Uniform guidelines for Co. A impression
An impression such as that of Co. A, 11th Mississippi Infantry, espeacialy for First Manassas, is hard to pin-point. First off, there are the students who originaly made up the company. As noted in the history of the University Greys, the company was formed early in 1861 - before the war started. These students, as shown by their photos, wore a very militia style uniform. This, no doubt, is the uniform that these students went off to war wearing in 1861. However, in May, when it became obvious that these students were going to be called upon to defend the Confederacy, and may see real combat, about half of the company was dischared because of their age. So from the time of May until the battle of First Manassas, the ranks of the company were being filled by either students who enlisted later, or non-students from around Mississippi, or Virginia. From evidence in photos and sources, it seems to be that those students who enlisted after the company left for the front were unable to acquire the pre-war uniform that their earlier classmates wore. By the few photos of University Grey students not in pre-war uniforms, it seems that they either wore plain frocks and trousers with no trim, or they wore civilian clothing. As mentioned in the uniform summary, the state of Mississippi did very little in the way of clothing it's troops. Mississippi did nothing but give it's soldiers a weapon and equipment, clothing, early in the war, was up to the soldier. This same principle would apply to those non-students who enlisted in the company, as well. For a farmer, clerk, mechanic, etc., the uniform that they would have had would have been made for them by either family or an aid society. By looking at photos of early war Mississippians, some soldiers had no uniforms at all, just civilian clothes. But, it also seems that eventhough these soldiers were unable to have any sort of "uniform", they were still able to sometimes have a military cap. The photo of Thomas McKie is a good example of this. He was a student who enlisted after his fellow classmates had gone to Virginia, and he is photographed wearing civilian clothes, but with either a forage cap or kepi. Again, the photo of John LeRoy Williams shows him wearing civilian clothes, but with a kepi. So the uniform for a non-student, or late enlisted student, is basicly a judgement call on the participant. However, if you are around the age of a student, or at least look like you could be, please take the initiative of having the pre-war militia uniform of the Greys. It would not look right to have a company portraying the University Greys at Manassas and only have two people in pre-war uniforms while everyone else is wearing odd civilian made uniforms.
Uniform requirements for those portraying students:
Coat:
Light to medium grey frock coat made of either jean or cassimere with black 3" cuffs and collar. Black wool trim accross the front ending with a button. Buttons on coats should be either Federal, or any other kind of brass button that would have been available at that time. No Mississippi state buttons, they are questionable for being available at this time. If anyone has information that tells otherwise, please let me know. If you can find black dress epaulets, please wear them.
Trousers:
Light to medium made of either jean or cassimere with 1" black stripe down each leg. Correct period cut and style required.
Hat:
Light to medium grey jean kepi with black band around the bottom. Or, black dress hat with one side pined up. You may wear a tricorn if you want, but there is no photographic evidence to support students in the University Greys wearing tricorns (although the Greys adopted the tricorn as their official hat). Tricorns do not need to be black, state regulations only called for a wide brimed hat looped up on three sides.
Vest:
This is up to the participant, they are not required. If a vest is worn, make sure that it is made of correct material and cut. You may have either a matching military vest or civilian.
Shirts:
Any kind of civilian shirt made from a correct pattern and material is acceptable.
Fatigue Shirt:
The state of Mississippi called for it's soldiers to wear a red flannel fatigue shirt, and there is evidence that the University Greys wore them. One account has a student writing home to his parents asking them to send him a new red flannel shirt, because Capt. Lowery had taken the one he had. But, any kind of wool, or flannel overshirt/fatigue shirt will be accepted.
Socks:
Period style and color.
Shoes:
Any correct civilian or military shoe, or boot, will be accepted.
Underwear:
If worn, must be of correct style and material. No Federal issue.
Uniform requirements for those portraying students who enlisted after May 4th.
Coat:
Frock coat made from correct period material. You may want to go with grey, but you may have the liberty of wearing another color. But, remember, these boys saw the uniforms that their classmates had, so they probably would have wanted a similar uniform. You do not need the trim as with the pre-war uniforms, but there is evidence that those who did not have the trim on their coats, as the others, wanted to have it. You may even have a coat with half the trim (to look as if you are trying to have a correct coat, such as having black cuffs and collar, but without the tape accross the body, etc.). You may also wear a homemade coat. This can be any kind of shape or color, but be reasonable. Also, civilian frock and sack coats will work, too. Make sure that they are of correct style and material. There were many different syles of frock and sacks, and most reproductions of these two types of civilian coat are incorrect.
Trousers:
If you are attempting to have a military look, try to have same color and material pants as your frock. You may do without the stripe down the pants, but as mentioned with the coat, many students wanted to look like the others if they didn't already. Correct civilian pants may be worn if not wearing a military frock. Make sure that the cut and material of civilian pants are correct. Basicly all sutler row civilian pants are wrong.
Vest:
Same as above.
Hat:
Light grey kepi with black band around the bottom, or any other color kepi made from correct material and patern. Federal forage caps would also be correct. There is evidence that supports the availability of civilians being able to buy Federal forage caps. You may also wear a tricorn, but as mentioned, there is no photographic, evidence to support the wearing of tricorns by the students.
Shirt:
Same as above.
Fatigue Shirt:
Same as above.
Socks:
Same as above
Shoes:
Same as above.
Underwear:
Same as above.
Uniform requirements for those portraying non-students.
Coat:
Any kind of homemade frock or sack coat will work. Must be made from period material and pattern. Any kind of trim is acceptable, too.
Trousers:
Any kind of civilian trousers will work. Must be made from period material and pattern.
Hat:
Any kind of correct civilian hat will work. Also, you may wear a kepi made from correct material and style, or a tricorn. There seems to be more photographic evidence of common Mississippians wearing tricorns.
Vest:
Any kind of correct civilian vest made from correct material and pattern. However, I suggest not wearing a vest.
Shirt:
Same as above.
Fatigue Shirt:
For a common man from Mississippi or Virginia, I would believe that the fatigue shirt would be the most common piece of uniform clothing. Same goes for battle shirts. It would be more correct for someone to go off to war in either a plain wool or flannel overshirt, or battle shirt, if they didn't have any kind of military coat. Battle shirts may be of any color, for fatigue or overshirt, plese keep the color and construction of the shirt simple.
Socks:
Same as above.
Shoes:
Same as above.
Underwear:
Same as above.
* Don't forget about the uniform regulations that the state of Mississippi adopted for their troops. A non-student may wear civilian/farmer clothing, but one could also wear a uniform of Mississippi regulation. Refer to the previous page for the standards and rules on the infantry uniform as the state of Mississippi called for.
Equipment and gear requirements:
Since the state of Mississippi focused more on giving their soldiers weapons and equipment, this is one aspect of the impression that all should be very similar.
Waist belt:
Black leather with brass fork tounge buckle. For those portraying students who enlisted late, or non-students, belts made from white webbing with solid brass buckle will be allowed, although try to have the former belt if possible.
Canteen:
This is one piece of equipment that seems to be universal among all Mississippi troops. A tin drum canteen with a leather buckle strap is required for everyone.
Cartidge box:
Federal issue. The state of Mississippi drew it's equipment from the state of Louisiana and the Baton Rouge arsenal. Try to have correct stampings on box. No box or breast plates.
Cap pouch:
Again, Mississippi troops recieved their equipment from the Baton Rouge arsenal. Federal issue with correct stampings.
Haversacks:
There seems to be no mention of haversacks in any information other than they were issued haversacks at Corinth by the state. Were these Federal haversacks? That is not known. Since it is not known for sure what kind of haversacks they were issued, any kind of Confederate/homemade haversack will be exceptable. No Federal haversacks, or sutler row carpet haversacks.
Knapsacks:
None. It is clear that before and during the battle of Manassas Co. A did not have any knapsacks with them.
Blankets:
None. It is clear that Co. A did not have any blankets at Manassas, or for a few months before Manassas, either.
Weapons:
Evidence clearly shows that Co. A had converted flintlocks. This is obviously the most correct gun to have. However, for the sake of convience, not everyone maybe able to acquire a converted flintlock. So, you may also carry a Mississippi rifle, flintlock, or even an Enfield. No Springfields. But, as said, a converted flint is the preferred weapon for this impression.
Bowie knives:
Mississippians had a reputation in Virginia for all having very large Bowie knives. Bowie knives will be encouraged for this impression.
Bayonets and scabbord:
Correct bayonet and scabbord for the weapon that you carry.
In conclusion, Company A from sometime in June to the battle at Manassas were without shelter or blankets. So, they would have been a very dirty and rough looking set of soldiers on the battlefield of Manassas.
If you have any other questions about the impression for Co. A at Manassas, please direct them to Brandon Jolly at smallhodge@aol.com
* These guidelines are by no means the most detailed and informative guidelines that have ever been in place for an impression, but this is not an impression for everyone, and I'd hope that if your are considering this impression then you are beyond bad gear and uniforms. Please use historical and common sense. These guidelines, beyond the details of the company themselves, should all be common knowledge. There is no excuse for not having correct gear and uniform.
* Impression coordinators reserve the right to change or remove any piece of uniform that is incorect on anyone portraying a member of the University Greys.
HOME
Links to related sites
First Manassas event website
Boycott of the history channel
Wooded Hamlet. For all of your wool tape needs.
Trans-Mississippi Depot website. Excellent source for Confederate goods
Living History Company guidelines. Good source for goods
Liberty Rifles, organization that the University Greys will be attached to
Gilham's online. Gilham's will be the manual used by the University Greys
Another source for Gilham's
Email: skinfidler@hotmail.com
