Federal Impression Standards
for Siege and Seizure of Sumter
Commemorating the 150th anniversary
of the event which commenced the Civil War
8 - 14 April 2011
The impression for the Fort Sumter garrison is companies E and H of the 1st U.S. Artillery. In gathering your kit, participants may notice differences between the U.S. Army Regulations of 1857 and the revisions of 1858. Where there is direct conflict, conform to the requirements as noted in the 1858 revisions as noted below.
Troops inside Fort Sumter lived in the gear they wore, packed and brought with them in rowboats from Ft. Moultrie three and a half months before the seizure of Sumter. The troops had as much as half hour’s notice to pack knapsacks and prepare to evacuate Fort Moultrie. The troops were not supplied with new clothing during the three and a half month siege. Accordingly, clothing and gear ought not look brand new.
The below items in the impression standards are noted by preference. The first item is the most preferred. The each item down the list is an allowable, but less preferred, item. Although some allowance is allowed for individual items at the bottom of the spectrum, each participant is expected to have the bulk of his uniform and kit toward the higher end of the spectrum, not the lower end.
1. COAT:
a. Enlisted, uniform coat (frock) with red trim
b. Lined fatigue blouse (sack) : Schyulkill Arsenal
c. Uniform coat (frock) without trim
d. Other fatigue blouses should be avoided because the Schyulkill Arsenal was the only arsenal producing fatigue coats at the time of Sumter. Other manufacturers such as J.T Martin are wartime contractors. Many aspects of the patterns and sewing techniques of these wartime contractors differ from the Schyulkill produced coats.
Per the Regulations of 1857 :
COAT
For Commissioned Officers
1374. All officers shall wear a frock coat of dark blue cloth, the skirt to extend from two thirds to three fourths of the distance from the top of the hip to the bend of the knee ; single breasted for Captains and Lieutenants ; double breasted for all other grades.
For Enlisted Men
1384. The uniform coat for all enlisted men, Cavalry, Dragoons, mounted Riflemen, and Light Artillery excepted shall be a single breasted frock of dark blue cloth with a skirt extending one half the distance from the top of the hip to the bend of the knee
1385. For a Sergeant Major and Quartermaster Sergeant of Artillery one row of nine buttons on the breast placed at equal distances stand up collar to rise no higher than to permit the chin to turn freely over it to hook in front at the bottom and slope thence up and backward at an angle of thirty degrees on each side caffs pointed according to pattern and to button with two small buttons at the under seam collar and cufls edged with a cord or welt of scarlet cloth on both sides of the collar near the front the number of the regiment in yellow metal one inch long on each shoulder a metallic scale according to pattern narrow lining for skirt of the coat of same material and color as the coat pockets in the folds of the skirts with one button at the hip to range with the lowest buttons on the breast no buttons at the ends of the pockets
1390. For a Sergeant of Artillery Infantry Mounted Riflemen Cavalry and Dragoons the same as for the Sergeant Major of those corps respectively
1394. For a Corporal of Artillery Infantry Riflemen Dragoons Light Artillery and Engineer soldiers the same as for sergeant of those corps respectively 1395 for a Private of Artillery Infantry Riflemen Dragoons Light Artillery and Engineer soldiers the same as for corporal of those arms respectively
1402. For fatigue purposes a sky blue cloth jacket may be issued to troops of all arms the trimmings corresponding in color to the trimmings of the arm for which the clothing is designed
1403. On all occasions of duty except fatigue and when out of quarters the coat shall be buttoned and hooked at the collar
1408. For Officers of Artillery Infantry Riflemen Cavalry and Dragoons gilt convex device a spread eagle with the letter A for Artillery I for Infantry H for Riflemen C for Cavalry D for Dragoons on the shield large size seven eighths of an inch in exterior diameter small size one half inch
1410. For all enlisted men - yellow, the same as is used by the Artillery, &c., omitting the letter in the shield.
Per the 1858 revisions to the 1857 regulations :
In lieu of one of the two coats or jackets now authorized the first, third, and fifth years, and of the sky-blue cloth jacket allowed by paragraph 1402, General Regulations, two sacks of blue flannel, of the pattern issued to mounted troops, will be allowed yearly to all enlisted men.
The uniform coat will be made without plaits, and the number of the regiment will be omitted from the collar of the coat.
- General Orders No. 3. (War Department, Adjutant General's Office, Washington, March 24, 1858.)
2. VESTS :
a. Blue or white vests permitted for officers, only.
Per the Regulations of 1857 :
1574. Officers are permitted to wear a plain dark blue body coat with the button designating their respective corps regiments or departments without any other mark or ornament upon it Such a coat however is not to be considered as a dress for any military purpose
1575. In like manner officers are permitted to wear a buff white or blue vest with the small button of their corps regiment or department
3. HEADGEAR :
a. Hardee hat with full trimmings and left side flipped up.
b. Forage cap with appropriate company letter only. No regimental number, crossed cannons, or other brass junk allowed. No exceptions.
Per the 1858 revisions to the 1857 regulations :
Hat.
For officers: Of best black felt. The dimensions of medium size, to be as follows:
Width of brim, 31/2 inches.
Height of crown, 61/4 inches.
Oval of tip, 1/2 inch.
Taper of crown, 3/4 inch.
Curve of head, 3/8 inch.
The binding to be 1/2 inch deep, of the best black ribbed silk.
For enlisted men: Of black felt, same shape and size as for officers, with double rows of stitching, instead of binding, around the edge. To agree in quality with the pattern deposited in the clothing arsenal.
Trimmings.
For general officers: gold cord, with acorn shaped ends. The brim of the hat looped up on the right side, and fastened with an eagle attached to the side of the hat; three black ostrich feathers on the left side; a gold embroidered wreath in front, on black velvet ground, encircling the letters U. S. in silver, old English characters.
For officers of the Adjutant General's, Inspector General's, Quartermaster's, Subsistence, Medical and Pay departments, and the Judge Advocate, above the rank of captain: The same as for general officers, except the cord, which will be of black silk and gold.
For the same departments, below the rank of field officers: the same as for the field officers, except that there will be but two feathers.
For officers of the corps of engineers: The same as for the general staff, except the ornament in front, which will be a gold embroidered wreath of laurel and palm, encircling the silver turreted shield on black velvet ground.
For officers of artillery: The same as for the general staff, except the ornament in front, which will be gold embroidered cross-cannon, on black velvet ground, with the number of the regiment in silver at the intersection of the cross-cannon: The brim of the hat to be looped up on the left side, and the [two ostrich] feathers worn on the right side.
For enlisted men: The same as for officers of the respective corps; except that there will be but one [ostrich] feather, the cord will be of worsted, and the badges of yellow metal. The letter of the company, of yellow metal, to be worn in front.
All the trimmings of the hat are to be made so that they can be detached; but the eagle, badge of corps, and letter of company, are to be always worn.
- General Orders No. 3. (War Department, Adjutant General's Office, Washington, March 24, 1858.)
4. FOOTWEAR:
a. Federal issue Jefferson Bootees
Per the Regulations of 1857 :
BOOTS
1453. For all officers : ankle or Jefferson
1455. For enlisted men of Artillery Infantry Engineers and Ordnance : Jefferson rights and lefts according to pattern
5. TROUSERS:
a. Schyulkill Arsenal Dark Blue Foot Pattern - Highly encouraged
b. Sky Blue trousers are NOT ALLOWED
The dark trousers have use beyond this event. Photo evidence shows they have wide usage during the first two years of the war.
Per the 1858 revisions to the 1857 regulations :
The uniform trowsers for both officers and enlisted men will be of dark blue cloth, made without plaits. A gold cord one-eighth of an inch in diameter, instead of a buff welt, will be worn by officers of the general staff and staff corps, and a sky-blue welt by officers of infantry; for other corps the welt at present worn. For sergeants a stripe one and a half inch wide, and for corporals a stripe half an inch wide, of the color of the facings of the corps, will be worn covering the outer seam.
- General Orders No. 3. (War Department, Adjutant General's Office, Washington, March 24, 1858.)
6. SHIRT:
a. Domet flannel, Federal issue pattern
b. Limited use : civilian pattern
Get the domet shirt. You’ll be glad you’ve got it.
Per the Regulations of 1857 :
1521. Flannel shirt, drawers, stockings and stable frock the same as now furnished
7. DRAWERS:
a. Federal issue pattern of canton flannel preferred,
b. Period civilian patterns permitted.
8. Socks:
a. Federal Issue patterns of cotton or wool
b. Hand knit civilian pattern
9. GREAT COAT:
a. Not required, but sky blue foot pattern coats are very much encouraged. As the troops were using blankets for powder bags, an overcoat may have been the only covering a soldier had. It will also be handy during the “early dawn” sentry duty.
Per the Regulations of 1857 :
Overcoat
For Enlisted Men
1519. Of all Mounted Corps - of blue gray mixture stand up collar double breasted cape to reach down to the cuff of the coat when the arm is extended and to button all the way up buttons (1410)
1520. All other enlisted men - of blue gray mixture stand up collar single breasted cape to reach down to the elbows when the arm is extended and to button all the way up buttons (1410)
10. WEAPON:
a. 1842 Springfield muskets (smoothbore) preferred,
b. 1855 and 1861 Springfield rifle-muskets permitted, but discouraged.
c. NOT PERMITTED : Enfields
d. Leather sling is required
11. BAYONET:
a. Triangular pattern with a functional locking ring required
12. BAYONET SCABBARD:
a. All sewn Gaylord pattern bayonet scabbard preferred.
b. Multi-rivet patterns permitted.
13. WAIST BELT:
a. 1857 pattern waist belt (with leather keeper) and US belt plate (puppy foot or paw backs) preferred. Belt maybe of waxed or blackened buff leather.
b. Other patterns permitted.
Per the Regulations of 1857 :
1524. Belts of all enlisted men black leather
14. CAP POUCH:
a. All sewn 1850 Pattern cap pouch preferred,
b. Others permitted.
15. CARTRIDGE BOX:
a. 1839 pattern .69 Cal cartridge box preferred,
b. 1857 pattern .69 Cal and .58 Cal cartridge boxes permitted.
c. NOTE : US cartridge box and Eagle sling plates required.Per the Regulations of 1857 :
1525. Cartridge box according to pattern in the Ordnance Department
16. CANTEEN:
a. Federal pattern SMOOTH SIDE canteen with clean cloth cover and LEATHER SLING required.
b. Being too obvious, the corrugated, bullseye canteens are not allowed.
Per the Regulations of 1857 :
1529. Canteen of pattern to be prepared by the Quartermaster's Department
17. HAVERSACK:
a. Federal, painted cloth haversack required.
Per the Regulations of 1857 :
1528. Haversack of gutta percha, tin, or other material and of pattern to be prepared by the Quartermaster's Department after making the requisite experiments
18. KNAPSACKS:
a. 1855 pattern double bag knapsack. This is the only allowed type of knapsack.
b. Go without.
Per the Regulations of 1857 :
1527. Knapsack according to pattern in the Quartermaster's Department. The great coat, when carried, to be neatly folded, not rolled, and covered by the outer flap of the knapsack.
19. BLANKET:
a. Grey Federal Issue blanket, preferred
b. Brown blankets, allowed
Per the Regulations of 1857 :
1522. Blanket woolen gray with letters US in black four inches long in the centre to be seven feet long and five and a half feet wide and to weigh five pounds
20. GROUND CLOTH and BED SACKS :
a. Neither required, but both encouraged.
21. MESS FURNITURE:
a. Tin Plate, Cup and Utensils required.
b. No canteen halves. No stainless steel.22. OTHER
a. No modern glasses, wrist watches, cell phones, or other modern items.
Arrival of Major Anderson's troops at Fort Sumter, 26 December 1860.
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