Artillery Cpl. Uniform help

[Artillery 1861]

Looking to make my impression a little better. I have the basic clothing part of the uniform down. Shell jacket w/ stripes, pants with correct stripe, etc. What I am looking for is did the NCO rank of Cpl have a side arm, saber or anything else I could add to my impression. Any help would be great. I've been at this a few years and want to get serious about my impression after what I saw at the Super Farb fest that was the artillery Camp at the 148th Gettysburg this past weekend. But that is a different topic all together.:twisted: Just looking for help to up my "reality" a bit.

[dixieflyer]

Hi Rob! First, let's start in the center and work outwards:

- Are there any original diaries or letters of the battery that you portray that you can access. Reading these might give you an idea of ways you can improve this impression.
- Barring the above, I would search out diaries, journals, letters, etc. both published, and unpublished. Again, reading these can yield a lot of information. (Caveat: some primary sources such as this can vary greatly in quality from one to another. Labor intensive? Yes! However, there is just no substitute for ground-pounding research.)
- Examine contemporary images of Federal artillerymen, but keep in mind the context in which these images were made. Are they in winter quarters? On campaign? Early, mid, or late war? What theater?

I think you get my drift, and I doubt that there is a one size fits most answer for you.

Warren Dickinson
Wannabe artilleryman from a long time ago

[michael.shafto]

Sir,

Research your unit's equipment returns and see what they carried. That will be the best place to see what was on hand. If you are going for a generic artillery NCO, the best impressions I have seen have not added to but taken away from the equipment they carried. An artilleryman's prime duty was to service the piece. The sabers are probably best left to the cavalry and the sidearm to the drivers to put down wounded horses. Sadly, artillery and cavalry are rather famous (or infamous) for our well equipped camps and excessive equipment. Being a cavalryman myself, I know I have been guilty of this on many occasions. When I started I carried multiple pistols, spare cylinders, etc. After being around the hobby for a bit, I toned way down and it has been very rewarding (I dont have to lug all that junk and then try to keep track of it). Maybe instead of a pistol or saber you could find an accurate pendulum hausse (please forgive my spelling) or some other unique piece of artillery memoribilia specific to a gunner. As a corporal, I can think of no finer investment than a good pocket watch. Hope this helps!

[3rdUSRedleg]

Looking to make my impression a little better. I have the basic clothing part of the uniform down. Shell jacket w/ stripes, pants with correct stripe, etc. What I am looking for is did the NCO rank of Cpl have a side arm, saber or anything else I could add to my impression. Any help would be great. I've been at this a few years and want to get serious about my impression after what I saw at the Super Farb fest that was the artillery Camp at the 148th Gettysburg this past weekend. But that is a different topic all together.:twisted: Just looking for help to up my "reality" a bit.

Thanks for the compliment.
A good start would be for you not to bring all the wall tents.

[Artyman]

Less is better. Especially for a corporal. At least with Yankee Artillery you actually have some regulations and good enough supply to keep them current. Reb Artillery though ain't so lucky and it creates a feeling that "anything and everything goes". Well, it shouldn't.

You guys are all right about the tents. Wouldn't be quite as bad if they pitched 'em and furnished 'em correctly, but my gawd! How many rip sawed 2x4 tent poles can you count Johnnie?

Harry

[Spinster]

How many rip sawed 2x4 tent poles can you count Johnnie?

Harry

About 90% of em are utterly clueless that those poles are wrong Harry. The rest are just lazy.

How about a little write up on how to make those poles correctly?

And dont leave out any details. I'm still living with a few sapling poles that I told MyDaddy I wanted. I did not tell him that putting stainless steel pins in the top was not exactly what I had in mind.............:???:

[captdougofky]

Less is better. Especially for a corporal. At least with Yankee Artillery you actually have some regulations and good enough supply to keep them current. Reb Artillery though ain't so lucky and it creates a feeling that "anything and everything goes". Well, it shouldn't.

You guys are all right about the tents. Wouldn't be quite as bad if they pitched 'em and furnished 'em correctly, but my gawd! How many rip sawed 2x4 tent poles can you count Johnnie?

Harry


Harry

My years in the Hobby, Artillery Camp and the folks in it are more family friendly. Women folk have a way of having more influence on camping style than the men. In recent times a CPH/Progressive civilian camp promoted by Mrs. Lawson and others is fine for individuals that want to take that approach. For many wifes and others they want to stay in Camp with their husbands. Throw children in the mix, a wall tent is the choice most people make. I now don't need the wall tent I used for years, but when my daughter was young that's the route I took. She's now in College and at times when I'm sleeping on the ground (Twin Rivers) I miss the wall tent days. As far as the correct poles, it's ones choice to make. Besides it gives us something to talk about on the forum.

Always
Doug Thomas
Lyons-Kentucky CS

[Artillery 1861]

The reference to the super farb camp was in no reflection an overall judgement. I am sorry if it came off as that. 90% of the camp was in order. The other 10% was what I was referring too.. I am in no way or shape a hardcore campaigner. But I do keep every bit of modern equipment hidden away all weekend. Whether the public is there or not.

As for the wall tents our unit is a family unit. That means children and wives come to every event. I can see no other way to accomplish this besides the wall tent. I don't think one should be asked to seperate from thier family at an event or try to stuff children, wives and all that comes with that in a small A tent. If someone would kindly explain the poles I know I would be willing to change what I have. But saying I am doing it wrong and then not offering any explanation as to how I can make it better is really pointless.

[hanktrent]

As for the wall tents our unit is a family unit. That means children and wives come to every event. I can see no other way to accomplish this besides the wall tent. I don't think one should be asked to seperate from thier family at an event or try to stuff children, wives and all that comes with that in a small A tent.

At campaign events where women or children are among refugees turned from their homes, they camp without any more than they can carry on their backs. I and/or my wife have been among groups like that many times.

Now, I understand that it would seem silly to have women camping like that among the artillery at a "family friendly" artillery camp. But the presence of wall tents isn't required simply because women attend an event; women and children have solved the problem of how to camp without wall tents and could give a description of how it's done if wanted.

Hank Trent
hanktrent@gmail.com

[FloridaHoosier]

Moderator note: The original poster is asking about the uniform of an artillery corporal, not tentage (as he mentioned that is another topic altogether). Please refrain from the tentage commentary or start a new thread.

[FloridaHoosier]

This thread is being locked at the request of the original poster