Advice for
new members
It is often difficult to know what equipment a person may want to have to
portray a Civil War soldier. This page, and the pictures in the linked pages will give
you a good idea of what is acceptable. It is a good idea to take a veteran
member with you if you go shopping at a Sutler. These things are also explained
elsewhere on this website at
UNIFORM and ACCOUTREMENTS Scott’s Battery’s impression is of a Section, due to the fact that we have only
have two Guns. Since we are a Section it is natural we have a Lieutenant in
command. Our impression is of Scott’s Battery in the time period of July 1862 to
October of 1863. This allows us to portray the Battery in all four seasons, and
during the campaigns with and without tents. This also allows us to have a wide
variety of uniforms and equipment. See the accompanying photos of shirts, shoes,
hats, cups etc. Tents: When in garrison or bivouac the Artillery camp is well defend in the
Artillery Field Manual. A Lieutenant would have a subaltern’s tent (8’X10’ wall
tent), possibly with a fly. Enlisted men including NCOs would have an A-Tent, or
shelter halves. The officer has allowed some (O’Donnell) to use his subaltern’s
tent keeping the number of walls tents to one. In the past when families come
they would stay in two or more tents. The author remembers his son and young
Sullivan sharing a tent and myself sleeping in a tent with some other member.
Six or nine foot A-Tents or a Dog Tent (shelter halves) are the preferred tents
for enlisted men and families. Sometime the Battery would have moved ahead of
the baggage wagons and would not have had tents. In the Official Record one of
the officers reported the men were complaining because they had outpaced the
baggage wagons and had no tents. We portray this by sleeping under the Guns with
the Gun Cover as a cover. A member is always welcome to sleep this way until
they get a tent or as their way of camping. Personal items can be put under a
blanket or canvas during the day. The Company has a Fly, so a personal Fly is
discouraged. First Person is the soldier that you portray. After attending four events you
will choose a name from the original roster. You then become that person at the
events that we attend. Camping gear can be modern or period. Period camp equipment would be a wool
blanket or two; or perhaps a medium weight quilt. A gum or rubber blanket would
serve as a ground cloth at night and as a rain poncho during the day. A candle
lantern or period chair could also be considered. Bringing boxes and barrels is
discouraged as they are often very large or bulky and would not have been found
in a military camp. If you bring a large box it should be put in your tent.
Modern camping gear is acceptable as long as it is covered up during the day or
removed to your vehicle every morning. Sleeping bags, propane lanterns, and
coolers should not be visible in the camp. Members may sleep in motels, their
car or with modern campers in the parking lot if they desire. Think of it this
way: If you brought it and didn’t use it, don’t bring it next time. Food: You do not have to eat period food. Some may use small skillets for
cooking over an open fire if they want to. Most of us eat modern food because we
are modern people. Food in a packet (oatmeal, tuna, or noodles) or in a can
(vegetables, fruit, spagettios, beans) are fine. Just keep the packages hidden
and throw away the wrappers. You can always find a vender selling hotdogs etc.
or you can eat at a local café. Sometimes we make a large camp meal in our camp
pot and everyone is welcome. It is okay to bring a cooler but it should be kept
small with a blanket over it to disguise it. Ice is not always available and
food that can spoil should be left at home. Ask one of the veteran members what
he brings for food. We also discourage electronic Devices in the camp. Cell phones are the most
likely device, but all modern electronics fall under this category. Cell Phones
should be used in the area set aside for smoking. There are some who use their
phones to communicate with lost members coming to the event on Friday night.
This will be tolerated, but the cell phone is not a replacement for a Bugler.
(O’Donnell).
Smoking is always permissible BUT it must be period. Cigars and pipes were the
tobacco of the day (plus chew or snuff). Cigarettes should not be smoked in
camp. There will be a designated smoking area set aside outside of the camps.
"Last Updated 8-06-2015"
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