Some general points about the event
a. The federal commander reserves the right to return the federal registration of anyone whose actions do not support the event’s overall goals. The event hosts reserve the right to have anachronistic or inappropriate items removed, adjusted or replaced.
b. All soldiers must register, pay the registration fee, and sign all required waivers. The registration form this year includes a request for additional information to help us organize things more effectively, and it also includes the following statement:
“I understand that the success of the federal effort at McDowell requires individuals who are willing to support each other. I understand that my actions may affect the reenacting experience of others and will respect their desire for a fulfilling experience.”
c. All soldiers are expected to support the spirit of the event by wearing period clothing from 6 p.m. Friday until departure Sunday afternoon. All are expected to respect the desire of other participants to engage in first-person experiences.
d. All participants are encouraged to develop first-person impressions appropriate to the event.
e. Direction of all military scenarios, activity schedules and authenticity standards is the responsibility of the event military coordinators (R. Denton as event organizer and the federal and confederate battalion/division commanders), who have authoritative oversight in these matters.
f. All participants in Union units must be 16 years of age or older in order to serve with a firearm. All participants regardless of age must demonstrate proficiency at drill and knowledge of blackpowder firearms safety in order to participate in any drill, demonstration, tactical or battle scenario involving discharge of such arms.
Camps:
The Federal forces during the McDowell segment of the Valley Campaign were still traveling relatively "heavy" using baggage wagons, etc. (One account cites an average of 14 to 15 wagons per regiment) , therefore fixed camps will be both allowed and encouraged.
Impressions:
In keeping with the general styles of this period of the war, the following are encouraged:
1. All uniforms must be of period styles: this means, in general, dark blue wool jackets, frock and sack coats; forage caps; black slouch or (limited) civilian hats; sky blue wool kersey trousers and greatcoats; merino wool, cotton or linen shirts; and single color wool socks of natural or subdued hues.
2. Shoes must be reproductions of period army footwear, either brogans or boots. No gaiters, please, and definitely no bare feet.
3. Officers may wear frock coats and dark blue trousers at their discretion; however, contemporary accounts indicate that officers on this campaign were wearing commercial fatigue blouses and probably standard sky blue trousers. First sergeants, and staff NCO's are discouraged from wearing frock coats as well since there is no indication these were issued or available at the time to these troops.
4. Only "standard" uniforms as might have been worn on this campaign may be worn. Zouave, chasseur, militia, foreign, marine, etc. were not present and these portrayals will not be allowed.
5. Accoutrements should be in good condition, freshly blacked with brass polished. Bayonet scabbards must be fitted with metal tips. Traps should be worn at natural waist level.
6. Hat and cap insignia such as regimental numbers, corps badges, branch designations, etc., will not be worn.
7. In general the hosts retain the right to request participants to make adjustments to their impressions to meet the needs of the event.
This is "the short list" on uniforms. If you want more information, click "uniforms" below for, possibly, more information than you want. :-)
Uniforms
