Co.B 9th Kentucky Volunteer Infantry
Portraying Eastern & Western Troops of both sides of the War Between the States 1861 - 65
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Army of the Cumberland/Army of the Tennessee
Co.B 84th
Illinois at Blue Springs, Tenn, April 1864
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Co.C 56th
Illinois at Corinth, Miss, 1862
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Co.A 18th
Ohio at Chattanooga, Nov.1864
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The vast majority of Western Federal impressions in European Civil War Re-enacting will encompass the Army of the Cumberland and the Army of the Tennessee from mid to late 1863. There would not be much between the two armies in the way of dress apart from the larger-scale wearing of the Issue Hardee hat by the AOTT.
There was a mix of Dress Coat (Frock Coat), Fatigue Jacket (Sack Coat) and Roundabouts (Shell Jacket), in both armies from 1862 through to early 1865. By 1865 though, the SackCoat is seen almost exclusively.
.
Fatigue
Jacket (Sack Coat) showing lining
Original Frock Coat and Repro side by side
Sack Coats were, in the main, produced by the Federal Arsenal at Schyulkill and by various Contractors, to a Federal pattern throughout the war. To simplify matters, it can be said that unlined Sack Coats would mainly be found in the East, through the Schyulkill Arsenal and lined Sack Coats in both theatres, usually through Contractors. By early 1864, Commercial Sack Coats (usually longer versions with added external pockets) began to appear in large numbers, probably due to the number of re-enlisting Veterans returning home for their months furlough.
I would suggest a Contractor's Lined Sack Coat for a Federal impression, as this can be used for both Eastern and Western impressions.
The issue Hardee hat was worn all year round, and the wide brim is particularly useful for shade from the sun and to protect your face (and pipe) from downpours. Soldiers would wear them as issued, or alter the crown and the brim to suit themselves. In many photos, the Hardee is worn at an angle on the head. This could just be an affectation of style, although personal experience suggests they were worn this way so as not to get in the way of the rifle when performing 'Shoulder Arms' and 'Right Shoulder Shift'. It is important, when buying a Hardee, to make sure the hat 'perches' on your head, rather than fits 'over. It will never look right if you buy a hat that is too big.
There is generally a mix of Western soldiers wearing or not wearing badges of rank, cartridge box plates, breastplates and hat/cap badges. For a generic Western impression, it is probably best not to wear any brasswear on your hat/cap, and mix and match with your pards for accoutrement plates. For fixed camp scenarios, Officers and NCO's can wear their badges of rank, but for a Campaign Impression, it is probably best to be as plain as possible.
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Army of the Potomac
Co.I, 57th Mass June 1864 (Click on pic to enlarge)
Co.K, 61st New York Aug 1864 (Click on pic to enlarge)
VI
Corps Soldiers, May 1863, Salem Church, Va.
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enlarge)
'White-gloved, bandbox, papercollar soldiers' was how most Westerners described Eastern soldiers in 1863. In camp, yes, this would have been the case. General Hooker's recent order requiring the men to sport Corps Badges on their caps and hats; his reorganisation of the Army following the disastrous reign of Ambrose Burnside involving more drill, regular Dress Parades, policing of Camps, better personal hygiene and better rations, would have meant a well-turned out soldier in early 1863.
However, the Army of the Potomac 1863 Impression usually centres around the Gettysburg Campaign. So, although derided by Western soldiers, a good AOP impression for that time of year would have those men dirty, dusty and careworn. For, despite the fact that this Army was closer to Washington and it's Politicians and office-seekers, and consequently the Officers would have been under more pressure to keep the men fully accoutred and soldier-like, the Army marched hurriedly for days to head off Lee in Pennsylvania, with no time for the finery of dress parade and washing.
Although the Frock Coat is much in evidence still, unless you can document it to the unit whose impression you are undertaking, a better generic impression of an 1863 Eastern Federal will require a sack coat.
Headgear would consist of the enlisted Forage Cap or the Kepi, depending on the unit. A nice touch is the private purchase McDowell brim Forage Cap. Brasswear can be worn on the headgear, but in order to keep your impression simple, it is probably best to wear just a Company letter and the particular Corps badge of the Division you are taking off. Bugle horns and Regimental Numbers just mean more stuff to be kept clean! NCO's may wear good looking 'plug hats' to further their impression.
A full set of leather wear and box and breast plates is required for the Eastern impression, clean or not.
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Army of Tennessee
Confederate
Army of Tennessee prisoners at Chattanooga, Nov. 1863
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Army of Northern Virginia
Army of
Northern Virginia Prisoners at White House Landing, Va., June
1864
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