UNIFORMS AND EQUIPMENT
Uniforms
Basic Uniform
This is the basic uniform that members of Co. H 3rd Arkansas acquire first. It covers the standards required at events attended by the company.
Jacket
Richmond Depot Type II Shell Jacket
Commutation Shell Jacket
4 Button Sack Coat Issued by Depot System
Trousers
Richmond Depot Trousers
Headgear
Kepi
Slouch Hat
Footwear
Military Brogans
Civilian shoes
Imported shoes
Shirt
Army of Northern Virginia Issue
Civilian
Knapsack
Pritchard Knapsack
Kibbler Knapsack
Issaac & Campbel Knapsack
Federal Doublebag Knapsack (Limited use)
Rifle
Converted Flintlock Musket
1842 Springfield
P53 Enfield
1861 Springfield
Blanket
Confederate Manufactured Wool or Jean Cloth Blanket
Civilian wool or Jean Cloth Planket
English Import
Period Construction Quilt
PeriodCoverlet
Confederate Issue
Haversack
Catridge Box
Canteen
Belt
Cap Pouch
Bayonet Scabbard
After the basics are acquired, members are highly encouraged to fine tune their impression into several time specific impressions researched to 3rd Arkansas throughout the war.
Spring and Summer 1863
Fall 1861-1862
In November of '61 3,000 sets of uniforms were completed at the Little Rock Penitentiary. The first of the uniforms were sent to the units in Virginia. The uniform was a frock coat of the same construction as the federal pattern. The regulations call for it to be made of grey jean with blue trim on the color and cuffs. However, there are several accounts of them being made of several different colors of jean including "butter nut", light grey, and even dirt brown, with trim of several different shades of blue, and even black.
The uniform also consisted of a forage cap of various shades of grey, and trousers made of grey jean cloth.
Uniform
Jacket
Little Rock Penitentiary Frock Coat (Preferred)
Type I Richmond Depot Jacket
Commutation Jacket
Civilian Sack Coat
Trousers
Grey Jean Trousers Black with Stripe (Preferred)
Richmond Depot Trousers
Head Gear
Forge Cap With black crown and trim
Slouch Hat
Kepi
In the spring of 1863, 3rd Arkansas began drawing uniforms and equipment from Richmond Depot. This consisted of Type II Richmond Depot shell jackets and trousers.
This is the uniform they would march into Gettysburg in.
Uniform
Jacket
Richmond Depot Type II Shell Jacket
4 Button Sack Coat
Trousers
Richmond Depot Trousers
Headgear
Slouch Hat
Kepi
Fall/Winter 1863
In the fall of 1863 the 3rd Arkansas would transfer, along with the rest of Longstreet's Corp, to the western theater of the war. Before they transferred, they drew new uniforms and equipment.
The shell jackets and kepis made from blue grey English Army cloth. The trousers were made of blue wool.
Uniform
Jacket
Richmond Depot Shell Jacket made of English Army Cloth
Trousers
English Imoport Trousers made of Royal Blue Wool
Richmond Depot Trousers made of Royal Blue Wool
Headgear
Kepi made of English Army Cloth
Slouch Hat
In 1864, Longstreet's Corp returned to the Army Of Northern Virginia. 3rd Arkansas resupplied, receiving new Richmond Depot shell jackets made of English Army cloth. This would be the standard issue for the duration of the war.
1864
Uniform
Jacket
Type III Richmond Depot Shell Jacket made of English Army Cloth
Trouser
Imported Trousers made of Royal Blue Wool
Richmond Depot Trousers made of Royal Blue Wool or Domestic Fabrics
Headgear
Slouch Hat
Kepi
Late 1864-1865
In the fall of 1864, while entrenched around the city of Petersburg, new uniforms arrived for the Army of Northern Virginia. Along with the standard Richmond Depot uniforms, uniforms produced in Ireland by Peter Tait & Company began to arrive.
The shell jackets were made of the same English Army Cloth as the Richmond Depot Jackets, but were trimmed in blue and red. Some had solid trim, and some were piped. The Trousers were made of the same cloth, but had red or blue flannel trim running down the outside leg.
The Army of Northern Virginia primarily wore these two uniforms until the surrender at Appomattox in April of 1865
Both RDIII and Tait Jacket side by side. Tait Jacket on the left has solid blue trimmed collar & epaulette. RDIII has untrimed collar and no epaulettes.
Uniform
Jacket
Richmond Depot Type III made of English Army Cloth
Peter Tait & Co Shell Jacket
Trouser
Richmond Depot Trousers
Peter Tait & Co Trousers
Head Gear
Slouch Hat
Kepi made of English Army Cloth
Tait Jackets trimmed in solid red