Disclaimer: I am in no way liable for injury sustained from frustrated head-shaking if you are campaigner and have stumbled upon this page. Look Away now, before you have gone too far!

 

Welcome!

We all begin somewhere, and in the land of living history, that is as a "farb." Yes, farb... and as you'll learn mostly by experiences within this educational hobby, what that word truly means will come to be better understood. However, before getting into that, we should start with a few thoughts on developing your impression.

 

A quality kit takes time to acquire as well as the knowledge of how to properly wear that kit, use as well as care for your accouterments, and equipment, and how to identify what you should carry into the field and what needs to be left at home. 

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The idea behind what we do is to replicate the experiences of the men who lived this conflict, and to honor their many sacrifices by recreating the most historically accurate depiction and impression possible. This means that quality matters. It also means that we each have a responsibility to be prepared to seek out that quality in all of our undertakings as we progress in the hobby. 

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By now, you've come to understand that there's a cost to acquiring gear and equipment in this hobby, and it is very important that you not move too quickly into buying gear and uniforms as there are a few things you'll need to consider with regard to our company and what is correct to wear and what is not as we're a western theatre company. 

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Uniform & Leathers:

It is my recommendation that you refrain from buying a uniform before your first event. Our company maintains "loaner" gear that is available to you to use at you first event. By taking advantage of the opportunity to use this gear and equipment, you also provide us an opportunity to go over what you'll need and where each item can be best acquired. By having the item in hand, you can physically see and be made to understand the purpose of the item and it's use. Additionally, we can teach you about quality vs. mainstream items by comparing the items on-hand. This will also be important as you begin navigating the purchasing process for your own uniform and items. 

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What all is included in a standard uniform? 

• Trousers - Add two sizes to your current pants size - Ex. if you wear a 36, you'd want to purchase trousers sized 40. Why?? This is because period trousers were worn higher than modern trousers, at the natural waist, or near the navel. 

• Shirt - A cotton muslin shirt is a good consideration and should be sized in much the same manner as one's regularly worn shirt size. 

• Sack Coat / Frock / Shell Jacket - This item is the outer most layer worn over your shirt concealing it and your suspenders.

• Socks - Should be of a period construction and made of wool.

• Brogans - Correct period footwear is extremely important and requires all members to purchase and own brogans. 

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Leathers??? What are you talking about?

• Belt - You'll need a belt which is sized in the same manner as that of the trousers, as it it also worn at the natural waist. ​

• Cap Pouch - There are two variations of the cap pouch (Dove Tail / Shield Front). You should consider beginning with the dove tail variation as the first kit you'll need to purchase will be your Federal Kit. 

• Cartridge Box & Sling - The cartridge box is an important item as it is where one's ammunition was kept in addition to any gun tools that many have been carried (often by a Sergeant). The largest variations here asides construction method and depot of origin will be the box plate as such ranged from "US" to "CS" to specific plates from certain states. 

• Bayonet Scabbard - There are additionally two variation of scabbards for bayonets, mostly dependent upon the type of musket you are carrying and personal preference. You will need to acquire the scabbard and bayonet that are appropriate for the musket that you decide to purchase.  

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Accouterments: 

• Haversack - There are many variations of haversacks, but the most distinct difference between them being whether the item is tarred or simply cotton ticking. Federal soldiers were issued tarred haversacks and the purpose of the item was for storage of issued rations and small personal items. When we refer to an item as "tarred" it is a piece of canvas that has been painted or coated to be made water resistant through a process similar to "japanning." 

• Canteen - There are again many variations of this item given the army and depot from which the soldier's army was supplied. The most common example found in the hobby is inclusive of either "sky blue" or "Richmond grey" wool coverings. Though not exactly what one would denote as correct, it is what you'll most likely start out with until such time that you can update your kit. At that time, you can look at Axel Ulrich and other makers of quality items which are representative of authenticity from both the standpoints of accuracy and material.

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Approaches to the Hobby: "Mainstream or Campaigner? - What does this mean?"

In our hobby there are two camps or ideological positions regarding the approach to one's impression and commitment to historical accuracy. The first of the two "factions" is that of the "Mainstream" Impression and approach. This is where most living historians live within the hobby. Here, there is a desire to portray the period; however, there is a clear understanding that also persists that we are not living in the period and therefore modern anarchism's or farb are completely acceptable so long as concealed and out of the sight of the curious spectator walking through one's camp. Items commonly found with the Mainstream A-Frame Tent, include a cot, sleeping bag, pillow, cooler, camp chair, lantern, buddy heater, and other modern non-period camping related items. 

 

The second of the two ideological approaches is that of the "Campaigner" Impression. This approach emphasizes experience, quality of impression, accuracy, and a total commitment to the period, non compromised by modern or non-period anarchism's / farb. By the name campaigner, one may correctly denote that those who follow and purposefully apply this approach, seek to simulate an experience that is as close to possible, given what we know about the period conditions of the army while in the field or on campaign. Here, you won't always find a tent, you will find canvas tarps or "dog tents" and bed rolls strewn about the ground. Regarding this approach to the hobby, it's often undertaken by experienced living historians who are deeply committed to giving a realistic as possible and immersive experience to both on lookers and their fellows in the field, despite the weather conditions and other challenges. 

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Camping at your first event: 

Within our own company, we are a progressive mixture of the two ideologies, with some of our members leaning more towards one approach and others towards the opposite. Regardless of which approach you see yourself committing to, there are some items that we can recommend you to bring when attending your first event. As you are new, we will provide a sleeping accommodation for you often in an A-frame tent, and we'll take care of your uniform and gear needs for the event with prior communication having occurred with the Captain. The following items are recommended in order to make sure that you have exactly what you need for the event: 

1. Sleeping Bag / Pillow

2. Air Pad / Sleeping Pad 

3. Personal Hygiene Products

4. Battery Bank & Charging Cord (Cell Phone)

5. Water

6. Food Items (Coordinate with Captain ahead of the event)

7. Wool Blanket (Wool Blanket)

8. Black or Brown Boots (In the event that we do not have Brogans for you to use for the event)

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There are plenty of other items you could bring, but they aren't necessary and likely you won't have a use for them. Further, all of these items represent modern anarchism's therefore, they'll need to be easily concealed from the view of the public at all times. By bringing so few items with you, you won't have a great deal to carry in or out of the event. 

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I hope that this brief guide is somewhat helpful to you when preparing for your first event with the company. I am very appreciative of our own Kyle Paul, who had the idea for this page to be added to the website as an easy to utilize and follow resource for new members coming into the company. 

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Questions? Don't hesitate to reach out to me: captain.31st.al.inf@gmail.com