FEDERAL IMPRESSION GUIDELINES
July 1864, Elmira, NY.
16th Veteran Reserve Corps & miscellaneous depot troops.
Elmira was an official New York State designated Draft Rendezvous for the Western District of NY prior to the conversion of a portion of the Rendezvous for a prisoner of war camp. This is an urban garrison environment. Clothing is expected to be neat/clean and in good repair. Brass polished, leathers/footgear clean and blacked. US regulation standards will be enforced in the garrison.
Enlisted troops will be quartered in Common (A) tents as per the historical record.
Noitfy your respective recruiter if you have a tent & be willing to share with 3 other enlisted personnel.
If you do not have a tent, but have a tent mate preference advise your recruiter.
If you do not have a tent & do not state a preference, your recruiter will assign you to a tent.
Union personnel are expected to camp on their respective company streets.
No civilians are allowed to camp on company streets.
CLOTHING
Officers- All officer positions will be designated by the event Camp Commander
Coats: Frock, Acceptable-private purchase sack
Shirts: White dress w/ cravat, Acceptable- any civilian pattern
Trousers: Field Officers- dark blue with trouser lace,
Company Officers-sky blue with trouser lace
Footgear: Shoes or Boots
Headgear: Kepi or private purchase hat (black)
Hat Brass: Branch insignia officer emblems, numbers for personna selected
Sashes: Worn by Officers of the Guard on duty only
Rank: Full size shoulder boards, no subdued
NCO’s – Positions to be designated by the appropriate Company officers
Coats: Sergeants- Preferred -Frocks,
Corporals – US issue 4 button blouse
Shirts: Preferred- military issue, Acceptable- appropriate civilian pattern
Trousers: US issue sky blue kersey with appropriate leg lace
Footgear: US issue bootees on duty, boots acceptable off duty only
Headgear: US issue forage cap required while on duty, civilian hats acceptable off duty
Hat Brass: Infantry bugle, numbers 16
Sashes: Worn by Sergeant of the Guard on duty only
Ranks: Assigned full size complete sleeve insignia
Enlisted-
Coats: 1st Company, US light blue VRC jacket,
2nd /3rd Companies, US issue 4 button blouse
Shirts: US issue preferred, Acceptable -civilian pattern
Trousers: US issue sky blue
Footgear: US issue bootees on duty, boots acceptable off duty only
Headgear: US issue forage cap
Hat Brass: Infantry bugle, numbers 16
ORDNANCE & ACCOUTERMENTS
Officers:
Leathers: Waist belt w/ officer plate, sword hanger
Swords: Mandatory for Officers of the Guard, off duty - officer’s choice
Firearms: Revolver w/ holster may be worn on duty only
NCO’s/Enlisted:
Rifle: 61/63 Springfield or Enfield .58/.577 cal rifle w/ appropriate bayonet
Ammunition: 20 blank rounds in cartridge box w/ caps
Leathers: US issue .58 cal box/US plate
US issue waist belt (brass or leather keeper)/NCO plate
US issue shoulder strap w/ eagle plate
US issue bayonet scabbard (stitched or 7 rivet)
Canteen: Smooth or bullseye with canteen cover, cotton strap preferred
Haversack: US issue black
Knapsack: US issue double bag
CAMP/GARRISON EQUIPMENT
Officers:
Tentage: Wall or common tent
Mess gear: Personal preference
Blankets: US issue brown/grey, civilian wool/quilt
Enlisted:
Tentage: Common tent (4 -5 men per tent). Tentage to be coordinated by company/detachment commanders
No shelter halves or flies
Mess gear: US issue tin plate/ cup/ utensils
Blankets: US issue grey/brown wool
Additional items of correct period pattern military or civilian comfort items are acceptable subject to individual company commander authorization. Camps are subject to regulation inspections.
Depot of Prisoners US guard camp. Located in the fields to the west of the prison enclosure. Most likely late summer 1864, Courtesy of Chemung County Historical Association
View of prison enclosure looking east.most likely from the Foster House. White barracks in distance are the original buildings built to house Union troops fro 1861-64. Courtesy of Chemung County Historical Society.
ICHEMUNG COUNTY HISTORICAL SOCIETY
ICHEMUNG COUNTY HISTORICAL SOCIETY
Registration Application
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