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The following is a list of the dress and equipment regulations, which are required for membershipin Company H, 2nd Virginia
Volunteer Infantry Regiment.The standards of authentic dress, equipment, camp life, and drill are unapologetically high in
order to to achieve our mission statement. The unit was born from the desire of some members of the Blue & Grey Re-enactors
Inc. to take authenticity and research to a new level. The unit has recently separated itself from the B&G and formed
the only single-unit-portrayal Confederate Infantry unit in Victoria, Australia. Please think about joining the group but
consider first that it will be expensive. If you want to come into the 2nd VA on "the cheap", you may want to re-think
whether you really want to join. With a correct hat priced at C A$190.00 and a jean wool jacket at C A$350.00, you really
need to consider how committed you are to become and remaina member.If however, you want to be part of this Living History
Group we wouldd love to have you. Get your gear together and fall in soldier!
Hats .
Most Preferred:
A period appropriate soft wool or felt slouch hat with hatband and ribbon edging around the brim. The colour is to be
Black, Dark brown or Tan. Period style linings are strongly encouraged.
Acceptable:
Authentic Kepi in either Wool/Cotton Jean or wool. Kepis should be of a Mid Grey colour. They can be left without trim
(most common) or may have a band ofblack or blue trim.
1860s style peaked mechanics hat in either wool or jean.
Very limited numbers of Federal issue Forage Caps or kepis.
Unacceptable:
Cowboy Hats; Hillbilly style hats, Converted Akubra or other Rabbit fur hats Hat brass, plumes or other dead animal parts
as decoration
Mexican War hats (except for Early War Impression)
Jackets
Most Preferred:
Enlisted Men- Richmond Depot Jacket Type II made from Grey or Brown Jean material with either Federal Eagle, Confederate
wooden dish, or block (either Confederate or English type) buttons or a mixture of any or all of these types.
Jackets may be made either with or without shoulder straps and/or belt loops. Jackets should preferably be left without
trim or facings but limited numbers of trimmed jackets are acceptable.
Early War - Approved Frock Coats or Overshirt/Battleshirt
Late War - Peter Tait Jacket in Blue Grey Kersey.
Officers - Richmond Depot Type II, or Jean frock coat as per enlisted men but with optional blue trim and applicable collar
rank insignia. No Austrian knots (Chicken Guts). Officers Jackets should have Federal Eagle, VA State, or English block buttons.
Acceptable for Enlisted Men - Columbus or Western Depot Jacket in Grey or Brown Wool Jean or Cotton/Linen Jean with buttons
as per Richmond Depot Jackets.
Jean Commutation; era Jackets are acceptable.
Late War - Richmond Type 3 in Blue Grey Kersey. Officers- Woollen frock coat as per Confederate regulations with Austrian
knots, infantry trims and collar insignia. (Supplied from a US sutler).
Unacceptable:
Generic Shell Jackets, Sack Coats or Frock Coats. No suit wool or blanket material jackets of any kind. Basically all
jackets need to be of Jean material. No Artillery or Cavalry trim.Rank Insignia- NCOs are not to wear rank insignia of any
kind.
Trousers Most Preferred:
Grey or Brown Jean Richmond or Columbus Depot infantry trousers with period correct suspenders.
Acceptable:
Sky Blue Federal issue infantry trousers in kersey wool with period correct suspenders or Civilian or generic grey or
brown wool trousers with period correct suspenders.
Unacceptable:
Cotton trousers, modern jeans, or gardening trousers. Shirts, Vests, and Drawers
Preferred:Shirts - Period correct civilian cotton shirt with period correct bone, shell, pewter, glass ortin buttons.
Federal issue wool flannel shirt in size 52 Civilian type overshirts (battleshirts) cotton/flannel for early War look.Vests
(optional) - Period correct wool vest with brushed cotton; adjustable back and applicable buttons.
Drawers (optional) - Cotton white drawers with drawstring waits and leg cuffs.No red Grandpa type Long Johns.
Foot Wear
Prefered Confederate, Federal or Jefferson type Brogans with leather sole (stitched or pegged), with or without heel or toe
plates. All shoes should have leather laces.
Acceptable: As above
Unacceptable:
Blundstone style boots whether converted or not, Army boots with or without leather soles, or any shoe or boot with eyelets
or synthetic soles. Converted Desert boots;English Bootees run through the blockade (Minimum acceptable standard). All shoes
should have leather laces.
Socks
Hand knitted wool or wool/cotton mix. No footy socks.
Accoutrements
Belts and Buckles:
Frame, roller and forked tongue buckles are preferred however a limited number of rectangular oval or British & snake
buckles are acceptable. Belts can be black or brown leather with or without keepers.
Cartridge Boxes may be black or russet leather .69 Cal of M1842 pattern is preferred however black or brown M1855 .58 cartridge
boxes are also fine. No Brass box plates Black or russet leather or black painted linen cartridge box slings may be used or
the box may be suspended directly from the belt. No breast eagles or other plates.
Cap Pouches may be black or brown Federal or Confederate
Canteens
Confederate issue Tin Drum, leather covered glass, Gardner pattern wooden barrel1 or Federal issue Disc or Bullseye canteens
are all acceptable. If Federal canteens are used they should be covered in cheap grey or light brown blanket or jean wool
material (like original Federal canteens). No dark or sky blue covers are to be used. Canteen straps should be cut and re-sewn
so that they ride either on or higher than the hip.
Haversacks and Knapsacks
Federal issued Meechum; style tarred (Painted black) roller buckle closer. Confederate/Homespun canvas or heavy cotton
with roller buckle or wood/pewter button closer.Haversacks should have a 3-inch gusset, as you'll need to carry you whole
life as well as 3 days rations in them. The shoulder strap should be at least 3 inches wide as they get heavy and you want
to put the weight evenly over your shoulder. A Confederate or Federal issued knapsack (optional)
Other Essential Items
Home made oilcloth (Japara type material or treated cotton) with hand-sewn eyelets or a Goodyear pattern Federal groundsheet.
A Federal issue Shelter tent or half or same.
A 100% wool grey or brown civilian blanket or a federal issued wool blanket
Lightweight cotton quilt/comforter
An authentic tin (not stainless steel) plate, large coffee cup or boiler.
Appropriate knife and fork (bone or wood handle.
Soldiers tool for your musket
Rag and oil for your musket
Smoking and Tobacco
If you smoke or indulge in tobacco products you'll need to adhere strictly to the following guidelines.
Most preferred:
A period appropriate pipe such as meerschaum or corncob style constructed of period appropriate materials or Chewing tobacco
such as Copenhagen in a period appropriate tin or bag or cut from a plug
Acceptable: Cigars although these were rare and expensive and would probably only have been smoked (generally) by officers
and are acceptable, but discouraged during daylight hours. There is someevidence that the smoking of cigarettes (very different
in construction from the modern variety) was slowly becoming fashionable in Northern State cities. Not just with Women but
also with Men. It is believed that some Union soldiers truly favoured the new fashion and that some captured supplies were
indulged in by Confederate troops. The Company we portray was essentially rural in its makeup and cigarette smoking would
have been a very rare novelty among members of the Company. Research is continuing on the use and distribution of Cigarettes
amongthe Stonewall Brigade and until more evidence is found, the use by the Company memberswill be avoided.
Unacceptable:
Tailor Made" or roll your own cigarettes of any kind.
Eyewear
If you wear glasses they need to be in period appropriate frames. This eyewear rule is not to override any safety recommendations
when live or blank firing
Weapons
Most preferred for enlisted men:
1853 Enfield rifle-musket in very good working order with a bayonet and frog to suit your weapon. Your musket must have
CS linen or US leather sling. Acceptable:Other smoothbore or rifled 3 banded muskets appropriate to the ANV. CS or US sling
is a must.
Unacceptable:
Short rifles, two banders, carbines, Kentucky rifles, shotguns, pistols or any kind, swords, big knives such as Bowie
knives or Arkansas toothpicks
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