The Daybreak B'hoys Living History
Association
portraying elements of
Co. A, 25th New York Volunteer
Infantry
Museum Village, Monroe, NY -
Aug. 29-31, 2003
UNIFORM REGULATIONS
Please note
the following uniform and equipment regulations. **IF YOU ARE
UNABLE TO MEET THESE REQUIREMENTS, PLEASE LET ME KNOW, AND WE WILL ATTEMPT
TO
TRACK DOWN LOANER GEAR FOR YOU** As it stands now, there are several spare
items available to be loaned out.
Our thanks to Mike McAfee and Larry McIrvin for their assistance in compiling
these
regulations.
HEADGEAR
First choice - Civilian style of black, brown, grey fur felt with
handsewn sweat band and a binding on the brim.
Second choice -
Forage cap - Type I, ideally, of fine blue broadcloth with lacquered brim,
handsewn sweat band. Please, no "baseball cap" visors!
Ornamentation, other than company letter "A", is discouraged. NO CORPS BADGES!
COAT
First choice - New York State jacket. Fine blue flannel, with 7, 8, or 9
large
New York State buttons up the front, two small buttons on the cuff, one
at each
epaulette, and one at the left-side belt loop. Pocket on the left breast.
Buttonholes hand sewn.
Second choice - Fatigue blouse. Indigo flannel, preferrably lined, buttnholes
hand-sewn. Schuylkill arsenal or contract variants acceptable.
Third choice - Well-made frock coat. These are, however, discouraged. Please
wear one of the above items if you have it.
TROWSERS
First choice - Sky blue foot pattern trowsers, indigo-dyed kersey with handsewn
buttonholes. Schuylkill arsenal, Deering contract, or any other eastern
theatre
contract styles acceptable.
Second choice - Dark blue foot pattern trowsers would still be floating around.
Wear them if you have them.
SHOES
First choice - Issue-style Jefferson bootees, sewn or pegged soles.
Second choice - Boots are acceptable, but in VERY limited numbers.
N.B. - It is documented that the 25th was to originally be issued gaiters,
but
chances are they'd have disappeared by this point.
SHIRT
First choice - Domet flannel Federal issue shirt, all visible sewing (seams,
buttonholes, topstitching) by hand, tin buttons.
Second choice - Contract variant flannel shirt - Red, blue, grey, tan. Mostly
machine sewn, except buttonholes.
Third choice - Civilian shirt. Woven cotton stripes or plaids, plain linen,
wool flannel, etc. Ideally these should exhibit a lot of handsewing.
DRAWERS
First choice - Canton flannel Federal issue drawers, all visible sewing
by
hand, tin buttons.
Second choice - Civilian pattern drawers of canton flannel, wool flannel,
white
cotton, etc.
Drawers of colored cottons are scarcely documentable and are discouraged,
particularly if you are keen on rolling up your pant legs.
SOCKS
First choice - Hand knit wool or cotton or knit by period machine. No modern
socks with elastic or "rag wool."
SUSPENDERS
First choice - Any documentable style (i.e. anything but sutler row or
modern styles) with correct webbing, two or three-pronged buckle,
handsewn buttonholes (if fabric ends) or leather ends; Crocheted as per
available information, too.
Second choice - A documentable style of civilian roller buckle belt, musket
sling, or nothing at all.
CANTEEN
First choice - New York Depot style. M1858 "smoothside" tin, leather strap,
covered in scrappy material of brown, grey, or blue. Cork attached by chain
to
hole punched in strap keeper.
Second choice - Philadelphia 1862 "bullseye" style with webbed sling and
cord
cork attachment is acceptable, but discouraged.
HAVERSACK
Only choice - Painted black cotton with leather strap closure, with inner
bag.
BELT
First choice - Waxed leather, with either "US" or "SNY" plates, with leather
loop keepers. If yours has a brass keeper, please attempt to remove it.
CAP BOX
First choice - 1850 or Shield front style, entirely handsewn, ideally without
rivets in the straps. Liner of lambswool inside.
CARTRIDGE BOX
First choice - Pattern of 1857 box, either .58 or .69 caliber, or 1861 box,
likewise .58 or .69 caliber. These boxes should have the proper tins inside,
and have either a "US" or "SNY" box plate. Please note that a .69 caliber
box
is appropriate even if you have a .58 caliber weapon. Blackened buff or
waxed
leather box strap, with breastplate.
BAYONET SCABBARD
First choice - Two-rivet style with waxed leather frog, brass tip. *If you
only
have the 7-rivet style, please try to borrow the 2-rivet style!*
WEAPON
First choice - M1853 Enfield, .577 caliber. All modern markings removed,
and
barrel ideally burnished bright.
Second choice - M1861 Springfield, .58 caliber. All modern markings removed.
KNAPSACK
First choice - M1853/55 "double-bag" pack, early style of black oilcloth,
welted seams, and brass (i.e. uncovered) shoulder strap rivets, and riveted
closure straps.
Second choice - M1853/55 "double-bag" pack, later style of painted linen.
BLANKET
First choice - Civilian style coverlet or blanket, representing either an
early-war donation or a liberated item from a Virginia farmhouse.
Second choice - U.S. issue blanket, grey or grey-brown wool with bits of
shoddy
and brown end stripes; hand-sewn "US" of brown yarn in center.
TENTAGE/GROUND COVERAGE
Only choice - Early-style, two-piece shelter half with handsewn buttonholes,
grommets, and bone buttons. Gum blanket with the smaller style brass grommets,
only. Depending on the weather, we may not erect tentage -- but bring it
for
the living history displays.
MESS GEAR
Tin cup, plate/canteen half, documentable style of utensils, etc.
PERSONAL ITEMS
Since we are representing soldiers on active campaign, there should be a
limit
to personal items carried. However, since we are doing public demonstrations,
bring those items which are appropriate in both function and physical
appearance. Sewing kits, soap, razor, toothbrush, CdVs, etc. These items
should
be carried in your knapsack -- your haversack is reserved for food.
SPEAKING OF FOOD...
The site isses us raw vegetables. Potatoes, ears of corn, etc. The stuff
is
actually pretty good, if you're not throwing it at someone. However, you
are
welcome to bring your own ration supplements. I may bring some hardtack
to
distribute, if people so desire.