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Uniform Guidelines for the 1st Ohio Cavalry (Company L) at Rosecrans’ Pursuit:
PDF Version of Information below: Uniform Guidelines for the 1st Ohio Cavalry (Company L) at Rosecrans’ Pursuit_ (2).pdf
Background:
Three major organizations in the authentic hobby are coming together to host a very special event. The Liberty Rifles, 40-Rounds, and the Independent Rifles present “Rosecrans’ Pursuit”, a unique, large scale immersive event for the authentic Civil War living historians, on and near the original ground, nearly to the day on which it occurred.
This event will feature a unique opportunity for federal cavalry reenactors at the premiere event of 2021. We will be portraying the 1st Ohio Volunteer Cavalry, Company L which was assigned to headquarters escort duty at that time. This event will adhere to STRICT authenticity standards and all participants are expected to look and act like troopers from the Army of the Cumberland in 1863.
Unit History:
Mustered in at Camp Chase, OH in 1862, the 1st Ohio Volunteer Cavalry just missed the battle of Shiloh, arriving the day after the Union Victory. However, they were engaged in skirmishing regularly on the campaign to Corinth, MS. After which they were the first to make a reconnaissance into Mississippi, but avoided contact with any enemy forces. By September 1863, they were assigned to the Army of the Cumberland. On September 19, the regiment participated in the Battle of Chickamauga, taking a position on the Union right. Despite being greatly outnumbered, at approximately noon of this day, 250 members of the 1st charged the Confederate line. As the men advanced, officials countermanded the order, and the Ohioans raced back to their own lines but still lost nearly fifty men killed, wounded, or captured. The regiment spent the battle’s second day (September 20) principally in the Union rear, before withdrawing to Chattanooga, Tennessee beginning that evening.
Company L was on escort duty at the time. The exact number of equipment per the Ordnance Returns at the time of this campaign are as follows:
● 32-Colt Navy Pistols
● 32-Colt Army Pistols
● 60-Sabers (40’s heavy model)
● 40-Cap Pouches
● 8-Sharps Cartridge Boxes
● 25-Pistol Holsters (Army)
● 25-Pistol Holsters (Navy)
● 54-Saber Belts
● 43-Saber Knots
● 50-Bridles (Curb)
● 18-Watering Bits
● 53-Curry Combs
● 58-Horse Brushes
● 44-Saddles
● 35-Girths
● 26-Surcingles
● 59-Halters
● 34-Link Straps
● 12-Lariats
● 9-Picket Pins
● 31-Nose Bags
● 41-Blankets
● 57-Spurs/spur straps
Items of note based on the equipment returns are the following:
1. Few Carbines: The return before this indicates some sharps were used but it is still unclear if company L had them in September, 1863
2. Two Pistols and two holsters Per Trooper: We will ask everyone (who has a sharps) to still bring their sharps carbine. As time gets closer and we have more information, we will likely have one group with no carbines and 2 pistols, and one group with carbines and one pistol. However, be prepared for either configuration.
3. One saddle blanket per horse: If you would like to use your sleeping blanket as a second layer of protection for your horse, please feel free to.
4. Heavy Sabers: The 1st carried heavy sabers during this campaign. If possible, work on getting a “heavy” version. You can get quality imported originals at decent prices ($300-$400)
5. Saber Knots were common and the returns indicate almost the entire company had them.
6. Brushes: The majority of the company had both a curry comb and brush.
7. Lariats: Only about half of the company carried lariats.
8. Picket Pins: Only a select few will have picket pins.
9. Nose Bags: The majority of Company L had nose bags.
10.Spurs: The majority of Company L had spurs
Impression Guidelines: Clothing:
Fatigue Blouse: All enlisted men outside of specific individuals had fatigue blouses. Mainstream, purple faded blouses are entirely unacceptable.
-US Issue Fatigue blouse, lined or unlined of properly documented period pattern and materials.
-Private purchase coat/jacket: Must be of properly documented period pattern and materials and be historically accurate for a cavalry trooper in the western theater in 1863
Pants/Trousers: Federal issue mounted pattern trousers of sky blue kersey made from period pattern and materials.
1. Federal issue mounted pattern trousers
2. Federal issue foot pattern trousers
Shirts:
1. U.S. Army domet flannel or knit wool flannel shirts are preferred.
2. A proper civilian pattern shirt will be an acceptable secondary option.
Drawers:
-Federal issue canton flannel drawers preferred,
-Civilian style drawers acceptable as a secondary option.
-No drawers
-Modern underwear is unacceptable
Headgear: Hats are essential to a quality impression. Poor reproductions will not be tolerated.
1. Forage cap, “Type 1” or “Type 2” is preferred made from period pattern and materials 2. Undressed Hardee (dress) hat is an acceptable second option.
Cap on the left is a proper example. Cap on the right should not be seen at any event.
Greatcoat: Being mid September in Georgia a greatcoat is not likely to be utilized, but if you bring one make sure that it is a Mounted pattern federal issue type of period pattern and materials.
Boots/Shoes: Boots and shoes must be of period pattern and materials.
1. Federal issue low (mid calf) boots
2. Federal issue brogans
3. Private purchase boots
Baggage:
Blanket: Grey or brown U.S. Army sleeping blanket of correct period pattern and material, carried on your saddle or used as a saddle blanket. No civilian blankets, coverlets etc.
Ground Cloth: Rubberized or painted ground cloth
Shelter Half: US issued shelter half (it is STRONGLY suggested that every man carry a shelter half of proper material and construction)
Haversacks: Painted US issue haversack of period pattern and materials. No civilian or cloth
haversacks accepted.
Canteen:
1. Cincinnati Canteen style is preferred
2. Corrugated Philadelphia “bullseye”canteen being an acceptable second option.
Canteen covers must be of period material. No obvious/uncovered stainless steel canteens. Canteens can have either a canvass (preferred) or leather strap.
Accouterments:
Saber Belt: Federal issue pattern with silver wreath buckle. Belts should be made of period pattern and materials. No water buffalo hide leather. Buff or bridle leather acceptable.
Cap pouch: Arsenal or contract made cap box
Holster: Bring two holsters for your Colt Army and Colt Navy
Carbine sling with swivel (Optional): Period pattern and weight of leather and proper brass hardware. No stainless steel swivels or cheaply made buckles on slings.
Sharps Cartridge box with tins: If you choose to bring a cartridge box, it must be a sharps box with correct tin inserts.
Saber knot: of correct construction and secured to the saber firmly
Weapons:
Carbine: Sharps Carbine (Optional), 1863 pattern without patch box -Other models (prior to 1863) acceptable.
Saber: 1840 Heavy Cavalry saber. No saber will be accepted with a nut/screw on the pommel. Sabers must be firm and well secured to grip.
1. High quality reproduction
2. Original
3. 1860 Light Cavalry saber acceptable
Pistol:
1. 1 Colt Army and 1 Colt Navy
2. 2 Colt Army OR 2 Colt Navy
3. 1 Colt pistol (Army or Navy)
Troopers should bring both a Colt Navy and a Colt Army pistol
No Remingtons, or brass frame reproductions. Other period pattern and documentable pistols acceptable (ex: Starr, Lafacheux etc)
Ammunition: All ammunition should be packed in period style paper cartridge boxes.
Tack:
Saddle:
1859 Pattern McClellan with issue girth. There will be no leather covered 1904 trees permitted. All metal hardware must be dark (no stainless steel or chrome), and of the proper metal (iron or brass where appropriate).
Saddles should be 1859 pattern. Fully reworked 1904 pattern trees are reluctantly accepted.
NO CS or modern saddles whatsoever.
Surcingle: Made from period pattern and materials
1. Federal issue preferred
2. Civilian pattern acceptable
Saddle Blanket: Federal issue cavalry saddle blanket (blue with orange stripe) of period pattern and materials.
1. Federal issue saddle blanket
2. Federal issue brown or grey sleeping blanket
3. Plain blue, brown or grey wool blanket
Modern saddle pads are not acceptable.
Headstall: Federal issue 6 or 3 buckle bridle, Must be of period pattern and material. Bit should be federal issue curb bit, or period style and material civilian bit (snaffle, curb etc). No modern or stainless steel bits.
1. Federal issue bit
2. Civilian pattern bit
Halter, link and lead strap: Federal issue halter of period pattern and materials.
1. Federal issue halter, link and lead
2. Period civilian style halter and lead strap
Saddlebags: Saddlebags are optional but highly recommended. Bags must be federal issue type, of period pattern and materials. No oversized post war or western bags. No modern hardware on bags.
Curry comb of period construction Horse Brush of period construction Lariat- 4 strand hemp rope
Picket Pin: (optional)
Optional Equipment:
Watering Bridle: Company L had 18 watering bridles in the company. While we do not require it, we strongly recommend bringing a set, we will try to give you an opportunity to use them during the event.
Crupper: Cruppers were issued with McClellan tack but they will be optional for this event. If you use a crupper it must be of period pattern and materials.
Breast Strap:
1. Federal issue surcingle used as breast strap
2. Civilian pattern breast strap
The leather breast strap with brass heart is not acceptable at this event as they were only issued with Grimsley saddles and are vastly over represented in the field.