Our portrayal is a July 1, 1863 campaign impression of the 6th Wisconsin Infantry Regiment Company C. At that time the 6th Wisconsin was the 1st Brigade, 1st Division, 1st Army Corps of the Army of the Potomac. We try to portray the 6th Wisconsin at every event we attend, but sometimes we also portray a Western Federal company. The following is a list of the required (and optional) uniform and equipment you will need to achieve your impressions. Also included are the recommended vendors where one should purchase each item. The best vendors are listed in black, while the last alternatives are in gray.

1. Headgear

A. M1858 Dress Hat (Hardee Hat) The dress hat should be constructed of black wool felt with a 3 inch brim edged with two lines of stitching. There should be a 3/8-inch to 5/16-inch hat-band knotted on the left of the hat. The crown should be 5 1/2 inches tall, with a paper label attached on the bottom. A black or maroon leather sweatband should also be inside the hat. No hat brass, hat cords or ostrich feather is needed.

Hardee Hat by Clearwater Hats

Venders: Tim Bender Hats, Dirty Billy's Hats, Jersey Skillet Licker, Clearwater Hat Company, Tim Allen Hats

B. Forage Cap The 1858 pattern forage cap can either be the type I or the type II. Both should be made of dark blue wool with a black or brown lining and black leather sweatband inside. The patent leather visor should not be rolled like a modern baseball cap. No hat brass is necessary.

Type II Forage Cap by Nick Sekela (Skillet Licker)

Vendors: Jersey Skillet Licker, Dirty Billy's Hats

C. Civilian Hat A civilian hat can be used when portraying a Western Federal soldier. We do not portray the 6th Wisconsin at every event we attend.

Flat Top Bowler Hat by Tim Bender Hats

Vendors: Tim Bender Hats, Dirty Billy's Hats, Clearwater Hat Company, Tim Allen Hats

2. Shirts

A. Federal Issue Shirt This was the most common shirt worn by Federal soldiers. These were issued in only one size! They were made of domet wool flannel in gray, off-white, blue, or gray. They should have 5 paper-backed tin buttons, one on each cuff and three on the front placket.

Federal Blue Variant Shirt by Nick Sekela (Skillet Licker)

Vendors: Jersey Skillet Licker, CJ Daley

B. Civilian Shirt Must be made of a 100% natural cotton fabric. Prints must be period-correct. Buttons may be wood, glass, bone, mother-of-pearl, procelain, or even paper-backed tin.

Civilian Shirt by Nick Sekela (Skillet Licker)

Vendors: Jersey Skillet Licker, CJ Daley, Quartermaster Shop

3. Coats

A. Frock Coat The 6th Wisconsin and Iron Brigade were issued Frock Coats. They are made of dark blue wool with a diagonal weave, with infantry blue piping on the collar and cuffs. Down the front of the coat are nine general service eagle buttons, with two general service eagle buttons on each cuff. The bottom of the skirt should reach about half way between the hip and the knee. The inside is lined with black or brown polished cotton lining, with the sleeves being lined with cotton muslin. There should be no internal pocket in this coat, and all buttonholes should be hand sewn.

Federal Frock Coat

Vendors: Jersey Skillet Licker, CJ Daley, County Cloth, C&D Jarnagin, Quartermaster Shop

B. Fatigue Blouse (Sack Coat) Should be made of indigo dyed wool with a diaganol weave. There are 4 general service eagle buttons down the front, and one kidney shaped or square pocket inside the coat. The coat should have a falling collar and vented cuffs, and hand sewn buttonholes. Lined and unlined sack coats are acceptable in any of the documented patterns (J.T. Martin, Schuylkil, Deering). Lined coats should have a wool flannel, linen or cotton lining, with cotton muslin lining in the sleeves. Unlined coats must have flat-felled seams.

J.T. Martin Sack Coat by Nick Sekela (Skillet Licker)

Vendors: Jersey Skillet Licker, CJ Daley, Camp Randall Quartermaster, C&D Jarnagin, Quartermaster Shop

4. U.S. Infantry Trowsers

Foot pattern trowsers should be made of a sky blue kersey wool with a diaganol weave. They are high-waisted, and should be worn at the navel. Trowsers should include a watch pocket, and either mule ear or slit type pockets. Either 4 or 6 paper backed tin suspender buttons should be present along with 5 paper backed tin fly buttons. All buttonholes should be hand sewn. Any of the documented pattern trowsers are acceptable (JT Martin, Schuylkil, Deering).

J. T. Martin Trowsers by Nick Sekela (Skillet Licker)

Vendors: Jersey Skillet Licker, CJ Daley, County Cloth, Stoney Brook, C&D Jarnagin, Quartermaster Shop

5. Suspenders

Suspenders should be made of cotton or linen with leather end tabs and the correct adjustment buckles. They are usually between 1 and 1.625 inches wide. "Poor boy" type suspenders are also acceptable.

Suspenders by Nick Sekeka (Skiller Licker)

Vendors: Jersey Skillet Licker, Regimental Quartermaster, CJ Daley

6. Drawers

Any documented pattern is acceptable. They should be constructed of canton flannel.

Drawers by CJ Daley

Vendors: Jersey Skillet Licker, CJ Daley

7. Socks

Wool or cotton, of period construction. Acceptable colors include gray, brown, off-white, red, green.

Federal Issue Socks by CJ Daley, Civilian Socks by Mrs. Lawson

Vendors: Jersey Skillet Licker, CJ Daley, Regimental Quartermaster, Evergreen Acres Farm

8. Bootees or Brogans

Brogans will be of black dyed rough out leather with leather shoe laces. Soles can either be pegged or sewn. You may wish to also purchase heel plates and/or hob nails.

Brogans by Mattimore Harness

Vendors: Mattimore Harness, Missouri Boot and Shoe, Jersey Skillet Licker, Orchard Hill Sutlery, C&D Jarnagin

9. Gaiters

Gaiters should be made of white canvas, and have a leather strap and buckle at the top. They must also use leather thong closures.

Gaiters by Jersey Skillet Licker

Vendor: Jersey Skillet Licker

10. Vest/Waistcoat

Military and civilian styles are both acceptable. Either style should be of the correct materials and should fit rather tight.

Military Style Vest

Civilian Vest by Nick Sekela

Vendors: Jersey Skillet Licker, CJ Daley, C&D Jarnagin, Quartermaster Shop

11. Greatcoat (Overcoat)

Foot pattern greatcoats should be contructed of sky blue kersey wool with a diaganol weave. The inside lining should be a brown or blue wool, with cotton muslin sleeve lining. There are five general service eagle buttons down the front of the coat, with 6 small eagle buttons on the cape. The skirt should be left unhemmed, and buttonholes should be hand sewn.

Foot pattern greatcoat

Vendors: Jersey Skillet Licker, CJ Daley, County Cloth, C&D Jarnagin, Quartermaster Shop

12. U.S. Issue Blanket

The blanket can either be the gray blanket with black end stripes, or the brown blanket with darker brown end stripes. Either version must be of a documented pattern, have the correct diaganol weave, and should have a 4 inch "US" stitched in the center of the blanket. Approximate size is 7 feet by 5 feet 6 inches, and should weigh about 5 pounds.

Keagy Noble Federal Blanket

Vendors: C&D Jarnagin (Keagy Noble Blanket), Waterside Woolen Mills (Keagy Noble Blanket), Quartermaster Woolens (Abe Thomas blanket), Jersey Skillet Licker, Fall Creek Sutlery (Grey blanket)

13. Gum Blanket/Ground Cloth/Poncho

Made of white linen with a rubber coating on one side and brass grommets. Ponchos are essentially the same except for a small slit in the center with a tin button closure. Also acceptable are the painted ground clothes.

Gum Blanket and Poncho by C&D Jarnigan

Painted Ground Cloth by Dell's Leatherworks

Vendors: C&D Jarnagin, Jersey Skillet Licker, Dell's Leather Works, Fall Creek Sutlery

14. Shelter Half

A shelter half is not needed, but if you wish to use a tent it must be of a correct pattern

Vendors: Jersey Skillet Licker, Haversack Depot

15. Haversack

Haversacks were made of tarred (painted) linen or cotton drilling. Inside is a cotton ration bag attached by three buttons. Buttonholes should be hand sewn. The shoulder strap should be approximately 45 inches in length, and should be adjusted so that the top of the haversack rides no lower than the waistbelt. The haversack is intended for carrying rations, utensils, plate and tin cup, not for storing "haversack stuffers!"

Haversack by Dell's Leatherworks

Vendors: Missouri Boot and Shoe, Orchard Hill Sutlery, Dell's Leather Works, Jersey Skillet Licker, Haversack Depot, Fall Creek Sutlery

16. Canteen

M1858 smoothside canteen should be made of tin. Cork stopper should be attached with either a cotton cord or chain and the canteen cover can be a gray or brown jean cloth or even pieces of an old federal blanket. The sling can be either leather or cloth.

Canteen by Dell's Leatherworks

Vendors: Orchard Hill Sutlery, Jersey Skillet Licker, C&D Jarnagin, Dell's Leather Works, Fall Creek Sutlery

Correct canteen covers can be purchased from Orchard Hill Sutlery or Dell's Leather Work

17. Cartridge Box and Sling

Either the M1861 or M1857 .58 caliber cartridge box is acceptable. Boxes are made of black leather. Cartridge box tins (2) are required. The cartridge box plate and breast plate should be attached with a small piece of leather. The sling is made of black bridle leather, 64 inches in length and 2.25 inches wide. When properly adjusted, the top of the cartridge box will sit even with the bottom of the waistbelt.

Cartridge Box and Sling by C&D Jarnagin

Vendors: Missouri Boot and Shoe, C&D Jarnagin, Orchard Hill Sutlery, Dell's Leather Works, Jersey Skillet Licker, Fall Creek Sutlery

18. Cap Box

Black leather, either standard or shield front box is acceptable. Should contain a cone pick loop and a strip of wool inside.

Cap Box by C&D Jarnigan

Vendors: Missouri Boot and Shoe, C&D Jarnagin, Orchard Hill Sutlery, Dell's Leather Works, Jersey Skillet Licker,
Fall Creek Sutlery

19. Leather Waistbelt and Buckle

Belts should be 1.9 inches wide and 38.5 inches in length, made of either black buff leather or bridle leather. It should also have either a leather or brass belt keeper (leather preferred), and a lead backed oval belt plate (puppy paw pattern preferred).

Waistbelt by C&D Jarnigan, Buckle by Orchard Hill

Vendors: Missouri Boot and Shoe, C&D Jarnagin, Orchard Hill Sutlery, Dell's Leather Works, Jersey Skillet Licker, Fall Creek Sutlery

20. U.S. Pattern Bayonet Scabbard

Must be a U.S. pattern made of black leather with a brass tip. Both the two rivet and seven rivet styles are acceptable.

2 Rivet Scabbard by C&D Jarnigan

Vendors: Missouri Boot and Shoe, C&D Jarnagin, Orchard Hill Sutlery, Jersey Skillet Licker, Fall Creek Sutlery

21. Knapsack

The Federal issue double bag knapsack should be made of black painted canvas with black dyed leather straps. Buckles should be japanned or painted black, and hooks should be brass. You may elect to wear a blanket roll instead of a knapsack.

Double Bag Knapsack by Jersey Skillet Licker

Vendors: Jersey Skillet Licker, Missouri Boot and Shoe

22. Rifle-Musket and Bayonet

The 1861, 1863, and 1842 Springfield rifles and the 1853 Enfield rifle are all acceptable, but the 1861 Springfield is preferred. Obtain a "defarbed" rifle-musket if possible.

TOP: 1853 Enfield Rifle from Company Quartermaster BOTTOM: 1861 Springfield Rifle

Vendors: Company Quartermaster, John Zimmerman, Lodgewood Mfg., Regimental Quartermaster, Fall Creek Sutlery

23. Tin Cup, Utensils, and Tin Plate

All mess gear should be made of tin. The tin cup should have a lipped bottom and a wire reinforced handle. The plate must be stamped or hot dipped tin, and 9-10 inches in diameter. A canteen half may be used as a plate or frying pan. The knife, fork and spoon must be made of tin with wood or bone handles. The spoon will have a fiddle shaped handle. Combination sets are acceptable if they are a documented pattern.

Tin plate, canteen half, utensils, tin cup and boiler (Orchard Hill Sutlery, C&D Jarnagin)

Vendors: C&D Jarnigan, Orchard Hill Sutlery, Jersey Skillet Licker, Regimental Quartermaster, Otter Creek Tinware

24. Other Items

There are several more items you will probably want to purchase including: Pocket knife Can Boiler Musket wrench Nipple pick Rifle cleaning oil Cleaning patches for the rifle Housewife Comb Mirror Toothbrush and toothpowder Handkerchief or towel Soap Matches and match safe Hardtack Gloves Scarf Wallet Pocket Watch Pipes Hemp cord Manuals of Drill

Poke sacks, Housewife, Leather Laces, Wallet, Lye Soap, Toothbrush and Toothpowder, Matches, Tompions Pocket Knife, Hemp Twine, and Hardtack Gloves, Scarf, and Gun Cleaning Kit (Wrench, wiper, cone pick, patches)

Please consult other members before making any purchases. They will help guide you in the right direction so that you do not waste money on incorrect gear.

Required Uniform and Equipment:
Frock coat, federal issue or civilian shirt, trousers and suspenders, socks, brogans, Hardee hat, waistbelt, cartridge box and sling, cap box, canteen, haversack, blanket, gum blanket, rifle-musket, bayonet and scabbard.