That video you linked is unavailable

Farby! J/k

Haversack goes on the left side. At least, that's how we did it during the 125th.

@@ronaldrobertson2332 Yes the haversack still does go on the left side.

@@RobSchellinger Very Farby!!

I've never found a pair that fit me right XD.

@@toothpastetuber6026 Thats good haha! uniforms shouldn’t fit exactly right

Yeah I agree

That means an awful lot, thanks a ton.

What MORON is responsible for sending Union men to the HOT south in WOOL uniforms??? Next, why reenact the worst period of American History? Do you also go to rape scenes and reenact those crimes? Nothing noble or glamorous or good about war. You're doing nothing worthwhile at all. This is all in books and museums, no reason to be such a CLOWN.

@@noneone8726 that’s what clothing was made out of then and people were tough and when you grow up wearing stuff like that in heat then you get used to it. There was also cotton clothing but wasn’t always popular for military applications. Wool doesn’t rip or tear as easy as cotton clothing in my experience.

@@noneone8726 every war has rape and war crimes in them on both sides.

What MORON is responsible for sending Union men to the HOT south in WOOL uniforms??? Next, why reenact the worst period of American History? Do you also go to rape scenes and reenact those crimes? Nothing noble or glamorous or good about war. You're doing nothing worthwhile at all. This is all in books and museums, no reason to be such a CLOWN.

@@noneone8726 Assuming you are not just trolling, wool clothing has been used since ancient times. It is durable and keeps you warm even when wet. I find that even in hot weather, wool is not horrible to wear when you wear natural wicking fibers underneath it like cotton or linen. This is not to say that marching or working in a military uniform in the summer is going to feel "comfortable". I would hazard to say, however, that most reenactors are more uncomfortable today in the heat due to being overweight than the burden of the wool. As for why people do reenacting. Nothing teaches like experience. Now, I do not want to try and insinuate that reenacting is in any way, shape, or form like real war. It is not, and can never be, and thankfully so. As Desiderius Erasmus said, "War is delightful to those who have had no experience of it." People with the luxury of playing historical dress-up are lucky. That said, if you actually want to know how hot it feels to wear a Civil War uniform and drill, shoot, work, and play in one, none of the book reading in the world will convey what it really feels like than actually doing it will. If you want to know what it feels like to operate a crew-served weapon, like a cannon, and shoot targets 200 yards away, and learn each position's job, and operate the weapon accurately, safely, and effectively, you can real 1000 books about it but nothing delivers the lesson like actually doing it. You can read books about how grown men spooned together huddled under a canvas shelter in the cold, and how they all had to simultaneously and silently agree in the darkness to roll over at the same time, but you gain an entirely different appreciation for this kind of "camping" when you actually experience it. What does water taste like coming out of a hot canteen? How often do you have to clean a bayonet to keep it from rusting in the field? What does hardtack actually taste like? Was it really hard to chew? How do you cook pork belly in the field? How heavy is the standard military loadout a soldier carried? What does it feel like to walk all day in brogans with steel heel plates? How much "kick" does a 1861 Springfield have with a full service charge? What does it sound like when 1000 muskets go off at once? How did people learn to march in formations on command? I could go on and on and on. There are so many things in history that you can read about but the experience of doing them gives you a completely different insight and appreciation for what you read about in history books and look at in museums. Living history gives a very limited and murky glance back in time in a way that books and museums cannot do. It gives you a visceral appreciation of the hardships that people endured, and insight into the character of those that endured them.

@@noneone8726 your the only clown

@@noneone8726 My god, you’re quite ignorant, aren’t you? The entire point of reenacting is to teach others about the public. Not everyone likes to/learns by listening to teachers speak, not everyone likes to (or can) read, but they might like to be there, and see it with their own eyes. You’re the only “clown”.

Yup. I got a bit mixed up in the video because I thought it would reverse everything and... I got mixed up. I should remake this video with my newer gear.

What MORON is responsible for sending Union men to the HOT south in WOOL uniforms??? Next, why reenact the worst period of American History? Do you also go to rape scenes and reenact those crimes? Nothing noble or glamorous or good about war. You're doing nothing worthwhile at all. This is all in books and museums, no reason to be such a CLOWN.

@@noneone8726 Wool was the number one thing that people wore back then? People reenact the American Civil War in order to preserve history and teach it to a wider audience. I got my first interesting experience with history when I went to a reenactment, museums and books never did it for me until after I got introduced by reenactments.

@@noneone8726 Calm down there. If you hate it so much you shouldn’t have even clicked the video. History books don’t convey war as well as an actual scale reproduction of the battle. Hence reenacting.

@@noneone8726 You are ignorant. All we are doing is teaching history to others. We do not reenact those ‘rape scenes’ you seem to think is common among this hobby. This is simply a teaching hobby and a thing for people to forget about their problems especially. Also, if you have a problem with this then don’t click on the video and complain, maybe go to Twitter or Reddit. This is not the place to bitch about us.

Thanks for watching! Sorry about all the inaccuracies, I need to make an updated video with this.

Great advice!

Well, I am a bit young, only 17, whereas civil war soldiers were on average 23, but I figure I'm a young, early war volunteer who singed up for the glory.

@@toothpastetuber6026 Absolutely, there were many of those ;) I read that some would write the number 18 on a piece of paper and put it in their shoe. When asked "are you over 18?" They could confidently answer "Yes Sir!".

Thank you! I'm with the 20th ME Co. G based in the California bay area.

NOT REALLY

Glad you did Val! Sorry I didn't get right back, I was on vacation.

I love art! Once it's done you might post it on our Discord server so we can see it! Good luck, and I'm glad I could help.

Thank you, there are a lot of error however, so I'd encourage you to do your own research if you are interested further.

History is my passion still. I'm currently studying it at Grove City College, and am writing my senior thesis on the antebellum south. I hope you'll have a chance to engage with reenacting as much as possible, because it really brings history to life. I apologize for the lack of more recent content though, college takes up quite a bit of time and energy, and making videos isn't as important to me as it once was. I've greatly improved my impression however, and I really owe everyone a revision of this video soon. Perhaps over thanksgiving break. Cheers!

@@toothpastetuber6026 if you were a true ultra-hardcore reenactor, you would transfer to Boudin College just like Col. Chamberlain!

​@@Defender78 "Bowdoin," please...

Very true. I reenact with them in company E.

I'm really glad, it's a hobby near and dear to my heart, and I'm really glad you got a chance to do it to!

What MORON is responsible for sending Union men to the HOT south in WOOL uniforms??? Next, why reenact the worst period of American History? Do you also go to rape scenes and reenact those crimes? Nothing noble or glamorous or good about war. You're doing nothing worthwhile at all. This is all in books and museums, no reason to be such a CLOWN.

@@noneone8726 settle down there soy boy

Thanks for saying so!

Lots of groups have loner gear and will 100% be able to clothe and arm you for an event! Thanks for the encouragement as well.

Glad to hear it. Since this video I've unofficially made the swap to a different unit, but I'm still tight with the 20th Maine. Since I'm away at school I've only been able to attend a very few events. Glad this video helped, although look to the comments and description for some amendments others have made to correct my misinformation.

ToothpasteTuber where do i buy this

@@benjamin7935 Any sutlery would do, I bought mine from C&C. There is also Milk Creek and Fall Creek Sutlers.

What MORON is responsible for sending Union men to the HOT south in WOOL uniforms??? Next, why reenact the worst period of American History? Do you also go to rape scenes and reenact those crimes? Nothing noble or glamorous or good about war. You're doing nothing worthwhile at all. This is all in books and museums, no reason to be such a CLOWN.

Thanks for being so kind with the corrections. I'm planning on remaking this video to be more accurate, now that I have more on my own gear.

I agree about the button, but per army regs, we have to. Also about the haversack, I've since taken to wearing it on the other side as well due to me growing taller and my cartridge box hanging differently. Thanks for the anecdote!

Back before 135th Shiloh, our CO came up with the idea of stenciling the unit number and a roster number on the wool canteen covers. We were all 13 and I was number 45. This was so the water monkeys could get the right canteen back to the right guy. We were told that it was accurate, but I have never seen anyone else do it. Have you?

@@RobSchellinger I think historically, it was down to personal choice, since I've seen a few original canteen covers with initials and the unit name, but I don't think it was ever standardized by unit. That may have to do with the fact that in the 20th Maine, we rarely do water runs as a group, it's usually down to the individual, since water sources are pretty near by.

Thanks!

Yes I forgot to mention that, thanks! And best of luck to you as well.

Thank you.

Indeed! Thank you for noticing and bringing it up. All corps of the army had different cap badges, as you say, the Fifth corp, of which the 20th Maine regiment is part of, had the Maltese cross as their badge. The red of the cross tells the onlooker that soldier man belongs to the 1st division of that corp as well. Here's a link to the article on the corp badges: en.wikipedia.org/wiki/American_Civil_War_Corps_Badges

Thank you very much.

I bought my outfit from Fall Creek sutler here: fcsutler.com/ As to patch information, I would Wikipedia to find good sources: en.wikipedia.org/wiki/American_Civil_War_Corps_Badges

This makes you happy? 20+ years with all this modern access to information and this ridiculous disinformation continues.

​@@Tusk_IIIsometimes reenactors carry modern things or make mistakes, but nobody is perfect and sometimes they carry things soldiers would have, if they had been invented.

I hope to! It's too far ahead to make sure, but if my regiment attends, witch it's almost certain to, then I should be there!

my regiment's the 20th maine co G. Link to the website I maintain for it here: www.20thmainecompanyg.com/

@@toothpastetuber6026 According to the schedule on the website your regiment will be at Duncan's Mills. Let's hope so.

Yup! And reenactors have to deal with the same heat. On the east coast, reenactors sometimes carry cold packs or ice bags around to keep safe and cool. At the 150th Gettysburg event, we had 8 men down from heatstroke in our company alone on the first day.

Most reenactors I know are very peaceful friendly people. We do this hobby to educate, and bring closure to the bloodiest part of American history. The Civil War is over, thank God, and let's not go wishing for another. :)

I got my belt keeper along with all mny leathers from Fall Creek Sutlery linked here: fcsutler.com/ I said 'minder' in the video but it's called a keeper on the website. Sorry for the mistake.

Great question, and honestly, it comes down to heat management. The inner shirt layer of cotton, (not linen as I said in the video) (and drawers) absorbs sweat, and because wool is air-permeable, the outer layer allows the sweat to evaporate and cool you down. This is quite nice on a hot day if there's a light breese, and in winter, wool retains 80% of it's insulation value when wet. So unless it's storming, you can also be quite warm in cold weather or standing on guard duty in the snow. Soldiers also typically used the great coat in winter, and as a blanket at other times. You must remember that this uniform as worn all year around, and so while it may have been hot in summer, you would certainly be glad of having think wool come wintertime. Many accounts talk of new soldiers throwing away their great coats because of weight and claiming they were hot enough, but they all had to beg around in winter for another. (Another thing would be water. Having marched in full gear over 6 miles at a time, I go through at least a third of my canteens worth of water an hour, so keeping hydrated is very important. I even sewed myself a havelock to keep the sun off my neck!)

@@toothpastetuber6026 Thank you for the reply. I am from South Carolina and it gets really hot here and when ever I look like Civil War photography or paintings I always seen the men dressed up and such and I didn't know it was wool they used. I always believe it was cotton and this was something I should have remembered. It does make more sense now that you say that and it was meant to all year clothing back then.

@@StarClad13 What MORON is responsible for sending Union men to the HOT south in WOOL uniforms??? Next, why reenact the worst period of American History? Do you also go to rape scenes and reenact those crimes? Nothing noble or glamorous or good about war. You're doing nothing worthwhile at all. This is all in books and museums, no reason to be such a CLOWN.

​@@StarClad13I have also heard that some of the wool uniforms were actually much thinner than modern reproductions, and they were usually more outdoorsy people than today because, well they HAD to be

Yup! Hence the rifle bag. When home however, you shouldn't sore it in there or it'll patina and rust. Thanks for the tip!

@@toothpastetuber6026 The musket will be fine when transport it from home to events and back. Just don't leave in your car over night with your gear, you don't want stolen. I was at Perryville, KY event some stole Federal Soldier musket out of his car or tent? Can't remember??

They didn't have bedrolls as such, but they had blankets. The blankets as prescribed by the quartermaster of the union army are to be heavy, (5 pounds) thick wool.

This is a good choice for authentic grade gear: wwandcompany.com/

Certainly! I bought my uniform equipment at Fall Creek Sutler. A fine, middle of the road supplier of anything you may need.

Thanks. Since this video I've swung much more heavily into campaigner level gear, and my drawers are my favorite bit of kit besides the hat.

Thanks for the correction! I updated the description to highlight a few mistakes, as well as talking about it in my comment. Sorry for the mistakes, and thanks for the feedback! I'm with the 20th ME. Co. G.

I prefer the knapsack because I feel the blanket roll to be more bulky and hot. Also you can carry more with the knapsack. Accounts often speak to less physically capable soldiers who had been clerks or storekeepers (sitting professions) throwing away their knapsacks and most of their belongings, and only carrying the bare essentials in their blanket rolls.

Shirts were not standard issue by the army, so each man had to provide his own. Mine just happens to be white, but I also own a blue check one, and my father has a brown and yellow butternut type shirt

@@toothpastetuber6026Shirts were standard issue.

Find yourself a good unit with people who are enthusiastic about your specific area of excitment. Weather that be public engagement, campaign living, of just plain old hanging out with friends, the goals of the group ought to reflect your own. Also don't rush in a buy everything right away, because it's hecka expencive. Work up to it by using loner gear till you have everything. Remember too, that Reenacting is tax deductible, so most purchases you make, and other expenses are partially refundable by the government, because they like volunteer work.

@@toothpastetuber6026 thanks

Funny you mention that, I've just acquired a replica set of flint and steel and it is really easy to use. I must confess, the light is nice to light pipes with, but a stick from the fire works just as well.

The rifle is an Armisport model 1861 springfield. The bag I don't know about, and I can't remember if it came with the rifle since I bought it from a third party.

From personal experience, around 400 to 500 dollars for good quality equipment

Thanks, although I've had problems with it not lighting. I've since taken to matches, since they're more reliable.

@@toothpastetuber6026 the problem could be there's no Flint (which needs to be replaced) or you haven't been refilling your lighter every two to three days.

@@devinpetersen2387 that latter could be it. My light might lay unused for a few weeks, and then I fill it up and it works for maybe 2 or 3 lightings and then stops. It makes sparks, but no flame.

Got mine at Fall Creek Sutler, but that's a very 'mainstream' or cheap and historically inaccurate place to get gear. Great for starting out like I was in the video, but sub par for historical accuracy. I recommend Wambaugh and White company for authentic gear, though it's much more expensive.

Same to you Johnny reb! See ya in hell!

+ToothpasteTuber You too "Billy Yank!"

1, I didn't know that that's really cool. I love European jargon. 2, The cross is the symbol of the 5th corps of the union army, and the fact that it's red means that I belong to the 1st division. I'm in the 20th Maine Infantry, Company G. 3, I really want to sew my own havelock to go over my cap, but in lieu of that, I wear a handkerchief under my cap. 4, I'm not sure about this since the time between ration issuing varied, but I'm pretty sure officers were given food too.

@@toothpastetuber6026 Red marks the 1st Brigade. White was used for the 2nd & blue for the 3rd. I was in the 1st Brigade, 1st Infantry Division (FIRST OF THE FIRST). Around the time WW I ended, 28 June 1919, the First Brigade's Officer Commanding (OC), a Brigadier General, made the first copy of THE BIG RED ONE. Webb Garrison wrote "Curiosities Of The Civil War". Pages 476, 477, & 479 from Chapt. 41 "Payday, Someday". An officer had to provide his own food. Enlisted men (EM), or dog robbers, added to their bi-monthly pay by scrounging food for an officer. Official payday was End Of Month (EOM) Feb., April, June, August, & October. 5 December was the year's last. At least one unit was payless for more than one year.

@@leondillon8723 huh that's really interesting! I'd never heard this before! Thanks for letting me know.

That is really neat, but I feel the need to point out that it's a bummer cap not a kepi cap

@@leondillon8723The color denotes division and the badge denotes corps.

Thanks for the correction, and I totally agree. Sewing is one of the most useful skills you can have, as a reenactor or in normal life. I personally wear the haversack on that side, but in the manual of arms, it's shown worn on the other side. I just prefer it there.

@@toothpastetuber6026 it's all good...just giving you a hard time!...one reenactor to another!!!...lol

@11Broomstick perhaps, although another commenter informed me that I wear mine on the wrong side. The manual shows them wearing it on the other, but I like it better the way it is in the video.

Meet different groups and talk to them. It's no secret a lot of confederate reenactors are right-wing, but lots are policemen or firefighters. Good honest guys who understand the difference between history and modernity. You might disagree with them, but what unites us all is out love of history. Give it a try and ask to borrow gear till you are settled in. Ps. Sorry for the late reply.

Also, try getting the Union stuff first because some of it can be interchangeable, and be ready to portray either side if numbers make it needed.

If you want to smoke a pipe, I would say carry some loose leaf tobacco, (AKA just the normal pipe stuff) but remember, in between events it will dry out and be unpleasant to smoke. Try to get new stuff or use up the old stuff before events. Soldiers would have also used plug tobacco which is harder to find, but keeps for a long time. The chewing type stuff will come in tins but almost all you will find are modern, so you'd be best going with the previous 2 types. Of all the types, I'd tell you get loose leaf, since it's the easiest to find and can be used for pipes, rolling cigarettes, or for chewing (if you're adventurous).

@@toothpastetuber6026 Thanks! Keep up the amazing work.

@@CW-dl2dd Thank you!

I've observed it to work better, and since I don't need to get into it expect to stop at mealtimes, it works very well. If you have a different experience please tell me straight instead of patronizing. Uptight gentlemen like you give the hobby's 'stichcounters' a bad name.

Yeah I was a bit flustered when I made this, but I'll have to remake is soon since I also have new gear to show.

some soldiers would have done this, but it was usually the other way

Lol I hope lack of 'hard labor' didn't detract for your enjoyment and education of the video.

@@toothpastetuber6026 I'm off the farm on vk it's an ass but it pays well

They do have some great gear, for clothes Wambaugh and White co. is great. I got a pair of drawers and a pair of great knit socks from a lady on Etsy.

In my opinion, they have good drama stuff, but most of their gear is a bit farby, but some of their camp furniture or their other stuff is decent, but for the actual uniform try Fall Creek Sutlery or James County Mercantile

@@definitely_not_Hirohito thank you for the heads up looking at getting a new bucktail brigade uniform.

@@rc59191 glad to help! C and C does have some things I think are about accurate, like spices, but I don't know so it's best to be careful with them, and shipping prices can really be rough.

There is plenty of photographic evidence that infantrymen on both sides carried non-issued weaponry, but it was more common in artillery branches. You'll have to do some research into it's prevalence though, and always remember: Was it 'NUG?' Normal, usual and general. if so, I'd include it in your impression, if not, either don't include it, or remember to impress upon the public that it is an interesting exception to the rule.

For entry level gear Fall Creek Sutler is your way to go. ( ie. What you see in the video) For more accurate and 'campaginer' level quality, Wambaugh and White have good stuff, but I would really recommend getting into the hobby at entry level first before investing in an extremely accurate (and expensive) uniform

@@toothpastetuber6026 Thank you! At the moment I am just looking to collect some gear. I have an address in the US but I live in the U.K. and am British myself so unfortunately I can not do civil war re-enactments (to my knowledge, if you know a way please let me know)

@@JetstreamAviation747 There are civil war reenacting groups outside the US. There's a company of the 20th Maine unit in Germany. I don't think they do reenactments, but if you put together a uniform and leathers and do historical interpretation gigs that could be a way to do living history. Talk to local museums and history centers to see if they'd be interested in having you come and talk about your impression. Cheers!

For brogans, C and D Jarnagin has some pretty accurate ones

As with everything, it depends. Forage caps were more common than kepis as a rule, but as private purchase items, they were reasonably common in southern regiments where the men had some money. (Planter's sons, that type of thing). Do some research and find out if the Liberty Rifles have any info on your question, as they have a whole page of photographic evidence about dark blue trousers. I kid you not.

Other than the size, what is the main difference between kepis and forage caps?

@@definitely_not_Hirohito the cut. Forage caps have a crumpled, folded appearance because they are cut like a tall early 1800s shako. They just have no inner support that holds that shape, kepis are cut to be low, more like a baseball cap.

@@toothpastetuber6026 ok, thanks!

A good starting Sutlery is Fall Creek Sutlery and C and D Jarnagin has pretty accurate brogans

It's one possible explanation, but I agree. I'm always skeptical of those 'And that's the origin of the phrase...' things.

@@toothpastetuber6026 I have studied and made forage caps for over 30 years and have never found any documentary evidence of why they are called "forage" caps. Same with the use of the term "bummer" regarding forage caps.

@@dustyrustymusty3577 That's really interesting! Do you folks in the business have a different, more proper name for them?

@@toothpastetuber6026 They are simply called forage caps or fatigue caps.

Fall Creek Sutler is great for entry level gear. More expensive and accurate (not to mention comfortable) gear may be found at Waumbaugh and White, and stuff like that. Look on forums. :D

Some guys or gals in the hobby use original weapons from the civil war, but most purchase fully functional replicas from Italy or Japan. Mine is an Italian Armi Sport 1861 model Springfield. All the guns we take onto the field are by necessity 'real' because they are able to fire powder.

ToothpasteTuber ok well that explains it. Thanks a lot!

@@samthemaskmaker2948 Sure thing!

20th ME Volunteer Infantry. Co. G.

Just go to FallCreekSutler online to get started with mainstream, cheap end gear.

@@toothpastetuber6026 thanks!

Perhaps, although another commenter informed me that I wear mine on the wrong side. I personally wear the haversack on that side, but in the manual of arms, it's shown worn on the other side. I just prefer it there! :D Thanks.

what items are you looking for and whats your budget?

It's highly dependent on budget, but Fall Creek Sutlery (fcsutler.com/) is a good entry level, mainstream supplier. More period accurate gear can be found at Wambaugh and White company's site (wwandcompany.com/) Whatever gear you get should be a balance of authenticity and price, and while more assholish reenactors may scoff at mainstream gear, if it's all you can afford, it's all you can afford. Happy hunting!

@Ronnie McDonnie anything but nothing over $300

@@totallynotatank1141 hey!! Like some else said fall creek sutlery, great entry level stuff. ww&co is also phenomenal but will get a bit pricey. I will say with this hobby if your planning on staying for the long haul just get the more expensive gear it will look a lot better and last a lot longer. Another good coat maker is Kwindahl For leathers Missouri boot and shoe For blankets and civilian stuff south union mills For hats dirty billys (cannot recommended him enough. He’s a bit pricey but again absolutely phenomenal) That should start you out pretty good. Again for the cheaper stuff if your just getting into the hobby then fall creek is solid. If you want to go the more authentic/campaigner route all the other makers I listed should be good . Hope this helps and welcome to the hobby!!!

@@toothpastetuber6026 fc sutler isn’t working for me

Depends very much upon how accurate you want the kit to be. Mine was around 300 dollars, but for 600 I could have had a very accurate uniform. The rifle was 1000

Didn't have one at the time. I do now though.