ANV uniform for 150th sharpsburg

[Busterbuttonboy]

The question which needs to be addressed is the context. Who, what and where. Travis hit the nail right on the head. Though all good answers It cannot be simply answered by looking just at photos or just reading a chapter in a book or just ageing a "type one" jacket. What is the merit to a modern typology anyhow? (thats rhetorical). When looking at the 4th Texas for example and really digging into the records for them we can see spotty issuance right after Seven Days to a bit of the brigade. But what? From who? These questions are only partially answered by primary resources. Did they have a chance to hit any stores after 2nd Manassas, probably not... So what they looked like takes detective work. Taking a bit from Tom's book, extant uniforms (or potentially extant verigated jean sleeves), reading returns, letters, looking at pictures and archaeological resources we can piece together a partial image. The 4th probably looked rough, there was probably little uniformity until their complete re-issuance at Fredericksburg later that year, probably a combination of enfields and older smoothbore guns, probably a combination of Texas/Georgia/private purchase and maybe even Richmond Depot made things. All the primary resources, even those often forgotten like archaeological records needs to get stirred together. Like a good pie based on experience and your tongue you probably have a good idea whats in it and its not until you read the recipe that the nutmeg becomes noticeable.

[lincolnsguard]

I'm confused?? All of the photos I find of the Confederate dead at Antietam, well, their uniforms seem to be in pretty good shape, and all have shoes.

Hep me.

[Forrestcavalryman]

READ MY BOOK-- "Cadet Gray and Butternut Brown"-- I cover Antietam in the book--

Tarky
Tom Arliskas

One of my favorites in my collection!

[Griebz]

I agree with Eli, that's why I brought this up.. Many pics of confederate dead show in tac uniforms .. With shoes. Even a knapsack . Also with 2nd manassas less then a month prior .. I can't see how federal trousers and equip wouldn't also show up in some quantity .

Peter Griebel

[AP Hill]

Check on the web site of the competing 150th Sharpsburg aka ' Maryland my Maryland ' for excellent insight on the appearance of the young Army of Northern Virginia during the Maryland campaign.

http://www.marylandmymaryland.org/re...e/#impressions

[Anders]

You mean the originial 150th event...

[Pvt Schnapps]

Schnapps's Rule #24: Filth is not intrinsically authentic.

Rule #26: Artificially soiled clothes are the moral equivalent of dead animal parts.

Translation: I think it's possible to overdo the filthiness factor. For one thing, I have uniform items that have gone years without cleaning and do not look materially dirtier than when I first acquired them. And this includes a few that have gone through a series of marching events and extended stays in less than pristine quarters. A little shaking and brushing at the end of the weekend usually does the trick. The only reason I've washed some was to get the salt out so they'd dry more quickly and not be quite so attractive to vermin.

On the other hand, if you're portraying a Confederate and you really wish to look like you marched to Sharpsburg then you might consider joining in the A. P. Hill March. I understand there are still some slots open.

[AP Hill]

Yes ! and Best !

[lincolnsguard]

A "filthy" story, or lack there of.

At a Burkittsville event, (Federal side), some years back, when on the march we hit a water station which was in a picked corn field. When the battalion was done filling canteens, behind the truck, the dry earth had turned to muckity-muck-muck, ie. mud. A few of the boys decided they needed to look like they were dirty from the long march to South Mountain, and proceeded to begin rolling in the mud. To their dismay, they looked no different when we arrived at Crampton's Gap, then they did before they rolled in the mud. The folks of 186x knew there was good reason to use wool for clothing and uniforms. On of which is wool sheds dirt naturally, more or less.

Your mileage may vary.

[S.D.Swart]

However, unlike the average reenactor, these men wore thier uniforms every day and night. Mine started out as grey, and I figured the time I spent in it, in the rain, mud, and sun, and it is no longer even close to it's original color. Everything has become a shade of browns. Wool might shed dirt, but the dirt will change it over time. Not to mention the grease and gun powder smears over time. I have gone through 4 pair of trousers so far over the years. I added it up in reenactment weekends and such and it did average 3 to 5 months of wear. Worn and dirty should be the AVERAGE appearance of Lee's men at Sharpsburg.