Pickett's Mill Living History Standards
(Civil War Military)

For Civilian Standards, see Civilian Clothing Standards

Philosophy

The living history program at Pickett's Mill Battlefield State Historic Site serves as a memorial to those soldiers who fought and died there. To honor their memory, participants must adhere to strict authenticity standards. Our goal is to educate the public by interpreting the life of the common soldier.

General Standards

Pickett's Mill will interpret the soldier life of the Atlanta Campaign during programs. Only impressions specific to the Atlanta Campaign will be adopted.
The park staff will determine what is authentically correct for a proper Atlanta Campaign impression.
Only units invited by the site staff may participate in Pickett's Mill programs. Invited units must maintain the parks standards.
Individual/Unit impressions will be maintained at all times while in interpretive area. It is preferred if one wishes to smoke that he smoke what is correct to the impression (pipes and primarily chewing tobacco). Those who wish to smoke cigarettes, must leave the interpretive area (that includes all areas accessible to public view). An impression is automatically assumed to include: uniform, accoutrements, weapons, food, camp equipment, mannerisms, behavior and dialogue.
Overnight camping shall be campaign only with rations identified to the site. Other arrangements can be made only with the permission of park staff.
No alcohol will be allowed on the site during hours of operation. Alcohol consumed (from period containers) after hours will be in moderation. Rowdy or indecent behavior won't be tolerated; such individuals may be removed from the site.
Illegal substances will not be tolerated under any circumstances.

Programs

Programs at Pickett's Mill Battlefield State Historic Site are comprised of first person and narrative demonstrations. There are two large scale annual events. These include military and civilian demonstrations, as well as tactical scenarios. A portion of the battle will be recreated.

Uniform Requirements

Uniform requirements are based on extensive research and documentation. Two factors are considered documentation from primary sources and what was common during the Atlanta Campaign. Items not included in this list, that meet these two criteria, will be considered by the park staff.

If at any point questions arise, feel free to ask preferably before any purchases are made.

Questions and interest can be directed to:
Pickett's Mill Battlefield State Historic Site
4432 Mt Tabor Church Road
Dallas, Georgia 30157
(770) 443-7850
or email at park@pickettsmillpark.org

Confederate Enlisted Man, Infantry

UNIFORM
1. Headgear:
  1. Civilian slouch hat. Black or gray preferred. Edge of brim as well as hat bound with silk.
  2. CS "issue" hat. Wool felt, hand-stitched leather sweatband, lined crown with maker's stamp, silk ribbon-edged brim, silk ribbon hat band.
  3. Hardee hat. Black wool felt, hand-stitched leather sweatband, label in crown, double-stitched on brim.
  4. Kepi or cap. Grey wool jean, tarred canvas or leather bill, leather sweatband (an original on display at Kennesaw Mountain Visitor's Center).
  5. Plant fiber/straw hat.
2. Shirt:
  1. Civilian shirts. Hand-sewn in 100% fiber. Patterns must be woven, no prints, with hand sewn button holes.
3. Shell Jacket:
  Jackets should be of jeans material, hand top stitched, and must have hand sewn button holes.
  1. Orphan Brigade/Columbus Depot.
  2. Atlanta Depot.
  3. North Carolina Depot.
  4. Milledgeville/Augusta Depot.
  5. Mobile Depot.
4. Trousers:
  1. Civilian Jean. Original patterns in grey, brown or black. hand top-stitching, with hand-sewn button holes.
  2. Civilian Wool. Identified style, hand sewn button holes.
  3. Military Issue. Identified style, stitching same as above.
5. Suspenders:
  1. Civilian. Any type of period civilian model with tin or brass buckles. No buckles of nickel-plated metal.
  2. Canvas/Ticking. hand-stitched with hand sewn button holes.
6. Drawers:
  1. An identified civilian or issue pattern with bone or wood buttons and hand sewn button holes.
7. Socks:
  1. Civilian socks, particularly hand-knitted cotton-wool.
8. Shoes:
  1. Jefferson bootees/brogans. Confedrate issue.
  2. English shoes or boots. Military or civilian style.
  3. Identified civilian boots.
  4. Federal issue brogans, limited use.
9. Waistcoats/Vests:
  1. Jefferson bootees/brogans. Confederate Issue.
  2. English shoes or boots. Military or civilian style.
  3. Identified civilian boots.
  4. Federal issue brogan, limited use.
BLANKETS, TENTAGE, ETC.
1. Blankets:
  1. Civilian blankets of 100% wool or jean, should be muted earth tones. No synthetic blends.
  2. North Carolina Issue or other state in C. S. issue.
  3. No Quilts.
  4. Brown or grey captured U. S. issue blankets (brown preferred).
2. Tentage:
  1. Captured shelter half, early war style (shorter version), 100% canvas with NO brass grommets or rope. Hend-sewn button holes, bone buttons. Limited use.
3. Gum Blankets/Ground Cloth:
  1. Canvas, soaked in Linseed Oil.
  2. Confederate States oil cloth. Canvas with oil or enamel paint.
  3. Captured Federal issue items. Limited use.
ACCOUTREMENTS
1. Haversacks:
  1. Canvas bag of identified C. S. pattern. Button or buckle closure.
  2. U.S. issue tarred type, with buckle and with inner bag. Limited use.
2. Canteens:
  1. Wooden type. Made of cedar/cypress/cherrywood, etc. Various styles.
  2. Tin Drum. Various sizes and styles, try to find a common identified type.
  3. U.S. issue bullseye or smoothside with or without jean/wool cover.
  4. English canteen.
3. Knapsacks (optional)
  1. Mexican War Style.
  2. Imported English. Issue Campbell and Co. maker.
  3. Confederate issue/manufacture of any of above styles.
  4. U. S. Issue double bag. Limited use.
4. Cartridge Boxes:
  1. Any A.O.T. identified box.
  2. Tarred canvas box, with or without sling. Limited use.
  3. U.S. issue M 1855/61 box, no plate. Limited use.
  4. Imported English box. Limited use.
5. Cap pouches:
  1. U. S. M 1850 pouch. Limited use.
  2. U. S. shield front pouch. Limited use.
  3. Any A.O.T. identified pouch.
  4. Tarred canvas A.O.T. pouch.
  5. English Enfield pouch, white buff. Very limited use.
6. Bayonet Scabbard: (Bayonet shoud fit weapon chosen below)
  1. Any identified A.O.T. frog and scabbard.
  2. Imported English frog and scabbard.
  3. U.S. regulation 7 or 8 rivet. Limited use.
7. Waistbelt:
  1. Leather, preferrably black, with any A.O.T. belt plate of buckle. Frame type, rectangular CSA, clipped corner CS, forked tongue, roller buckle and Georgia Frame are all common.
  2. Tarred canvas with above plates. Limited use.
  3. Captured U.S. belt and plate. Very limited use.
WEAPONS All original muskets must be compatible to the era and be in proper working order.
1. P 1853 Enfield: Repros need proper modifications.
2. M 1855 Springfield: Repros need proper modifications.
3. M 1861 Springfield: Repros need proper modifications. (note: M 1863 Springfield is not appropriate).
4. 1864 Richmond: Repros need proper modifications.
5. Austrian Lorenz: 54 cal., original in safe, working order.
6. Belgian Conversion: 69 cal., original in safe, working order.
7. Slings: Canvas or russet leather. Very limited use.

***No anachronisms-this includes modern eyeglasses, modern jewelry, wristwatches, etc. Smoking and tobacco use should be in period fashion only, such as plug tobacco and pipes (cigars are o.k. for officers). Cigarettes are not allowed.

Confederate Cavalry

Jackets
1. Columbus Depot: gray woolen jean with blue collar and cuffs, with or without outside pockets. Six piece body, one piece sleeve, six button front is the most common. Oone of the eight known was worn by John F. Jenkins of the Breckinridge Guards, a company attached to Nathan Bedford Forrest.
2. Atlanta Depot: Made from various wool or jeans. Six piece body, one piece sleeve and a collar that meets in the middle when jacket is buttoned. Five or six button front, no outside pocket or trim. one of the four known was worn by Joseph Israel Daniel of the 5^th Georgia Cavalry during the Atlanta Campaign.
3. Department of Alabama: gray woolen jeans with blue jean collar. Six piece body two piece sleeve. All have outside pocket with 5 button front. One of the five known was worn by Silas Calmes Buck, Co. D., 12^th Mississippi Cavalry.
4. Civilian Jackets or coats can be worn if documented to unit being portrayed, i. e.: Kelly's Division, Atlanta Campaign. These must of course be of correct pattern and materials.
Trousers
1. Army Issue gray woolen jeans with side seam or mule ear pockets. These must be of correct pattern.
2. Civilian trousers jeans, wool, satinet, cotton, etc. Most common colors are black, brown, blue or gray.
Shirts
1. Civilian shirts seem to be the most common. Cotton in checks, stripes, plaids or solids. Printed calicoes were popular but be careful to choose period patterns. Pockets were common in work shirts. Split or placket front. Be sure to choose from one of the many period styles. This is one area where the soldier could use some self expression.
2. Army Issue plain off-white cotton with three button placket front, underarm gussets, fold down collar, fold back cuffs, no pockets.
Vests
1. Vests wre all civilian made with either a lay down civilian style collar or a military stand up collar. Double or single breasted in wool, jeans, satinet, etc. Colors tend to be black, brown, blue, gray - the same as trousers. In fact, in civilian wear it was common to match the vest and trousers even if the coat was of a different color.
Drawers
1. Issue drawers are the most documented. Cotton onasburg or heavy muslin sheeting of period pattern.
2. Civilian drawers of same materials as above or homespun cotton. Wool or woolen mixture is also common.
Braces/Suspenders
1. No suspenders were issued, thus patterns would be various civilian styles; made of woven cotton tape, leather, ticking, woven patterned material, crochet, etc. with period buckles of brass or tin plated brass (no nickel plated buckles).
Socks
1. Civilian socks knitted of wool or cotton in any of many period patterns and colors (mostly muted natural tones).
2. Issue socks unbleached cotton or wool.
Foot Wear
1. Issue brogans documented to Army of Tennessee
2. Civilian brogans smooth or rough side out.
3. Boots correct period pattern-square toes, one piece fronts.
Head Wear
1. Civilian hats are the most common, in any fo several period styles, i.e. flat or round crown, low or high crown, beehive, etc. Black, brown, or gray. Most have edge trim and grograin hatband. Pay proper attention to lining and sweatband.
Neck Wear
1. Kerchief of cotton, either solid, woven check, or period calico print (no modern printed kerchiefs).
2. Period-style silk cravat or neck tie, printed or solid, tied in period fashion.
3. Many period photographs show men without neck wear of any sort, but the top button is always buttoned.

Accoutrements

Cartridge Box
1. William Brands and Company Tarred Canvas, Columbus, GA
2. Atlanta Arsenal
3. G. N. Wyman Augusta, GA
Cap Pouch
1. Williams Brands and Company Columbus, GA
2. Atlanta Arsenal
3. G. N. Wyman Augusta, GA
Waist Belt
1. Leather or painted canvas (with leather ends) with C. S. A. rectangle, clipped corner, roller buckle, Georgia Frame or wish bone frame.
Haversack
1. Confederate Issue.
2. Federal Issue Limited use.
3. Period Civilian Style.
Canteen
1. Gardner Pattern is the most common.
2. Knuckles Pattern.
3. Any documented Army of Tennessee.
4. Federal Issue limited use.
Blankets
1. Documented Army of Tennessee
2. Civilian Blankets
3. N. C. Issue Limited use.
4. Federal Issue Limited use.
Tentage
1. Shelter half Confederate or Federal Issue.
2. Many soldiers were completely without tents. Shebangs made of ground cloths, gum blankets, scraps of canvas and brush arbors are fine. A-frame or wall tents are not allowed.

Horse Tack

Saddles
1. Confederate Issue McClellan Columbus or Augusta Arsenals.
2. Hope pattern saddles.
3. Jennifer saddle documented to Army of Tennessee.
4. Federal issue McClellan: very limited use.
Blankets
1. Period civilian styles.
2. Confederate issue.
3. Federal Infantry or Cavalry limited use.
4. Blankets woven from Spanish Moss documented to Army of Tennessee.
Halters
1. Confederate issue Single Ring-Augusta Arsenal.
2. Atlanta Arsenal (halters and bridles).
3. Columbus Depot.
4. Federal halters documented usage.
5. Period Civilian styles.
Bridles
1. Augusta Arsenal.
2. Atlanta Arsenal halters and bridles.
3. M 1841 Dragoon double rein bridle and bit.
4. Columbus Depot.
5. Period civilian styles.
Bits
1. Civilian twist bit.
2. Confederate issue bit.
3. M 1841 Dragoon bit.
Breast Collar (Optional)
1. Civilian period styles.
2. Confederate issue.
3. Federal issue limited use.
Surcingle (Optional)
1. Confederate or Federal issue.
Knapsacks (Optional)
1. M 1853 English pattern.
2. M 1823 (Mexican War) pattern.
3. French Pattern.
4. M 1851 Federal Double Bag limited use.
Saddle Bags (Optional)
1. Confederate Issue documented Army of Tennessee.
2. Period civilian styles.
Valise (Optional)
1. M 1841 Dragoon valise.
2. Civilian style.

***Note: all stitching on horse tack should be done by hand, with the correct pattern saddle tree. M 1904 McClellan trees or saddles are not allowed. Halter, breast collars, bridles, should all be either harness or bridle weight leather. All tack should have correct period buckles and hardware.

Weapons

Small Arms
1. M 1853 Enfield two band rifle, three band rifle-musket, musketoon, or cavalry carbine.
2. Austrian Rifle.
3. Cook and Brother cavalry carbine.
4. Mississippi rifle.
5. J. P. Murray
6. Sharps Carbine: Confederate or Federal Use.
7. First Model Maynard carbine.
8. Burnside Carbine.
9. Hall Carbines.
10. Shotguns, civilian weapons, bore muskets: limited use.
Revolvers
1. M 1860 Colt Army.
2. M 1851 Colt Navy.
3. Any documented Army of Tennessee Confederate made Colts.
4. Kerr English revolvers.
**Note: by 1864 revolvers were becoming scarce; less than half of the Cavalrymen in the AOT had them. No individual should have more than one pistol.
Sabers (Optional)
1. Pre-war U. S. Dragoon Sabers.
2. Confederate made Cavalry Sabers: Nashville Plow Works, H. Marshall Co., Columbus Depot.
3. M 1853 English saber documented to Georgia Cavalry.
**Note: the same caution applies with sabers as with pistols, but even more so.

Horses and Mules

Use as a guide.

Saddlebred.
Plantation Walker.
Thoroughbred.
Arabian.
Quarter Horse.
No Western Breeds: Paints, Appaloosas, Palaminos, Buckskins, etc.

Federal Enlisted Man, Infantry

UNIFORM
1. Headgear:
  1. Hardee Hat. Black wool felt, hand-stitched sweatband, label in crown, double-stitched on brim.
  2. Civilian slouch hat. Black or grey preferred. Edge of brim as well as hat band bound with silk.
  3. Forage cap. Federal or indigo blue wool, leather bill with leather sweatband.
2. Shirt:
  1. U. S. Regulation Issue. Single closure at neck, 12" opening at front. Donet flannel. To be all hand-stitched and flat-felled seams. Natural off-white.
  2. Contract shirt. Blue, grey or tan cotton. Machine stitched with hand-sewn button holes.
  3. Civilian shirt. Hand-sewn 100% wool or 100% cotton-woven checks, or muslin with hand-sewn button holes.
3. Sack Coats/Frock Coats:
  1. Fatigue blouse. Lined or unlined. 5-8 oz. wool/flannel, 4 button front. Hand sewn button holes.
  2. Commercial blouse. Civilian manufactured. Lined, 4, 5, or 6 button blouse, hand-sewn button holes.
  3. State/shell jacket. Lined with shoulder straps, 9 button front.
  4. Frock coat. Lined and padded in the chest, lined in the sleeves. 9 button front with pockets in the tails. Hand-sewn button holes.
4. Trousers: All trousers to be sky blue with 21 oz wool kersey, with an upward rise in the back and stamped-tin paper back buttons.
  1. Schuykill Arsenal Pattern. 5 button fly, 6 counting 1 in the waistband. Triangular0shaped yoke in back. All hand-stitched. Hand-sewn button holes.
  2. Steubenville Arsenal Pattern (Decting Contract). 4 button fly, 5 counting waistband. Trapezoidal-shaped yoke in the back. Machine or hand-stitched with hand-sewn button holes.
  3. Type 3 (H.F.H. Cincinnati Contract Trousers). 4 button fly, 5 counting waistband. Rectangular-centered yoke in the back. Machine-stitched with hand-sewn button holes.
5. Suspenders:
  1. Any type of period civilian model with tin or brass buckles. No buckles of nickel plated metal.
6. Drawers:
  1. Civilian pattern. Hand-sewn button holes.
  2. Military issue. Hand-sewn button holes.
7. Socks:
  1. Civilian socks. Particularly hand-knitted cotton or wool.
8. Shoes:
  1. Jefferson booties/borgans. Black with pegged, stitched or pegged and stitched soles.
  2. Identified civilian boots.
***No anachronisms-this includes modern eyeglasses, modern jewelry, wristwatches, etc. Smoking and tobacco use should be in period fashion only, such as plug tobacco and pipes (cigars are o.k. for officers). Cigarettes are not allowed.
BLANKETS, TENTAGE, ETC.
1. Blankets:
  1. Brown or grey U.S. issue blankets with brown preferred.
  2. Civilian blankets of 100% wool, should be muted earth tones. Very limited use.
  3. No Quilts.
2. Tentage:
  1. Shelter half, early war style (short version). Canvas twill with NO brass grommets. Rope and hand-sewn button holes. Limited use.
3. Gum Blankets/Ground Cloth:
  1. U.S. issue gum blanket. Small grommets.
ACCOUTREMENTS
1. Haversacks:
  1. U.S. issue tarred type, with buckle and inner bag.
2. Canteens:
  1. U.S. issue bullseye or smoothside with or without jean or wool cover.
3. Knapsacks (Optional):
  1. U.S. issue double bag.
4. Cartridge Boxes:
  1. U.S. issue M 1855 box without plate.
5. Cap Boxes:
  1. U.S. M 1850.
  2. U.S. Shield front.
6. Bayonet Scabbard:
  1. U.S. 7 or 8 rivet for Springfield or Enfield.
7. Waistbelt:
  1. U.S. issue plate with black bridle leather belt.
WEAPONS
1. P 1853 Enfield: Repros need proper modifications.
2. M 1855 Springfield: Repros need proper modifications.
3. M 1861 Springfield: Repros need proper modifications. (note: M 1863 Springfield is not appropriate).
4. Austrian Lorenz: 54 cal., original in safe, working order.

***Note: Proper modifications may include removal of all anachronistic markings, burnishing of 77 parts, replacement of barrel bands, and stamping with correct markings.

Pickett's Mill Living History Standards (Civil War Military)