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Greetings!
Work has kept me quiet here way too long! I was thrilled to receive a call from the Widow's Sons Mess (all of them on speaker phone) and be invited to organize and command the 44th Missouri to represent the Federal side at the 150th Franklin Living History. We have been working quite a bit behind the scenes to prepare an excellent experience.
Here is the Uniform Guidelines for the event. Please note three big things:
1. If at all possible, bring an Enfield.
2. Please no Hardee hats.
3. Wear a knapsack with overcoat rolled on top.
All three of these requests are made because of accounts we have either from the history of the 44th or a regiment surrounding it that wrote about the new men.
With that condensed version presented, here they are.
These guidelines are written to help best recreate the 44th Missouri as they looked at the Battle of Franklin. They are a work in progress and might change a little as we get more information. Where specific uniform choices are made, we will share them with you.
It goes without saying, all uniform items are to be made of proper materials, patterns and construction. Items such as modern glasses, watches and stainless steel are unacceptable.
Headgear –
1. Forage Cap – based on a conversation with Eric Jacobson, author of “Baptism of Fire,” he saw caps listed as what was issued in the 44th’s returns.
2. Civilian hat
Per the same conversation with Mr. Jacobson, he said definitely that they we not issued hats. Please avoid Hardee hats for this living history!
Trousers
1. Sky-blue, US enlisted footman’s trouser of any proper pattern. (Given the geographical region, we recommend choosing a pattern other than Schuylkill arsenal, if you have a choice.)
2. Trousers may be held in place by any braces or belt of proper construction.
Jacket
1. Fatigue Blouse – Mr. Jacobson also noted seeing blouses as issued to the men. This is our first choice for this living history.
2. Frock Coat – The Frock is currently recommended as the only picture we currently have of an original member of the 44th shows him wearing a fitted jacket rather than a blouse. However, the records do not note them as issued.
Overcoat
1. Footman’s pattern overcoat – given time of year and letters by veterans seeing raw recruits with overcoats strapped to their knapsacks, we recommend bringing one if at all possible.
Firearm
1. Enfield – The book “Baptism of Fire” lists the regiment as receiving Enfield Muskets on September 19, 1864 - p. 13
2. Any .58 caliber Springfield (55, 61, 63)
3. Any .69 caliber Springfield as a last resort
Footwear
1. Jefferson brogan – the regiment is noted about a month after Franklin to have members marching barefoot in the freezing weather. There is no such note yet at Franklin.
2. Private purchase boot or shoe.
Accouterments –
We are blessed to have access to a set of Accouterments worn by Private William H. Oliver of Company E. They are in the Matt Woodburn collection. These will guide our impression.
1. Federal Cartridge Box –Per Paul D. Johnson’s “Civil War Cartridge Boxes of the Union Infantryman,” this is a pattern of 1861, .58 caliber box. This box is our first choice for boxes represented. The back of the belt shows signs of wear on the straps that would attach it to the waist belt. Given this, we recommend members of our recreated 44th MO wear their cartridge box on the belt.
2. Federal Cap Box – There is an added brass decoration on the front of this one but the finial is still on the bottom to close it.
3. Federal late war belt – The existing belt has the brass keeper in place.
4. Bayonet scabbard – The original set of leathers does not include the bayonet scabbard. Gaylord pattern scabbards of either two rivet or seven rivet construction are acceptable for this impression.
Haversack
1. US issue, black haversack of proper construction – handsewn or machine sewn are acceptable.
Canteen
Preference in canteen is given to the later war variant. Also, as late as the fight is, a proper cloth sling is preferred to the earlier leather sling. Please use a cloth sling if at all possible.
1. 1862 Bulls-eye canteen
2. 1858 Smooth side canteen
Knapsack
1. M1855 Double-bag knapsack – Due to two references in “Baptism of Fire,” we strongly recommend the Double-bag knapsack over the blanket roll. Please use the coat straps to do what they were made for – to hold your overcoat on top.
2. Blanket roll – Strongly discouraged, but accepted if necessary.
Shelter
1. Shelter Tent – As we will camp at an army fort on Saturday night, please bring a shelter half and pair up, ahead of time if possible, to make your tents.
Mess ware and small items
1. All to be of proper material and construction. Wherever possible, please bear in mind this regiment was mustered barely 10 weeks before the Battle of Franklin. Though the gear saw some service, it definitely hadn’t been through years of fighting. Specifically, we discourage the use of canteen halves when possible.
Thanks for reviewing these!
Will
Work has kept me quiet here way too long! I was thrilled to receive a call from the Widow's Sons Mess (all of them on speaker phone) and be invited to organize and command the 44th Missouri to represent the Federal side at the 150th Franklin Living History. We have been working quite a bit behind the scenes to prepare an excellent experience.
Here is the Uniform Guidelines for the event. Please note three big things:
1. If at all possible, bring an Enfield.
2. Please no Hardee hats.
3. Wear a knapsack with overcoat rolled on top.
All three of these requests are made because of accounts we have either from the history of the 44th or a regiment surrounding it that wrote about the new men.
With that condensed version presented, here they are.
44th Missouri Uniform Guidelines
150th Battle of Franklin Living History
150th Battle of Franklin Living History
These guidelines are written to help best recreate the 44th Missouri as they looked at the Battle of Franklin. They are a work in progress and might change a little as we get more information. Where specific uniform choices are made, we will share them with you.
It goes without saying, all uniform items are to be made of proper materials, patterns and construction. Items such as modern glasses, watches and stainless steel are unacceptable.
Headgear –
1. Forage Cap – based on a conversation with Eric Jacobson, author of “Baptism of Fire,” he saw caps listed as what was issued in the 44th’s returns.
2. Civilian hat
Per the same conversation with Mr. Jacobson, he said definitely that they we not issued hats. Please avoid Hardee hats for this living history!
Trousers
1. Sky-blue, US enlisted footman’s trouser of any proper pattern. (Given the geographical region, we recommend choosing a pattern other than Schuylkill arsenal, if you have a choice.)
2. Trousers may be held in place by any braces or belt of proper construction.
Jacket
1. Fatigue Blouse – Mr. Jacobson also noted seeing blouses as issued to the men. This is our first choice for this living history.
2. Frock Coat – The Frock is currently recommended as the only picture we currently have of an original member of the 44th shows him wearing a fitted jacket rather than a blouse. However, the records do not note them as issued.
Overcoat
1. Footman’s pattern overcoat – given time of year and letters by veterans seeing raw recruits with overcoats strapped to their knapsacks, we recommend bringing one if at all possible.
Firearm
1. Enfield – The book “Baptism of Fire” lists the regiment as receiving Enfield Muskets on September 19, 1864 - p. 13
2. Any .58 caliber Springfield (55, 61, 63)
3. Any .69 caliber Springfield as a last resort
Footwear
1. Jefferson brogan – the regiment is noted about a month after Franklin to have members marching barefoot in the freezing weather. There is no such note yet at Franklin.
2. Private purchase boot or shoe.
Accouterments –
We are blessed to have access to a set of Accouterments worn by Private William H. Oliver of Company E. They are in the Matt Woodburn collection. These will guide our impression.
1. Federal Cartridge Box –Per Paul D. Johnson’s “Civil War Cartridge Boxes of the Union Infantryman,” this is a pattern of 1861, .58 caliber box. This box is our first choice for boxes represented. The back of the belt shows signs of wear on the straps that would attach it to the waist belt. Given this, we recommend members of our recreated 44th MO wear their cartridge box on the belt.
2. Federal Cap Box – There is an added brass decoration on the front of this one but the finial is still on the bottom to close it.
3. Federal late war belt – The existing belt has the brass keeper in place.
4. Bayonet scabbard – The original set of leathers does not include the bayonet scabbard. Gaylord pattern scabbards of either two rivet or seven rivet construction are acceptable for this impression.
Haversack
1. US issue, black haversack of proper construction – handsewn or machine sewn are acceptable.
Canteen
Preference in canteen is given to the later war variant. Also, as late as the fight is, a proper cloth sling is preferred to the earlier leather sling. Please use a cloth sling if at all possible.
1. 1862 Bulls-eye canteen
2. 1858 Smooth side canteen
Knapsack
1. M1855 Double-bag knapsack – Due to two references in “Baptism of Fire,” we strongly recommend the Double-bag knapsack over the blanket roll. Please use the coat straps to do what they were made for – to hold your overcoat on top.
2. Blanket roll – Strongly discouraged, but accepted if necessary.
Shelter
1. Shelter Tent – As we will camp at an army fort on Saturday night, please bring a shelter half and pair up, ahead of time if possible, to make your tents.
Mess ware and small items
1. All to be of proper material and construction. Wherever possible, please bear in mind this regiment was mustered barely 10 weeks before the Battle of Franklin. Though the gear saw some service, it definitely hadn’t been through years of fighting. Specifically, we discourage the use of canteen halves when possible.
Thanks for reviewing these!
Will
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