Rules and Impression Guidelines for Confederate Reenactors

Confederate reenactors must comply with the following, in addition to the overall event regulations:

Camps:

At this year's event our goal for the Saturday Living History period will be to portray the field bivouac(s) of the Confederate Army, specifically Johnson's 1st Brigade, during the advance from Buffalo Gap towards the Town of McDowell.  Johnson's troops have turned the tables on the Federal Brigade of General Milroy, who had been pursuing them towards Staunton.  Upon receiving the news that Jackson's main force had detrained in Staunton, Johnson's men, who had made a desperate last stand at Buffalo Gap (on the Staunton-Perkersburg Pike), now reversed their march and began a spirited pursuit of the Federals.  We will be portraying Johnson's men after they had successfully attacked and captured milroy's baggage train at Ramsey's Draft, at the eastern base of Shenendoah Mountain.

As such, we are asking participants to bring no tentage, as Johnson's men were under light marching orders to speed their pursuit.  Carrying of oilcloths, vulcanized rubber blankets. and serviceable woolen blankets is encouraged, however tents will be prohibited.  (Provisions have been made to shelter the campaign troops if we should have bad weather.)

Uniforms:

Johnson's troops were wearing a variety of commutation style military (commercial and homemade) as well as civilian clothing during this campaign. We must therefore trust each unit to guide the choice of exact uniforms based upon their own research. Nevertheless, in keeping with the First Valley Campaign, the following general rules are encouraged for Confederate uniforms:

1. All uniforms must be of period styles and made from materials closely resembling those available during the period and using appropriate tailoring techniques. This means, in general, jean cloth, all wool or wool/linen shell jackets, frock coats, battle shirts, vests or civilian coats; trousers should conform to the same restrictions as upperwear; kepis, slouch hats or (limited) captured Federal military headgear; wool, cotton, or linen shirts; and single color wool, socks of natural or subdued hues.

2. Officers are encouraged to wear frock coats, dark colored piped trousers, and kepis.

3. Shoes and boots should be of period styles, both military and/or civilian. No "British import" shoes (too early). Period accounts suggest that as many as 1/4 to 1/3 of the Confederate enlisted men were shoeless and/or sockless during this campaign, therefore bare feet and especially wearing of shoes without socks is encouraged, especially during living history segments, but discouraged for battle scenarios (safety). No wearing of socks without shoes. No "wrapped feet".

4. Uniforms should be dirty but not ragged, as most of the Confederates had been supplied with clothing roughly four weeks before, but did not have a chance to change or wash clothing since.

5. Slouch hats should have upturned brims bound with ribbon. No straw hats, mechanics hats, or "confederate" forage caps unless pre-approved by the hosts. No hat brass, branch insignia, etc., except as pre-approved by the event hosts.

6. Accoutrements should be in good condition. Brass, guns and bayonets should be clean and polished. Bayonets scabbards should have metal tips. Traps should be worn at or near waist level.

7. In general, the hosts and event organizing committee retain the right to request participants to make adjustments to their impressions to meet the needs of the event. 

Click here to read a more detailed version of the Confederate Guidelines.