Perhaps the best possible way to learn about Confederate history is to live and breathe it for a bit. The only way to do that, short of the invention of a time machine, is to get involved with the reenacting community. There are groups all over the country that reenact the Civil War era as a hobby. They do this to help educate the public as to what life was like during the early 1860s and because it is absolutely a blast to do. Until you have actually marched a mile in the same type of shoes a Confederate infantryman would have worn, you will never truly understand what that experience might have been like.

      Prospective reenactors should find a group that meets their individual needs. There are many types of units to get involved with, from the ultra-hardcore who insist on total authenticity and immersion in the experience to the casual groups who get together on weekends to help educate the public. The group that you will want to affiliate yourself with will depend on what you are looking to get out of the experience.

     The purchase of your first uniform and accouterments can be somewhat daunting but usually you will find members of your new unit more than willing to loan out equipment to someone that is new to the scene. This fact is especially true when debating the purchase of a rifle as these can cost in the $400 – $500 range. You might want to try out your first few events with a loaner weapon before you decide this hobby is for you.

To form a basic Confederate infantryman impression you will need the following items.

· Shirt – Latitude is allowed.  Cotton shirts sold by sutlers are your best bet.  Avoid plastic buttons and modern shirts.

· Hat – The normal eastern impression would use a forage cap, kepi or slouch hat.  It is best to keep them as plain as possible.  Confederates about 80% of the time used slouch hats.  Hats can come in any color; however, brown, blue, black or gray are preferred.

· Coats – This depends greatly on the theatre the unit you are involved with is attempting to portray. It’s always best to check with your unit before making a coat purchase.

· Trousers – You will most likely be asked to purchase jean wool trousers with a button fly, and held up by suspenders.  The color should be gray, brown, or some earthy color.  Jean wool is much cooler and was more common for the Confederate soldier during the war.  Sky-blue kersey wool pants can be purchased later if you want to expand your impression.

· Accouterments

o Cartridge Box (with tins)

o Cartridge Box Strap

o Waist Belt (keeper optional)

o Cap Box

o Belt Buckle

· Canteen - This is a must.  You should never take the field without a full canteen of water.  You can get an original tin type or a stainless steel.  The latter looks no different and will not rust.

· Haversack – Black tarred, canvas sack which is hung over the shoulder containing rations, housewife (sewing kit), tobacco, etc.  Not a necessity but generally part of the standard kit.

· Brogans (shoes) – These can be rather expensive.  Many different styles are sold by many different suppliers.  The quality varies.  The most important consideration is that they are comfortable.  You will be doing a lot of walking in these shoes as an infantryman and you should be sure that they fit well WITH a heavy pair of wool socks on.

     I cannot recommend highly enough the benefits you will get from participating in the reenacting experience. Not only will your own knowledge of Confederate history grow by leaps and bounds but you will be helping to teach the public what you know as well. The first time you find yourself marching onto a smoke shrouded battlefield amid the cacophony of cannons and din of musket fire, you will find yourself instantly teleported to the time of our ancestors. It is truly an experience that you never forget and the closest you will ever come to actually living Confederate history.