Concepts
and overview for Union forces
Our emphasis as Federals at McDowell 2007 is going to be on giving
reenactors as much time in 1862 as possible, with emphasis on carrying
out the same activities as Civil War soldiers using the same tools,
materials and techniques they did. The expectations and standards here
are in support of this primary, overarching goal.
Infantry Companies
To be accepted into Federal service at McDowell,
companies must have 44 muskets registered. Also registered must be two
company officers, a first sergeant and a second sergeant. These
are registration minimums. Units may have more than 44 rank and
file and more than two sergeants. For our purposes, however, it is hard
to see a need for more than two company officers. ALL company officers
should expect to be called upon to serve regimental functions,
including officer of the day and officer of the guard, in addition to
patrol and quartermaster details.
Infantry Regiments
To be accepted into Federal service at McDowell,
regiments must have at least three companies with registrations
totaling 44 rank and file, two company officers, a first sergeant and a
second sergeant. Regiments must also field a battalion commander,
a second in command, an adjutant, a sergeant major, a clerk, a
quartermaster/commissary (or both) and a bugler.
Command
Line and field officers serve at
McDowell only with the approval of the federal commander, and only in
functional capacities. Professional-level expertise and world-class kit
are not necessary; a willingness to function as realistically as
possible, coupled with willingness to focus on the experience itself,
are more important. The approval function for company officers will be
delegated to regimental commanders at the time regiments are justified
by the numbers of people registered and authorized by the federal
commander.
All officers will need to review material sent from the federal command
staff regarding operations and unit impressions. Particular unit
impressions will be mutually agreed upon by the federal commander and
authorized regimental commanders.
Some general points about the event
The federal commander reserves the right to
return the federal registration of anyone whose actions do not support
the event's overall goals.
a. 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.
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.
Federal reenactors must also comply with the overall event regulations.
Click here
for a detailed
account of the Federal Uniform Guidelines.
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