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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

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