium
There are two different styles of forage caps available, Type I and Type II. A prominent differentiating feature is the disc on a Type I is smaller in diameter then the Type II. There are other defining features which will not be discussed here. The cap should be made from fine woven dark blue plain weave wool. Leather parts of the cap will be painted black and the inner liner should be black or brown polished cotton. The two small buttons will be US eagle style. The brim will be kept straight and ornamentation should be kept to a very small minimum. Company letters, regimental numbers and corps badges are acceptable when they match the given scenario. Otherwise, plain and unadorned headgear is preferred. Be advised that these specifics could and will change from event to event. Havelocks are not allowed in the ranks of the Sally Port Mess unless strong documentation of the scenario supports their use.
1858 Dress Hat-High
We find that with our primary focus being on the western soldier we wear a plain dress hat most often. This is why it is given a high rating. This hat will be constructed from black medium weight wool felt. The approximate dimensions are: crown 5-3/4” high, brim 3-1/4” wide. There should be two lines of stitching around the outer edge of the brim which cross along with a black ribbon band around the base of the crown. The inside will have a leather sweatband with a paper glazed backing on the underside of the crown. As with the forage cap ornamentation should be kept at a low minimum with a preference to none.
Civilian hats are not preferred but acceptable. They must be of period construction and material. They should not have any insignia or hat cords. Shapeless and floppy hats are not allowed.
Shirt-Medium
There are many options available for shirts. Preference should be given to the issue shirt. Federal issue shirts can be of the domet flannel type or another contractor variant. The domet flannel issue shirt will only have three tin buttons and made from an off white type wool. Most contact type issue shirts will have 4-5 buttons of a tin variety. The color of wool could be dark blue, gray or even red. All button holes are to be hand sewn.
A civilian style shirt of correct material and pattern is also acceptable. Shirts should have bone, glass, tin, porcelain, or mother-of-pearl buttons. The material must be of a pattern type material and not a print type material. It must also be of complete natural fibers. All button holes are to be hand sewn.
Under Drawers-Low
There is again the choice between issue drawers and civilian drawers. Issue drawers will be made from canton flannel with tin buttons and ties at the cuffs. Civilian drawers can vary in material and pattern but all must be correct to the period. All button holes are to be hand sewn on either type.
Footwear-High
The military issued leather bootees to the soldiers. These shoes will have a squared toe and could have stitched or wood pegged soles. The outside should be made smooth even though the smooth side of the leather is to the inside of the shoe. Heal plates, toe plates and/or hobnails are all suggested ways to prolong the life of your footwear. The hobnails should be of period pattern.
Socks-Medium
Socks should generally be hand knit wool or cotton. There should be no elastic. Sutler row quality rag wool gray socks are to be avoided.
Great Coat-Very Low
The overcoat will be of the foot pattern. It will be made from a sky blue kersey wool. Like a sack coat it will have muslin lining in the sleeves and a light weight wool or flannel body lining. The buttons will be of the US eagle type with nine on the cape, five down the front and two on the rear adjustment strap. Button holes should also be hand sewn.
Great coats were in storage from around April to September so they will not be needed for most impressions or scenarios.
Vest-Very Low
Vests were not issued to the soldiers so they would have been a privately purchased item. If a vest is worn is can be a military style or civilian style vest. Period correct patterns, materials and construction are a must along with hand sewn button holes.
Haversack-Medium
The haversack will be constructed of black painted cotton drill with a inner cotton bag which is removable. The leather closure strap should be black and riveted or stitched in place. The buckle can be japanned or painted black steel. Nickel and stainless steel are not allowed. The size can range from 12-14 inches tall and 12-13 inches wide.
Food should be stored in the haversack with poke sacks (small cotton bags), paper or fabric. Plastic and tinfoil are to be avoided.
The haversack will carry food and food related items. Any personal items will be stored elsewhere such as in a knapsack.
Canteen-Medium
There are many options available with a canteen. The following is what the Sally Port Mess has chosen a preference for. This is a smooth side canteen with a gray or brown jean cover. Sky blue is acceptable but not preferred. The cork stopper should be attached to the canteen with twine. The strap can be either cotton drill or russet brown leather. It is encouraged that leather straps only be used for impressions earlier then the first half of 1863.
Stainless steel canteens are not preferred and are only acceptable when the spout is made of tin or pewter and no stainless steel is visible.
Cartridge Box and Sling-High
A M1861 cartridge box for .58 caliber rifles is preferred. All cartridge boxes are to have cartridge tins. The US plate is to be attached to the center of the outer flap using a leather tie or wedge.
The sling will be 55” long with two billets. The eagle breastplate will be attached by bending the loops over on the inside of the sling. The sling is to be adjusted so the cartridge box will be at or above the hip riding on the right of the lower back. Look at period photos for a reference if needed. This allows easier movement and comfort as the box is not banging around.
Cap Box-High
The cap box is to be made of black leather with an inner flap, cone pick loop, and sheep-skin wool 1-1/2” wide glued and sewn into place.
Waist Belt and Buckle-High
There are two versions of the black dyed Federal issue waist belt. The first has a standing leather loop keeper. The second has a brass keeper which was introduced at the end of 1863. Standing leather loops would be the rule before this time. If at all possible a member should have both belts for versatility. A preference is given to the standing leather loop first.
The brass belt buckle or plate is to be lead filled and read US. Arrow head or puppy paw attachment studs are correct. However, puppy paw should go with the leather loop belt and the arrow head with the brass keeper belt.
Bayonet Scabbard-Medium
A two rivet scabbard is preferred over the seven rivet or all sewn type. The all sewn type was replaced by the two rivet before the war started and the seven rivet was not being produced until 1863. All bayonet scabbards are to have a brass tip for safety.
Bayonet-High
The bayonet must be appropriate for the weapon, fit the weapon well and fit securely in the scabbard. If at all possible an original bayonet should be procured. Reproductions are much softer steel then originals. Members will enjoy a much more versatile piece of equipment with an original. If a reproduction is used modern stampings, such as India, must be filed and sanded off.
Blanket-Medium
Issue blankets will be brown or gray wool with end stripes 4-6 inches from the edges. US will be sewn into the center of the blanket. The weight should be around 5 pounds and roughly 65” in width by 80” in length.
Ground Cloth-Medium
There are two options here as well. The preference is a Federal issue rubber blanket or gum blanket. The material is a light weight rubber coated cotton drill material. The brass grommets should be 3/8” in diameter. Their spacing should be equal around three of the sides. On the fourth side there should be extra brass grommets to allow the blanket to be tied around the neck.
An oilcloth or painted blanket is a secondary option. Ponchos are discouraged.
Shelter Half- Very Low
One half will be carried by each man. It will be made from cotton duck or cotton drill material.
The buttons can be either bone or tin with a preference for bone. The shelter half will have hand sewn grommets and not brass with rope loops through the holes. All button holes will also be hand sewn. A two or three panel is acceptable with a preference to the three panel variation.
Tent poles should be from tree limbs found around the bivouac area. Two piece wooden tent poles as shown in the book The Federal Civil War Shelter Tent are acceptable in limited number and when the above option is difficult to achieve. Tent stakes are to be of wood only.
Knapsack-Low
A strong preference is given to the Federal issue double bag knapsack. It will be black painted cotton drilling with black dyed leather. The buckles are not to be nickel plated or stainless steal. The hooks will be made of brass.
Blanket rolls are acceptable in place of a knapsack which is why this item has a low rating.
Knapsacks or blanket rolls should be worn on marches and during battles unless the scenario dictates otherwise.
Knapsacks should be packed light enough where wearing one the majority of a day is not an issue.
Rifle-High
The 1861 Springfield Rifle Musket in .58 caliber is the preferred weapon for members. Any modern marking should be removed from the weapon. All rifles must have a functioning half cock. Any unsafe or unclean weapons will not be allowed to be used by members due to safety concerns. If a member does not take care of his weapon and it is deemed unsafe by other members it will not be allowed to be fired.
Rifle Sling-Very Low
Members may choose to add a sling or strap to their rifles to ease in carrying. This item should be made from russet leather with a length of 46” and a width around 1”.
Mess Equipment-High
There are many options for a soldier in this area. In general the best solutions are compact, lightweight, multipurpose and easily stored in a haversack. All that is needed is a boiler/cup, eating utensils and some type of frying pan. The boiler or cup will be made from tin. A mucket with a lid is discouraged from use. A stamped steel fry pan (without aluminum handle and cast iron should be avoided), canteen half or tin plate are all options. If a plate or canteen half are used a split branch or fork can make a good handle. A member’s knife, fork and spoon can be of period civilian type with bone or wood handles. A privately purchased knife/fork/spoon combination tool is also acceptable.
All stainless steel, speckled or other modern mess equipment is not acceptable for use.
Additional Information and Standards
Food
Appropriate foods to the period and the scenario should be all that is eaten. Issue rations which most often included salt pork or beef, hardbread, coffee and sugar should be the primary campaign diet. Slab bacon may be substituted for salt pork. Additional items such as beans, rice, desiccated vegetables, ect are also acceptable in many situations. Soft bread is appropriate in scenarios where it would be available. Purchased (from the regimental sutler) and foraged items could also be acceptable but attention should be given to the time of year, location, ect of the impression.
Food as mentioned in the haversack area should be in poke sacks (small cotton bags), paper or fabric. Plastic and tinfoil are to be avoided. Coolers are not to be used.
Ammunition
Each cartridge will be made from proper materials and properly constructed with 60 grains of FF or FFF black powder. The cartridges will be bundled in packs of ten with 12 caps in a separate tube. These bundles will be wrapped in brown light weight masking paper and tied with a string. Cartridge packs should generally not have labels affixed to them. Members are to have at least 40 rounds in their box and enough caps for these rounds at every event unless the scenario or property dictates otherwise.
Camp Furniture
Folding stools, folding chairs, lanterns, and other similar items are all much too large for a soldier to bring with him on a march. Members will not be allowed to bring these types of items into camp. Hay bays will also not be utilized as modern hay bales are incorrect for the period. Hay bales in the 19th century were large and weighed hundreds of pounds.
Eyewear
The wearing of contact lenses would be best. If this is not possible and glasses must be worn they will need to be of period correct style. The lenses should be on the smaller side and round or rectangular. The bows should not wrap or hook around the ear.
Smoking
If a member smokes it is strongly encouraged to smoke a pipe instead of cigarettes. Cheap clay pipes are available from a number of merchants and were prevalent in the ranks.
Drinking
Drunkenness and excessive drinking will not be tolerated. This was strictly regulated and enforced in most regiments with strict punishments. If you so choose to drink it shall never be done in the ranks or in view of the public. Alcohol is to be in period containers at all times.
Medication
Modern medication will be hidden in period appropriate container such as a poke sack.
Watches
Wristwatches are not permitted. If a watch is needed a period looking pocket watch is acceptable. Any modern etching, pictures, stamping or relief on the watch is not allowed
Women
As in the Civil War women will not be allowed to serve in the ranks as members of the Sally Port Mess.
Resources
Columbia Rifles Research Compendium 2nd Edition
For Fatigue Purposes by Patrick Brown
Echoes of Glory: Arms and Equipment of the Union
The Federal Civil War Shelter Tent by Frederick Gaede