-There is only one option for this impression. Each man will need an Illinois State Jacket. Jackets are available via group bully buy's on-https://www.facebook.com/share/g/1FJqsx9zFf/
We will provide each participant that has registered with the 23rd Illinois a piece of green wool that must be sewn onto the exterior collar of your Illinois State Jacket. (Quality Makers only)
"In fulfillment of the intent of the County, the contract for uniforms for one thousand men has been let by the county war committee... The fatigue dress is to consist of gray shirt and gray pantaloons, trimmed with green cord; blue jacket with green collar, and blue army regulation cap. The gray is a dark steel mixed of most durable fabric. The price paid for coat and pants is $7.25, the same to be ready in twelve days." 15 June 1861
NCO Chevrons are to be sewn on upside-down points starting at the elbow.
Option 1- Dark Blue Federal Kepi- Bull Buy options available.
Option 2- Type 1 Federal Issue Forage Cap.
All headgear must be addorned with a white Havelock. Per original accounts of the 23rd Illinois at the Battle of Lexington. They were absolutely wearing them.
There is only one option for trousers. Each man must have a pair of gray trousers with a green wool stripe down each pantleg. Bully Buy options are avaiable for this article of clothing. (Please see link posted with jackets)
Pg 6: “In the beginning, soldiers of the 23rd Illinois wore the dress of their individual companies and were armed with M1855 rifle muskets. Cook County furnished uniforms for the entire regiment: dark blue jackets with green facings, dark blue kepis, gray shirts, and gray pants with green stripes. In July 1861, haversacks and canteens were issued.”
NO SKY BLUE TROUSERS!
Made from a period correct pattern and with period correct materials.
Each man should have period correct federal issue footwear. Do not go barefoot.
“The Irish Brigade had been supplied as follows: Uniform jackets, 1,000; uniform trousers, 1,000; knapsacks, 1,000; brogans, 950 pairs; caps, 950; woolen socks, 1,900; the whole costing $11,265.75.” From the Resolution of the board of supervisors, January 8, 1862, as printed in the History of Cook County, Illinois, 1909, pg. 447.
Each man should have a U.S. waist belt, cap pouch, cartridge box (without strap), and a 2 rivet scabbard. All made from period correct patterns and with period correct materials. 80 rounds per man.
Each man should have a functioning federal issue canteen, must made from a period correct pattern and with period correct materials. With correct stopper and canteen cover.
Each man should also have a functioning federal issue haversack. Complete with cup, plate, fork, knife, spoon, poke sacks, and contain all personal items.
Each man should have a federal issue knapsack. Must contain a period correct federal issue blanket, ground cloth, extra shirt, socks, and other personal items.
Option 1- 1855 Springfield
Option 2- While they did not have these, we will aloow the use of 1861 Springifeld.
Option 3- 1842 Springfield.
Correctly Constructed Civilian Hats. (Quality Makers Only)
No Kepi's, forage caps, or other military headgear.
Marching orders for Peabody and his battalion finally came at the end of August, and they had yet to receive tents, boots or shoes, or blankets, and no uniforms whatsoever. Tired of appearing like an armed mob, many of them raided the local "Hebrew" dry goods stores and purchased all the pre-manufactured flannel overshirts of red and blue available, with their own meager tunds, to better present a uniform appearance; otherwise they were entirely clothed in their own clothing from home and carrying their own blankets, bags, and water bottles. With this early-war, nondescript unitorm, it is little wonder Peabody's men, when once returning to the earthworks after engaging the Missouri State Guard (MSG), were mistaken for the enemy attacking, and taken under fire by the 23rd Illinois Infantry, luckily without any known casualties.
Preferrred-
- Overshirts of Red and Blue color. Based on first hand accounts.
- Civilian style sack coats, paletots, or frocks. must all be of common colors and styles.
- Vest must be of proper civilian patterns, either single or double breasted style and of common colors.
- Shirts must be of common civilian styles and material.
Must be of correct material, common civilian pattern and construction. Common materials were cotton, cotton/wool jeans, cassimere, broadcloth, linen and corduroy. Subdued colors as in the coats, subdued plaids, no loud or tartan plaids. Likewise, drawers must be of civilian pattern, and correctly made.
- NO CS STYLE OR MILITARY TROUSERS.
- Civilian brogans or boots.
- correct wool and cotton or knitted socks are preffered. Bring and extra couple pairs, as we'll be marching several miles.
Each man should have a proper set of St. Louis Depot leathers. 2 rivet scabbards only. Cartridge box to be worn on belt preferably. Each man should have 80 rounds.
- Covered glass bottles, gourd canteens, pre-war wooden style drum canteens, kindey style canteens in tin or copper, militia style drum canteens.
- NO CS STYLE CANTEENS!
- Documented style civilian bags, field made bags, or nothing at all.
These items must be made of correct materials. Wool, carpeting, cotton, or linen.
- NO FEDERAL OR MILITARY STYLE HAVERSACKS.
Blankets must of civilian pattern, coverlets, or carpet blankets are preffered.
Groundcloths should of civilian pattern. Oil or painted canvas.
Participants are encouraged to wear these itmes over the shoulder or hung from a leather strap.
-NO MILITARY STYLE BLANKETS or GROUNDCLOTHS!
- 1842 SPringfield
- 1816 Conversion
- Your last option shuould be an 1861 Springfield or Enfield. Both of these would not have been seen at the time.
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