Perryville Battlefield State Historic Site

Welcome to The Perryville Civil War Battlefield Website

Uniform Standards

TYPICAL US INFANTRY

TYPICAL CS INFANTRY

yanks

reb

Union

Confederate

Dark blue wool jackets, single breasted frock or sack coats of kersey, cassimere or satinette. 

Gray or butternut wool shell, frock, or sack coats jean, satinette or cassimere.

Forage caps, stiff brimmed black slouch, Hardee or stiff brimmed civilian-type hats. Hat decoration and brass should be kept to a minimum. No dead animal parts.

Forage caps, stiff brimmed civilian slouches. No hillbilly hats or cowboy hat conversions, no dead animal parts and keep hat brass to a minimum. No modern bandanas of any type.

Sky-blue or dark blue wool correct pattern kersey trousers.
Federal issue great coats of kersey, satinette or cassimere.

Military or civilian trousers proper fabric and construction.

Wool, cotton or linen woven pattern civilian shirts or Federal issue 3 button front shirts.

Wool, cotton or linen woven pattern shirts (preferably civilian type) or Federal issue 3 button front shirts.

Single-color wool socks of natural or subdued colors.

Single-color wool socks of natural or subdued colors.

Black leather accouterments to proper specifications; bayonet scabbards must have appropriate tip.

Black or brown leather accouterments to proper specifications; bayonet scabbards must have appropriate tip.

Black-tarred haversack.

Black-tarred or white haversack.

Black canvas knapsacks (soft-packs)

Black canvas knapsacks (hard or soft-packs)

Fabric-covered, oval canteens.

Wooden or fabric-covered, oval canteens.

Army type black brogans or boots (no bare feet or 21st Century contemporary footwear - no rubber soles).

Army type black brogans or boots or properly constructed civilian shoes or boots (no bare feet or 21st Century footwear - no rubber soles).

If safety dictates you wear corrective lenses, please wear contact lenses or eyeglasses of the style appropriate for the period. Dark lenses should not be worn.

We acknowledge there may have been specialty uniforms, such as US Sharpshooter, Marine, Navy, Highlander, foreign, chasseur, militia, and other unconventional uniforms in both armies at the time. However the event standard is that of the common soldier, not the specialty soldier.

Appearance Notes
Custom dictated whether you were poor or well to do, that you not be seen in public in just your shirt. The shirt was considered underwear. You should then wear your blouse (coat), with the top button fastened, or wear a period vest. Wearing an undershirt with no appropriate “battle shirt” into battle is not acceptable.

Additionally, the appropriate living history equipment and material is essential; however, the fact that one possesses the right equipment does not always mean that it is worn correctly. Pants and waist belts are worn at the true waist at the navel. Pants were rarely if ever tucked into the socks. Haversacks, cartridge boxes, canteens, and other accouterments should be adjusted so that they do not hang on the soldier and smack against the legs, buttocks or back when on the march.  Haversacks were used to carry food and mess equipment – not personal items. These items should be carried in the pockets or in haversacks. The appropriate 19th century use of clothing and equipment will greatly improve historic impressions and your overall experience.

As a participant, you are given these standards ahead of the event. The park is here to help you in your efforts. If you have questions or concerns regarding the uniform standards please do not hesitate to ask for assistance. Park staff and military commanders retain the right to request participants to make adjustments to their impressions to meet the event standards.
pvillebrand Perryville Battlefield State Historic Site 1825 Battlefield Rd. Perryville, KY 40468 859-332-8631 pvilleparks

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