Impression Guidelines for Garrisoning New Madrid

[Michael Comer]

Guidelines can be found in the event thread. Contact me with any specific questions. There is enough leeway that should allow anyone that wants to attend to be able to yet keep an accurate impression.

It goes without saying to leave the anachronisms at home or in the car and have your stuff made with proper period materials and patterns.

[Coatsy]

Re: Impression Guidelines for Garrisoning New Madrid

Going along with the impression, I founds this small glimpse into the 12th Arkansas companies from the later part of 1861. Pretty interesting stuff. Neck Comforters!

https://books.google.com/books?id=9YWzL7zNVYwC&pg=PA38&dq=12th+Arkansas+Infantry&hl=en&sa=X&ei=7BPgVPP_ItGnyAS_5IDYBg&ved=0CD0Q6AEwBQ#v=onepage&q=12th%20Arkansas%20Infantry&f=false

[Jon The Beloved]

Re: Impression Guidelines for Garrisoning New Madrid

Is it an unspoken request that as many men as is possible should come dressed in standard gray frocks with dark color trim and trousers with dark color stripes? I know that your desire is to have as many as can come - come; however I feel that it would not be too much to ask that those that wear the frock try their best to get the trim arranged for if even loosely whipped with fabric neatly tucked and stitches excellently hidden. Also, have you an optimal ratio in mind for the impression of the military participants?

Essentially I’m only asking what is preferred and to encourage an event planner to have his day.

I hear a few of us Middle Tennesseans are willing to join the effort. Sounds fun.

[ETYank]

Re: Impression Guidelines for Garrisoning New Madrid

AND a few East Tennesseans, Jon. (Cough, cough)

[Michael Comer]

Re: Impression Guidelines for Garrisoning New Madrid

I'm not sure what you mean by an optimal ratio for reenactors. This is early war commutation period. If you are asking about a ratio of frocks to other clothing, I do not have a number or ratio I am looking for. As to fixing frocks with some temporary trim attached, I think that is something that most folks planning on wearing frocks could pretty easily do as well as the trouser stripes.

[Coatsy]

Re: Impression Guidelines for Garrisoning New Madrid

I agree with Michael Comer. It isn't difficult to go in with your comrades, get a few yards of cloth, and add collar trim. If anyone needs instructions, I would be more than happy to scan and email the instructions that Andrew Jerram sent to my battalion at Sailor's Creek for easy, and neat collar attachments. Just stay away from red. :)

[Jon The Beloved]

Re: Impression Guidelines for Garrisoning New Madrid

Mr. Comer,

I was referring to preferences in the ratio of uniformity of the military component (i.e. 3:1 trimmed frocks and striped trousers to the next preferences being more rugged civilian wear adapted to accepted military use and commutation system procured jackets with uniformity details requested of the homefront, etc.) I'm a fan of uniformity and commonality; and such is often the hope in 'getting it right' unless the documentation states otherwise, of course. So many of us hope to be noticed when we get 'our pick' within impression guidelines at events; but that's just not the authentic campaigner mindset and often times not honoring of the event director's overall vision. With direction we'll all be on the same page. I trust all will do the very best they can. I'm not trying to split hairs here - just getting a general idea. In keeping with the forum standards, I will consult with company commanders and event organizers privately with any more specifics as you requested.

[Michael Comer]

Re: Impression Guidelines for Garrisoning New Madrid

I thought that might be what you were referring to but wasn't completely sure. A military uniformity would be preferred of course but I had not thought of it in lines of a ratio. I appreciate your desire to get it right and hope that participants share that mindset. Frocks are the coat of choice and hopefully that will be the prominent garment in the ranks.

[Hoosier]

Re: Impression Guidelines for Garrisoning New Madrid

Does anybody have any records on what the 11th was issued in the summer/fall of 1861?

The only image of an 11th Arkansas private I have been able to locate is on pg. 40 of Osprey's "The Confederate Army 1861-65 (4): Virginia & Arkansas.".
The Image is of John Harrison Raleigh, who was captured at Island #10. He wears a billet belt around his waist, nondescript trousers, a homemade battle shirt complete with vertical trim on the front placket and has a heart patch sewn on one side- most likely made by some loved one.

Also, when you say they carried reworked guns, are we talking about 69 cal. conversions- specifically were these either m1842s, m1840s, m1816s, m1817s , or something else?

I just would like for us to able to hone our impressions more with any additional, helpful info.

[Michael Comer]

Re: Impression Guidelines for Garrisoning New Madrid

Jeremy,

The impression is the 12th but since they were brigaded with the 11th there were probably many similarities in dress and equipment. I don't have much specifics on what the 12th was wearing. These are early war Arkansas troops so commutation system was probably the name of the game. Frocks were quite popular with Arkansas troops early on. The guidelines have been written to allow some variation since I don't know exactly what was being worn. Weapons are pretty much the same story. There were some that had come from New Orleans and many were obtained at Memphis and were considered to be poor weapons. There should be a mix to reflect the hodge-podge that they were given at this point in the war. Descriptions of guns say there were squirrel rifles, shotguns and old British rifles. But, there was also an arsenal in Little Rock that was captured so there may have been a mix of good muskets in the mix. So, a .69 conversion would work for this event. Once again, the guidelines are written to allow folks some leeway to present a good impression of the troops that were here but information is sketchy as to the particulars. I hope that helps some.

[Hoosier]

Re: Impression Guidelines for Garrisoning New Madrid

Mike,

I'm sorry I got confused at to which regiment we are portraying, because people who have posted on this discussion thread have referred to the 11th Arkansas on more than one occasion when instead they should have been talking about the 12th only.

[Hoosier]

Re: Impression Guidelines for Garrisoning New Madrid

Speaking of available arms in Arkansas, in February of 61' Confederate agents seized from the arsenal at Little Rock over 10,00 weapons including:

5,625 U.S. Flintlock Muskets
53 Altered Percussion m1822 Muskets
357 Percussion m1842 Muskets
900 Rifled m1855 Muskets
125 Rifled m1817 (Derringer) Muskets
54 Mississippi Rifles m1841
2 m1847 Musketoons
267 Hall carbines
2,684 Hall rifles
231 flintlock pistols
52 flintlock m1836 pistols

In August of 61' Little Rock Arsenal agents took up a collection from the state's citizens through advertising in local newspapers for a donation of any military muskets of all types, shot guns, and country rifles (pgs. 39-41 of Osprey's "The Confederate Army 1861-65 (4): Virginia & Arkansas.").

[Hoosier]

Re: Impression Guidelines for Garrisoning New Madrid

Our only documented and guiding impression comes from a Little Rock newspaper announcement from October of 61' when Co. D, 12th Arkansas Infantry received a large shipment from their home community. It included:

8 overcoats
66 jean coats
86 pair of jean pants
35 pairs of linsey drawers
44 pair of cotton drawers
42 jean vests
12 knit shirts
56 linsey & flannel shirts
59 hickory shirts
34 knit comforters for the neck (scarves)
159 pairs of socks
42 pairs of gloves
44 blankets
12 coverlets

(pg. 38 of Osprey's "The Confederate Army 1861-65 (4): Virginia & Arkansas.").


These supplies were sent to the men in that company from a collective effort from folks back in their home town.
These items were clearly made under the commutation system and did originate from the State military operated clothing industries.
Had the 12th. Arkansas companies had access to the Penitentiary frock coats one would reason there would no pressing need to have a whole batch of coats and trousers and other goods made by folks back home. In the apparent absence of much needed state government assistance during this time period, the 12th had to completely turn to the home front for much needed clothing and blankets.

Also, based on the description there is no mention of them having any sort of trim on the coat or trousers. One would think that if there was anything unique, notable or enhanced about their appearance, the account would have been more descriptive, which leaves one to believe they were created and issued unadorned.

Therefore, for the enlisted man, wearing coats or trousers that are trimmed in anyway would be uncalled for- for lack of available evidence. I think we have to error on the side the historical record here and create a uniform appearance of unadorned commutation frock coats as stated in the previous account.

They were all created by the same collective community effort, created by the same hands, using the materials that were available at the time in the community, and issued in one batch to soldiers all at the same time. Any variation in adornment of the uniforms would be implausible and not open to interpretation.



Franklin J. Anderson died in the Civil War near New Madrid, MO. He was in Co. F, 12th Arkansas Infantry

[Michael Comer]

Re: Impression Guidelines for Garrisoning New Madrid

Jeremy,

I would respectfully disagree that there is no room for interpretation of whether or not frocks had trim or not. The guidelines call for either trimmed or untrimmed. I would agree that untrimmed would be what would be found most often since we are actually portraying events of Feb. '62. Therefore what was issued in October of 1861 may or may not have been still serviceable. Also, the passage you quote regarding clothing issue is for one company out of 10. That particular company is not being portrayed at the event. I do not know what was issued to the other companies therefore I do not think the issue is cut and dried. There are many photos of early war Arkansas troops in trimmed frocks. Were there trimmed frocks sent to the 12th while at New Madrid by either state officials or through the commutation system? I really don't know. But, since they do show up in photos, it was decided to make it an option for this event. Thoughts?