Equipment Requirements Regulations for The 3rd Texas Cavalry@ Federal Cavalry Minimum Standards Prepared by order of the Regimental Commander Denny G. Hair, Commanding 3rd Texas Cavalry 2st Edition November 17, 1997 Approved 07/11/95 These rules are to be a guide for Federal cavalry operations in the field (1861 to 1865) and camp areas. The prime objective is to give a common everyday cavalry trooper impression. I. UNIFORMS (Minimum Requirements) Enlisted Man 1. COATS Enlisted man's shell jacket. Yellow trim 2. TROUSERS Trousers must be mounted union sky blues. NCO Trousers with regulation yellow stripe 3. SHIRTS Shirt, pullover unbleached long sleeve muslin. As long as the shirt is period he can vary. 4. SUSPENDERS The suspenders may be plain cotton in the H or X style with leather button holes. 5. FOOTGEAR Footgear is to be a pattern 1861 mounted high-topped black mounted boot 6. HEADGEAR Kepi or Forage cap hat, with crossed saber insignia on top, regiment and company designation 7. OVERCOATS Great coat of a proper pattern federal equipment is required. It must be sky blue. 8. BUTTONS The buttons should be standard U.S. Army issue Note: These are the minimum uniform requirements for the Federal enlisted men Cavalry. A maximum effort has been made to reduce the amount of expense. You can have more if you wish. Only your pocketbook will slow you down. Federal Uniforms are standard as they were uniform in appearance during the Civil War. There were differences from one theater of operation to another and from one regiment to another. It is the intent of theses regulations to adopt a standard that will allow the regiment to adopt a standard uniform appearance. II. ACCOUTERMENTS 1. SABRE BELT It should be M1851 U.S. regulation sword belt and must be black. The belt is of very common use during war. It was an issue to the Federal cavalry and artillery. Buckles are eagle 51'. 2. HOLSTER The holster will be U.S. issue period style and black. It was worn on the right side. 3. CAP BOX The cap box is to be a 1850 U.S. cap box. It is to be black. 4. CARBINE CARTRIDGE BOX It will be U.S. M1860 and black. This issue will be the standard equipment for Cavalry. 5. CARBINE SLING It is issued federal cavalry. It must be black with brass buckle. 6. SPURS Federal issue brass style 7. GAUNTLETS It is to be deerskin and kidskin. III. WEAPONS 1. CARBINE The 58 cal. Sharps is the most common. Some kind is required. Some examples are: Federal breech loaders, Sharps, Spencer, Gallagher, Maynard, and Smith. No muzzle loaders and or lever action as they were the exception rather than the rule. 2. SABRES They are to be U.S. M1840 dragoon (wrist breaker) or U.S. M1860 light Cavalry model. Reproduction sabers can be purchased cheep. Don=t spend a lot on this. 3. PISTOL Steel frame revolvers. Some examples are the Remington M1858 and Colt M1860 Army or Colt M1851 Navy. 4. AMMUNITION You are to provide your own caps and other firing needs. Be your own judge on the amounts. IV. HORSE GEAR The following is the only acceptable saddle and tack used by the enlisted man. 1. SADDLE The M1859 issue is standard. This saddle had a rawhide seat with iron fittings and brass pommel and cantle shields. Skirts, sweat fenders, and stirrups (covered) should be proper period girth. 2. SADDLE BAGS The M1859 McClellan style required. It has two pouches, laced compartments, single straps, and is black leather. 3. HALTER The M1859 style is needed. It is of black leather with a six foot leather lead strap. 4. HEADSTALL/BRIDLE It is to be M1859 bit. It is to be black leather, single cheek buckles, period curb chain. It can be 1863 U.S. bit and period. 5. WATERING BIT (optional) The M1859 style is needed. It is to be black reins attached. 6. CRUPPER Black federal crupper. 7. BREAST STRAP (optional) Federal Breast strap (heart shape ) 8. LINK STRAP The M1859 style or 1863 style is acceptable. It is attached to the halter and allows you to hook the horses together for dismounted action. 9. SURCINGLE (required you will not mount up without it.) A must item to have with a McClellan saddle. 10. COAT STRAPS Six straps are needed to tie your gear to the saddle. 11. CARBINE SOCKET The M1859 style is to be used to keep your carbine from swinging while riding. This is not optional and will be used to secure your carbine. 12. NOSE FEED BAG This is used to carry feed for your mount. (required) 13. FOLDING CANVAS WATER BUCKET (optional) 14. SADDLE BLANKET A good quality dark blue wool blanket is required for use as a saddle blanket. A good back-up blanket is recommended to have. The back-up blanket is to be used as a dry pad going on the horse or used as a double pad. The 1851 federal issue blue wool with orange strip is the correct issue for the period. It has difficult to obtain. Use solid blue wool blanket in lieu of 1851 pattern until available. 15. BRUSH, CURRY COMB AND HOOF PICK These are common sense items that are required for the care of your horse. It must be period style if shown in camp. 16. BED ROLL At least one wool blanket of period style quilt is required. It needs to be attached to the cantle. The saddle blanket will be carried by coat straps or leather strings. 17. PONCHO It is good to have one at a rainy event. 18. HAVERSACK The Federal black issue painted cloth. 19. CANTEEN U.S. 1858 smooth side or bulls eye dark blue wool. You can have mounted black leather strap in lieu of white canvas issue. 20. TIN CUP/ FLATWARE and DISH The tin cup and implements for food substance are a necessity as food is cooked over an open fire are carried in a haversack. 21. DOG TENT Each trooper in Federal service was accustomed to a shelter half. It is most practical to acquire both halves as this will eliminate the necessity to sleep two to a tent. 22. WEDGE TENT The wedge tent was most common during camp life for the Federal Cavalry. They were carried on wagons and set up on company streets during fix positions when not on extended raids. V. CAMP RULES AND CAMP ITEMS In some campaigns the cavalry was mobile and did not pitch camp for extended periods. When it did the following are guidelines for camp life. The following suggestion apply to fixed billet areas depicting winter camp only. Most of these items were carried on wagons and would not normally appear at a field encampment. 1. EXTRA BLANKETS These can be used to cover modern items. Most period items are available and the need to have any modern equipment should be kept at a bare minimum. 2. BOXES These are to be period styles only. 3. MISCELLANEOUS CAMP ITEMS Any gear used in camp must be of period type. If there are any questions, ask the commander. 4. TENTS The tents for the enlisted cavalrymen are Dog Tents and Wedge Tents. All trooper were issued a shelter half. It is permissible to carry two shelter halves. We do allow the larger tents when we are camping as the smaller tents are not comfortable. Please be advised that some National Events dictate what size and type tent you will have. VI. HORSES AND MULES 1. HORSES AND MULES Each trooper should strive to obtain a dark color. It is recommended to have a bay, sorrel or black horse but not absolutely required. Do not purchase a paint or Indian pony, Appaloosa, or Palomino. Most National reenactments will not allow these breeds or colors. Some gaited horses are not recommended for this hobby as they have trouble at close intervals at a slow pace. It depends more on the horse than the breed. 2. QUARTER HORSES These horses had not been breed yet, but they are the most common around the area that would match period mounts. Any other breed may be used if it closely resembles mounts of the period. Common sense should be used as large draft horses etc would not be correct. 3. PURCHASES If you are going to go and buy a horse we have listed a few of the breeds and colors, that you might see at reenactments. The breeds are most common are Quarter horses, Morgan, Tennessee Walkers, Missouri Fox Trotters, Saddle Breeds, and Arabians. Other breeds are acceptable. Some of the above are gaited and are not generally recommended as their gait keeps them from staying in close formations. 4. COLORS If you are about to look for a suitable mount and can't pick the color the bay was the color of choice of the period. The colors that are acceptable are sorrel, grays, wines, blacks, some roan, duns, reds, browns, bays, some buckskins. 5. SIZE Horses should be close to around 15 hands high or bigger, depending on the rider. They can be smaller. It depends on the size of the rider. 6. TRANSPORTATION Remember if you are in the cavalry, you also need transportation and trailers facilities for getting your mount to the events. 7. QUESTIONS If you are unsure about a horse and you don't want to spend money needlessly, ask. The only stupid questions are the ones never asked. Federal Cavalry Officers Equipment Federal Regulations allowed its officers more latitude than that of the enlisted man. Officers may vary their equipment list to reflect this. I. OFFICER'S UNIFORMS (Minimum Requirements) 1. COATS Officers may wear the standard frock coat single or double row of buttons depending on their rank. They may wear the officers shell jacket of the same design and cut as was period and authorized by rank. 2. TROUSERS These will be mounted style with the standard yellow stripe as called for per regulations. They may elected to wear the dark blue early war style. NCO will have sky blue with the regulation yellow stripe. 3. SHIRTS Pullover style, cotton or wool many were private purchase as allowed by regulations 4. SUSPENDERS same as enlisted 5. FOOTGEAR Footgear is to be the standard officers style 1861 high top boot or other officer's style of the period 6. HEADGEAR There are several styles to chose from with the most common being the black slouch, kepi and forage cap (bummer). Enlisted men will wear the kepi or forage cap. Officers style hat chord is to be worn with the appropriate hat. The standard gilded embroidered crossed saber was most common and should be attached. 7. OVERCOAT This is the standard shy blue mounted version greatcoat. same issue as enlisted. Officers mat opt to have the officer's version although it is not required. 8. BUTTONS These will be the standard issue U.S. Army Regulation and will be affixed according to the appropriate rank. 9. SASH The sash is optional as minimum required equipment but should be crimson in color when worn. 10. SHOULDER BOARDS The shoulder boards bearing the appropriate rank will be the standard U.S. Army issue reflecting the cavalry branch with its yellow background. Quilted epaulets were seldom worn in the field but when worn must be of the period. Note: Officers serving in the U. S. Army were given greater latitude than their enlisted counterparts. They could and did vary their uniforms by private purchase, provided the private purchase was according to standard regulations relating to said item. Additionally, they carried equipment not issued to enlisted personnel that included binoculars, telescopes, map cases and personal effects bags. When officers carry theses items they should be of the period and reflect the normal style and construction of the period. II. ACCOUTERMENTS (Officers) It is recommended that all officers adopt the standard issue accoutrements as those required for enlisted personnel although it is recognized that higher quality private purchase equipment was available and used in the field. Though the equipment may be of private purchase the minimum required is the same as the enlisted personnel and is as follows: 1. SABRE BELT It should be M1851 U.S. officer's regulation sword belt and must be black. The belt is of very common use during war. It was an issue to the Federal cavalry and artillery. Buckles are officer's eagle model 1851. Officer did use the enlisted man's style when officer's standard issue was not available. 2. HOLSTER The holster will be U.S. issue period style and black. It was worn on the right side. 3. CAP BOX The cap box is to be a 1850 U.S. cap box. It is to be black. 4. PISTOL CARTRIDGE BOX Black leather must be federal standard issue 5. SPURS Federal issue brass style. Private purchase officer styles are acceptable 6. GAUNTLETS It is to be deerskin and kidskin. III. WEAPONS 1. SABRES They are to be U.S. M1840 dragoon (wrist breaker) or U.S. M1860 light Cavalry model. 2. PISTOL Steel frame revolvers. Some examples are the Remington M1858 and Colt M1860 Army or Colt M1851 Navy. 3. 1860 pommel holster These were used by officers and is optional piece of equipment and was used to carry extra pistols 4. AMMUNITION You are to provide your own caps and other firing needs. Be your own judge on the amounts. IV. HORSE GEAR (OFFICER'S) There are several types of saddles still in service and used by officers during the period of 1961 to 1865. There are several examples of the 1847 Grimsley, Campbell, Jennifer and others. An officers using this equipment should be familiar with it and know it was the exception to standard issue and used accordingly. Almost any period style was used but attention should be on the norm rather than the exception. It is perfectly acceptable for an officer to have an enlisted set of tack. 1. SADDLE 'S The M1859 was also standard issue for officers. This saddle had a rawhide seat with iron fittings and brass pommel and cantle shields. Skirts, sweat fenders, and stirrups (opened or covered) should be proper period girth. 2. SADDLE BAGS The M1859 McClellan style required. It has two pouches, laced compartments, single straps, and is black leather. 3. HALTER The M1859 style is needed. It is of black leather with a six foot leather lead strap. 4. HEADSTALL/BRIDLE It is to be M1859 bit. It is to be black leather, single cheek buckles, period curb chain. It can be 1863 U.S. bit and period. 5. WATERING BIT (optional) The M1859 style is needed. It is to be black reins attached. 6. CRUPPER Black federal crupper. 7. BREAST STRAP (optional) Federal Breast strap (heart shape ) 8. LINK STRAP The M1859 style or 1863 style is acceptable. It is attached to the halter and allows you to hook the horses together for dismounted action. 9. SURCINGLE (required you will not mount up without it.) A must item to have with a McClellan saddle. 10. COAT STRAPS Six straps are needed to tie your gear to the saddle. 11. NOSE FEED BAG This is used to carry feed for your mount. 12. FOLDING CANVAS WATER BUCKET (optional) 13. SADDLE BLANKET The Officer's saddle cloth (Shabraque) or the 1851 standard issue blue wool with the orange stripe are the correct saddle blanket. Due to the lack of availability of the 1851 pattern a good quality dark blue wool blanket is required for use as a saddle blanket. A good back-up blanket is recommended to have. The back-up blanket is to be used as a dry pad going on the horse or used as a double pad. 14. BRUSH, CURRY COMB AND HOOF PICK These are common sense items that are required for the care of your horse. It must be period style if shown in camp. 15. BED ROLL At least one wool blanket of period style quilt is required. It needs to be attached to the cantle. The saddle blanket will be carried by coat straps or leather strings. 16. PONCHO It is good to have one at a rainy event. 17. HAVERSACK The Federal black issue painted cloth. 18. CANTEEN U.S. 1858 smooth side Dark blue wool. Can have mounted black leather strap in lieu of white canvas issue. 19. TIN CUP/ FLATWARE and DISH The tin cup and implements for food substance are a necessity as food is cooked over an open fire are carried in a haversack. 20. OFFICER'S TENTING Campaign Each Officer is required to have a shelter half. It is most practical to acquire both halves as this will eliminate the necessity to sleep two to a tent. Officers should have a dog tent for field use. Camp Life If camp life is depicted on company streets. Officers used wedge tents and wall tents. Wedge tents were 6'x 6' x 6' and 6'x8'9"x 6'. Officer Wall Tents were 10'6'x11'6"x 7'x45" and 8'9"x 8'9"x 45'. Tent Fly (s) These came in two sizes. One was 11'6"Lx 13'x4" W and the other 8'x9"L x 14'2" W. They were normally used as an awning in front of the officer=s tent. They have been used separately.