The authenticity guidelines previously written for this event remain in effect with regard to quality, period construction, materials, sources, and prohibited items. The guidance here is provided to allow the march participants to develop an impression for this event that accurately depicts the appearance of the North Carolinians who passed over this land 138 years ago. This may not match your existing conceptions of the appearance of the ANV soldier in the Maryland Campaign or your desire to use some particular item. Please adjust your current impression to match the guidance for this important preservation event.
Jacket1. North Carolina Jacket, of gray jeans or cassimere. (commonly called the “N.C. Depot Jacket” today) The 35th NC received a large numbers of these jackets in late April making it the most prevalent garment worn by the soldiers in the ranks. NC Quartermaster records indicate that gray was the predominate color of the cloth purchased for State clothing. Avoid the use of any other colors of fabric, especially brown, for this garment. Buttons should be either NC state seal or NC sunburst. The jackets should be dirty, frayed at wear points such as the cuffs and elbows, but not completely in tatters.
2. Richmond Depot Type I or Type II Jacket, in gray jeans, cassimere, satinette, or kersey. These jackets are inappropriate for this impression. Nevertheless, these types of jackets will be permitted for those few people unable to obtain a correct North Carolina issue jacket. A few wounded or sick soldiers released from Richmond hospitals may have been issued CS clothing upon discharge and return to the regiment, but this was not an overwhelming number. These jackets should not show the level of wear that the NC-issued jackets would, as the Richmond jackets would have been issued later. Only a few will be permitted in each company.
3. N.C. 1861 Regulation Coat. (commonly called the “N.C. sack coat” today) We cannot rule out the use of this coat, although the NC issue jacket would have by far been the most common in the 35th NC. A few may have still been worn by those soldiers who missed the jacket issue for some reason or those men in Company K that did not get one of the jackets (Did the company commander think that most of his men did not need a new garment in April?). The soldiers received these coats in November-December 1861, and by October, these coats would be completely ragged and unserviceable. Again, the number of jackets issued indicates that very few soldiers needed to retain these older coats.
Prohibited Items: any civilian coats, any type of frock coats on enlisted men, or other CS issue coats or jackets of any type not specifically listed, overshirt/“battle shirt” as outer garment, any Federal clothing.
Trousers1. “McRae” or “Richmond” patterns in gray jeans, cassimere or satinette. The “Richmond” pattern trousers match the basic style of a pair of trousers identified as NC issue. These trousers would also have been be dirty, frayed, and generally in worse condition than the jackets. Avoid brown fabrics, as any of the early-war NC issue trousers of these fabrics would have been worn out by October 1862. Again, a few may wear Richmond Depot issue or other types of trousers to represent hospital issues.
Prohibited Items: any civilian trousers, CS issue types not common to the ANV in 1862, any Federal trousers.
Shirts1. “Hollyday” style shirt or any other shirt style identified as a North Carolina issue item or identified to a North Carolina soldier. The “McRae” style is acceptable, if not made of English flannel.
Prohibited Items: Federal issue shirts or any CS issue not common to the ANV in 1862, overshirt/“battle shirt” as outer garment, English import shirts.
Drawers: Any period types in cotton or flannel. Do not use Federal drawers if you can avoid it.
Socks: (if worn) Any period types in wool or cotton. Shoes: Again, the late April issue of QM supplies included a large quantity of shoes, so the majority of the soldiers would have had a well-used pair in October.Prohibited Items: any type of boots or Federal issue shoes.
Hats/Caps: The “kepi” style of cap appears most frequently in images of NC soldiers.1. Percussion conversion of the M1816 musket
4. Rifle muskets, M1855, M1861, early Richmond with M1855 type lockplate (the “high hump” type, not the later model found on most reproduction Richmond muskets)
5. M1842 musket
Bayonets appropriate to the weapon carried. It is also acceptable not to carry a bayonet. A “gun sling” is not required with the weapon, but if used must be appropriate to the weapon carried. Musket appendages encouraged for all ranks, but each non-commissioned officer should have at least a wrench and wiper that fits his weapon. Ammunition packages and boxes should show markings for the Richmond Arsenal.
Accouterments: These items should be NC issue or CS issue appropriate to the ANV in 1862. Very limited use of captured US boxes ( patterns of 1857, 1861); A few of these will be allowed, as it is possible that individual soldiers could have obtained one from a Federal casualty in the West Woods on September 17-18. Please do not use these unless you have no other choice. No CS painted canvas accouterments, belts, or slings, as this scenario is too early to permit their use. No white webbing or white buff leather items of any sort. While English accouterments were available in 1862, we have no record of the 35th NC receiving any, so please do not use them for this event.1. Cartridge Box: NC issue types or CS types identified to NC use, CS types appropriate to the ANV in 1862. US pattern of 1839, very limited use of captured US boxes (patterns of 1857, 1861 boxes with shoulder belts appropriate to the types of boxes). If a cartridge box shoulder belt is used: black leather NC/CS issue.
2. Cap Box: NC issue types or CS types identified to NC use, CS types appropriate to the ANV in 1862. Very limited use of captured US pattern of 1850.
3. Waist Belt: a black leather belt with an iron roller buckle was the common NC issue item in 1861-62. CS issue frames or forked-tongue types permitted. No Federal issue. No English imports, canvas webbing, white buff or painted canvas.
4. Bayonet Scabbard: NC or CS issue types appropriate to the ANV in 1862. Federal scabbards (two-rivet type) permitted in small numbers. English import scabbards and frogs of the correct pattern are allowed but discouraged. If you carry a saber bayonet for a Mississippi Rifle, the scabbard should be black leather with iron or brass mounts and a CS or US pattern black leather belt frog. Do not use the 1855 pattern rifleman’s belt.
Prohibited Items: any bowie, side, or fighting knives, pistols of any sort, pikes, or any other types of military or civilian weapons not specifically permitted above.
Blanket: Yes, you can carry a blanket at this event. Obviously, going without a blanket would be the historically correct impression, but we realize that this is not really an option for most of us. Limit your bedding to one blanket if possible.1. NC or CS issue military blankets. No “NC”- marked blankets permitted, as this scenario is too early to permit their use.
2. Civilian bed blankets, coverlets, quilts, carpet blankets.
3. Federal blanket. A few of these will be allowed, as it is possible that individual soldiers could have found them in the West Woods September 17-18. Please do not use this item unless you have no other choice.
Oilcloth: Yes, you can carry some sort of waterproof groundsheet, preferably NC or CS types of oilcloths. Federal rubber blanket/poncho: A few of these will be allowed, as it is possible that individual soldiers could have found them in the West Woods September 17-18. Please do not use these unless you have no other choice. No oilcloth/rubber blanket is also correct for this scenario. Haversack (the AQM of the 35th NC drew 250 haversacks from Raleigh on June 28 )1. NC or CS issue unpainted cotton haversack.
2. US Haversack, A few of these will be allowed, as it is possible that individual soldiers could have found them in the West Woods September 17-18. Please do not use this item unless you have no other choice.
Prohibited Items: any other types of haversacks or carpetbags.
Canteen (the AQM of the 35th NC drew 463 “canteens and straps” from Raleigh on June 28 )1. NC or CS issue tin drum canteens. Existing information from 1861-62 shows the NC QM purchasing tin canteens and existing images show tin drums in use. These canteens should be the plain, flat- sided type or the convex-sided types used in the ANV. Canteen slings appear to be leather in many images, but simple cotton cloth types are common on surviving canteens.
2. Federal pattern of 1858 canteen. A few of these will be allowed, as it is possible that individual soldiers could have found them in the West Woods September 17-18. Please do not use this item unless you have no other choice. No pattern of 1862 (“bullseye” type) Federal canteens.
Prohibited Items: any canteens not common to the ANV in 1862, any with embossed “CS” or other markings, any wooden or Gardner types, and any filter types.
Knapsack: None. Remember that they lost them on the withdrawal across the Potomac. Apparently, some soldiers were able to retain blankets or find a replacement, but its clear that the knapsacks did not make it back to Virginia with the soldiers. Mess Equipment: Tin cups, small boilers, small tin plates or bowls and the usual types of flatware. Avoid the use of the Federal canteen-half as a plate for this event. Any other mess pans would have been left behind with the knapsacks. Avoid the use of large mess pans/pots, frying pans, etc, as these were in short supply. No more than two axes for each company. Normally these few items were stored on the wagons during movement and usually not available during overnight bivouacs. Miscellaneous Clothing and EquipmentShelter Half: None
Tentage: None. Tent flies were carried on wagons and were generally not available on overnight bivouacs.
Overcoat: None
Pioneer Tools: None
Prohibited items: Rubber talmas/raincoats, rain covers for caps, any other one-of-a-kind or oddball items that are inappropriate or wrong for North Carolinians in Lee’s army in 1862.
Personal Items : Carry only those items that can fit in your pockets: wallets, watches, pocketknives, cased images, etc. These should be items common to a North Carolinian in the ANV in 1862. Fancy writing kits, toilet articles, sewing kits, chess sets, books, camp/smoking/sleeping caps, etc. were lost with the knapsacks (…later to become fodder for 20th Century relic hunters), so please leave them at home for this event.
Rations: Food was notoriously short during this campaign and did not increase measurably upon the return to Virginia. The Confederates did not get much from the Maryland farmers and the staples of the diet were “green corn and fruit”. While in the Valley Lieutenant Clark found that “sugar and coffee is not to be procured. We use wheat coffee and honey”. Lt. Col. Walkup described his regiment’s rations in October as “beef and eternal flour” implying a monotonous diet. This was probably the same for the 35th NC. The harvests were ready in October, so individual soldiers foraging locally for corn; apples and other foodstuffs may have been successful. The usual issues of cornmeal, bacon, or vegetables other than corn do not appear to have been common in October. Personal Appearance: The personal appearance of Lee’s troops in this campaign shocked the Maryland citizens. All accounts describe them as dirty (“filthy”), and unkempt, one Marylander claiming that nothing about them shined except their guns and their teeth (the well-maintained weapons were often commented upon). The withdrawal to Virginia would not have appreciably improved the appearance of the soldiers. Try to be as close to this your modern life will permit.
Lastly…A short note on the “intangibles”. We are all looking forward to this event, seeing old friends, soaking in the fall colors, etc. but once we step off, we need to put ourselves in the place of those Tar Heels of 1862. They had undergone a desperate battle where they had been under fire most of the day. They had seen the enemy break and run before them during their brigade’s attack and had repulsed subsequent Federal attacks on their position in the West Woods. Despite their tactical successes, they must have realized that the withdrawal from Maryland indicated the failure of the campaign. The bivouac in Winchester had provided the first real opportunity for them to rest and recuperate from the demands of the campaign.
When the army moved east in late October, the soldiers had time to contemplate concerns other than the Federal army. Many officers and men repeated their calls for pay, which they had gone without for nearly six months. Others, especially officers, took the opportunity to apply for furloughs or think about ways of visiting family or friends outside the army. Indeed, some soldiers found the march east from Winchester enjoyable. William England noted on October 2, that despite the fact that “we are without Blankets or without a change of clothing…” the light marching order in the cool Autumn weather suited them. “[T]he regiments [have] their guns stacked in line & each company occupys a narrow space on each side of their guns without any shelter. I once would have thought it hard treatment, but now I enjoy it with a relish, My only wish is that we may always fair that well.”
By early October, cold weather arrived and dampened some of the enthusiasm for outdoor living. Lt. Col. Walkup of the 48th noted in his diary on October 27 “Last night near Upperville, Va., was an awful night in camp upon soldiers, without tents and blankets, cold, raining & very high winds.” When an early snow struck a few weeks later, England lamented the same conditions: “We are seeing hard times in the snow without any shelter only as we make shelter of brush and a hard way to get wood to make fires.”
As the days passed without any blankets or clothing, some North Carolinians looked to their governor-elect, Zebulon B. Vance for relief. Prior to his election in July, 1862, Vance had been Colonel of the 26th NC and campaigned in the army as “the soldier’s candidate.” He had made speeches to various regiments, and told the men that when elected, he would take measures to ensure their safety and comfort. As Walkup’s October 11 letter shows, many were expecting Vance to live up to his campaign rhetoric.
Those Tar Heels persevered, but every day was a challenge for the soldiers in the ranks. You shouldn’t look at this event as a reenactment of Bataan, but it was not a time of high spirits and horseplay in the ranks. Please remember this when you step off.