We are Western theater "Light Infantrymen" of 1863

The following is provided as guidance on uniform and accessory requirements. The mandatory list is the basics we all have to have to re-enact as a infantry man. However, we all know that getting some Items will be harder than other’s for example: proper glasses, or musket. So you should get the items that will allow you to re-enact with us on the field, and save the extras for a later time. We always need musicians, (drummer, bugler, fifer), as well as a man to carry our flag.

A MUST for Company Inspection ;

Items placed on a poncho, white side up;

1. Three band Musket, 58 or 69 cal.     2. Cartridge box with sling, and 40 rounds.     3. Cap box, with at least 50 caps.     4. Black leather waist belt.   5. Bayonet and scabbard with leather or rope tie down.     6. Canteen, full of water.   7. Soft pack backpack or blanket roll;   a. Musket cleaning equipment, with 24 X 24 inch rag.   b. Tin cup, tin plate or tin cooking pan,   c. Period fork &  knife.  d. Wood, silver, or period spoon, e. Extra rag wool socks.  f. Some personal items and clothing extra (shirt).  I. Plus a dark color wool blanket,     8. Haversack with period food.

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Everyone of skill and courage is welcome to come,

 and "sling a musket" with us and experience our,

"lighting drill" and Living history!

 Come have fun with us, and experience the Elephant!

"Breathes there the man with soul so dead, who never to himself hath said, this is my own, my native land!"

"Sail on, O ship of State! Sail on, O Union, strong and great! Humanity with all its fears, with all the hopes of future years, is hanging breathless on thy fate!"

Our hearts, our hopes, are all with thee, our hearts, our hopes, our prayers, our tears, our hopes triumphant o'er our fears, are all with thee, are all with thee."

"Dulce et decorum est pro patria mori."

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Muskets

The regiment can use the 69 cal. smoothbore musket because this was the weapon issued to seven of the ten companies of the 72d Illinois regiment at least until after Vicksburg later in the war when they could upgrade their weapons. Company research has shown that company A, B, and about half of company C, our color company were issued at muster, a combination of 58 cal. Enfield's and 58 cal. Springfield's. Of course the dates on the musket lock plates should state a date before 1866 to be as authentic as possible. Replica muskets can be purchased at gun stores, gun shows, and at civil war events, or from Sutlers or gun dealers online.

Bayonet

Many Civil War reenactors today go by the slogan "filthy and authentic" this is not true. One major flaw in this belief is that the musket and bayonet should be filthy, rusty and tarnished. This is not the case at all. In fact many hundreds of accounts exist of men describing charges by the bayonet that occurred during the war, particularly at Shiloh and Gettysburg. Each roughly specifies that the men came on at us, their brightly polished bayonets glistening in the sun. So for our 7:00 AM camp inspection I will have a few sheets of 150 grit emory cloth and with a little of your elbow grease we of the 72nd Illinois can greet the Rebs to a glistening authentic bayonet rather then that old filthy sharp but un-authentic one.

Knapsacks

The most common knapsack issued to US troops during the Civil War was the 1855 model soft Knapsack, a double-bag contraption made of black painted canvas with leather straps. The bag was large and roomy, and with the right paint or tar, it was quite water resistant. Everything a soldier needed (almost) could be fit into the pack, which strapped onto the back by means of two shoulder straps and belt hooks. It should never have more then 23 pounds of weight in it. A bed-roll, of course, is just as good to supplement or replace a knapsack by rolling up inside a blanket your clothing and personal items.

Haversack

A haversack is a small bag carried on your left side and should hold some of your food, a plate, fork, knife, and spoon and also a small cup can be tied to the haversack strap. I have always carried food and personal items like tobacco, matches and a small first aid kit and cleaning equipment. This way when on the march for a few hours I will always have enough to get by on, or help others out. Some "Farb" reenactors who are not campaigners like to wear some of the gear empty to bulk up their appearance. The most common item is an empty haversack. A haversack has a meaningful purpose in that it allows you to have nothing in any of your pockets. Why? Because items in your pockets on long marches will rub you skin raw and bloody. A good reason for why our brothers in the civil war carried haversacks right.

 Basic Uniform, Mandatory, in order of importance

1. Headgear  >     Large Hardee Hat, a brass letter "A" on the front, with a brass infantry  horn and  a brass hat eagle, worn on the Hardee hat to hold up the left side flap of the hat, and a blue infantry hat cord. The Hardee with all it's brass and it's ostrich plume is used for parades and is the official hat of the unit. Other headgear is usable for non-parade and non-official events. Civilian hats were very popular, derby, top hats, mad hatter, gambler, as well as a large number and kinds of slouch hats.

2. Enlisted Frock Coat, dark blue, and lined is best for our unit and should have 9 brass U.S. infantry buttons with blue piping. A  Sack Coat of dark blue enlisted man’s lined, or unlined is less expense and also usable to get started. We would prefer a frock coat for parades and official events because the sack coat came out later in the Civil War. Also all the pictures of the unit show frock coats.

         >   Also, better to have one size larger then you need, wool will shrink,

          > Lose fitting clothing is also cooler in hot weather..

3. Trousers, U.S. Foot pattern sky blue. Better to have a size larger than you usually

   wear, wool will shrink so do not cut off extra wool material but fold it up inside of pants and sew in place.

4. Shirt, any Civil War period cut or color shirt with period buttons wood,  lead, tin, or horn, etc. If you can show that it was used you can wear it.
5. Suspenders, button-on style of cloth or canvas and leather.
6. Shoes, Jefferson Brogans (black or Brown) use foot pads in shoe. Period shoes have no arch support and you must be able to walk some distance in these. Use of period civilian shoes are also acceptable.
7. Socks, solid gray, white wool or rag wool, again if you can show that your color was used you can wear them.
8. Eye Glasses Period type frames. This is a hard one to do right away because of cost, though your face is what the public will see first. If possible when with the public take off your modern glasses.

B. Accouterments Mandatory, in order of importance

• Rifles must be a 3-band rifle with proper fitting bayonet. No 2-band rifles, carbines or flintlocks         allowed. Other original muskets will be considered on a case by case basis. Do not buy a rifle unless the bayonet fits on it properly. A lot of new men make the error of being told that sure the bayonet fits by the seller. Then, when they try it on there own they find that it will costs them a lot of bucks to have the bayonet ground down to fit. Save yourself some pain and check it out first.

4. Miscellaneous extras

10. Straight Razor, Suttlers sell this item.
11. Soap, Suttlers sell this item.
12. Examples of food items, just to name a few,

        Hardtack, or any home "made" like bread, salt pork, dried meats, and dried fruit. Potatoes, carrots, green beans, onions, rice, beans, cornmeal, apples, or peanuts in the shell. Whole bean coffee, Tea, Sugar, Salt and Pepper, eggs, bacon, beef and any in season fruits and vegetables are always welcome.

1. Drill, Company/Battalion and or Skirmish tactics will be taught as you attend unit training events. If you do not make company drill at an event, no skirmish or battle for that day. All weapons and equipment is inspected for safety during the day and all rejected equipment and weapons will be fixed or removed from the field for your personal safety and that of others.

2. Uniform The full uniform with hat is required for all guard mount, drill, skirmish, or battle, with at least the top button of the coat fixed. In camp the coat can be removed. However, if Ladies are in camp, the proper solder would have his vest coat on.

Proper Civilian clothing       ^    above   ^        

The small shelter tent in the right of this picture has a blanket for a door, and very little inside. This is correct, when you remember that as an infantry man you are going to carry as little as possible. Your total load of personal property and food should be under 20 pounds. One blanket wool or rubber blanket, part of a shelter tent, some rope, a shirt, socks, candle, and some other personal items.

3. Modern Items, Eye Ware

   All modern items must be stored in a vehicle, or completely out of sight from public view. Only keep in your tent what you absolutely need, but keep it hidden and tidy. This will enhance our impression. Do not wear modern items, such as wristwatches, school or decorative rings, necklaces earrings etc, or tattoos on face or hands

   Eye Ware, If you do not have period glasses, you will have to remove your glasses during public hours or while in formation. Contacts are possible, however, keep in mind the smoke and dust you will encounter.

4. Trash, Beverages, Foods, Camp Equipment, Smoking

   Trash, will be bagged and concealed out of sight in camp. No trash is to be put in the fire pit. All trash should be disposed of each morning before the camp opens to the public.

   Beverages, all beverages shall be stored in a well-hidden cooler or in a cooler that is covered by an appropriate period wooden box. All beverage consumed during an event will be kept in a period cup.

   Foods, all non-period foods and beverages will be kept away from camp unless hidden and may not be eaten publicly in camp.

   Camp Equipment, no CD’s, radios lawn chairs, TV’s or other modern camping equipment. Any modern sleeping equipment must be removed from military camp before 7:00 AM camp inspection.

   Smoking is permitted but must look like period smokes. Smokers can use clay, wood, or corncob pipes, cigars, or roll your own cigarettes.

    

5. Safety Regulations

We can have a large company if everyone, comes out together, and we each bring a buddy and a new man with us each time. Everyone I know only wants to be part of a big company, but, like all organizations today it is hard to find the people with the time, money, or willingness to make it happen. Every big organization we know of today like IBM, General Motors, Ford Motor company just to name a few all started with just one man's idea. I am open to new ideas what is yours?

For more information contact 72d Illinois Recruiter at;       EDopke@comcast.net