You will find links to reputable sutlers that you can purchase uniform
items from on our Links Page.
| Brogans |
The "Jefferson boot" was the dress regulation shoe of foot
soldiers. The Jefferson meant a high quarter shoe or in its rougher form a "brogue" or
"brogan." The tops were moderately high with from two to five pairs eyelets for laces.
Soles were sewn to uppers or fastened by pegs, nails, and occasionally rubber. The variety
of types is mind-boggling. Most styles provided by sutlers are adequate. Our
recommendation is your first uniform purchase is a pair of rough-side out brogans. |
| Forage Cap |
The forage cap was commonly worn by soldiers during the Civil War. It has a
body made of blue cloth, a visor of painted leather and a chin strap of painted leather with
a brass buckle and small brass buttons. The sides collapsed so that the circular, stiffened
top tended to incline forward. |
| Trousers |
The enlisted soldier wore straight, cuffless "stove pipe" trousers, fairly
full. These trousers had a noticeable rise in the seat and the waist was cut much higher than
modern men's trousers. Creasing was unknown in those days and trousers were pressed round,
if pressed at all. U.S. army issue trousers were made of sky blue kersey. The trousers were
provided with suspender buttons and braces or suspenders were used vice belts to hold the
trousers up. |
| Braces |
Braces or suspenders were not issued by the Federal Government during
the Civil War. Soldiers would buy Braces from Sutlers or have them sent from home. Unlike
modern suspenders, there was no elastic in braces of this era. A common variety used
simple cotton cloth folded over, sew and attached in a simple X pattern to leather tabs
that attached in the front and rear of their trousers. |
| Sack Coat |
Federal Army sack coat was loose and formless, extending halfway down the
thigh, had a simple turnover collar and four large uniform buttons. It was made of blue wool
flannel and carried no braid or decoration of any sort. |
| Shirts |
The Federal Government contacted for shirts from numerous companies the
varieties purchased are dizzying, nearly 4 million shirts were purchased by the government
during the war. The contract requirement was for a pull over shirt with a turnover collar,
it had a single button at the neck for closure and was made of undyed domet flannel. This
was used as an undershirt or as the only shirt in warmer weather. There were over a
million shirts purchased by the government that were made of grey or tan wool flannel,
surviving examples have three or four buttons to close the neck, buttons on each cuff and
one or two chest pockets. Of course, Soldiers also did buy shirts from sutlers or had them
sent from home. |
| Socks |
The Government issued knit cotton and wool socks to Soldiers and their
loved ones at home would send additional pairs knitted by hand. Simple varieties made of
wool and cotton are acceptable and vital for long marches. |
| Drawers |
Drawers were the underwear worn by Civil War Soldiers. Although not
normally visible, a pair of period correct drawers completes the fatigue uniform. They
were made of canton flannel, extended from the waist to the ankle and closed with a pair
of buttons at the waist. In warmer weather, the soldiers would cut them off just below
the knee. |