2nd United States Sharpshooters, Company D
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Uniforms and Gear

Welcome to our uniforms and gear page.  These resources explain our gear and list articles and resources to improve your impression.  Texts in italics are straight from army regulations.

Issued Sharpshooter Equipment

6/28/2015

1 Comment

 
From U.S. Sharpshooter's Berdan's Civil War Elite, Sharpshooters were issued:

  1. Bootees
  2. Green forage cap "and yellow metal letters in front to designate companies"
  3. Drawers, flannel or knit cotton
  4. Green frock coat
  5. Cold weather gloves
  6. Leather leggings
  7. Painted or Rubber poncho
  8. Blue flannel sack coat
  9. Flannel shirt
  10. knit shirt
  11. stockings
  12. Green Trousers
  13. Trouser suspenders
  14. Sharps pattern cartridge box "Cartridge boxes and bayonet-scabbard will be polished with blacking.."
  15. Bayonet
  16. Wool blanket
  17. Canteen
  18. Cooking Kit: "in the field, the only mess furniture of the soldier will be one tin plate, one tin cup, one knife, fork, and spoon, to each man, to be carried by himself on the march."
  19. Tin cup
  20. Haversack
  21. Rations: "12 oz pork or bacon or 1lb 4 oz of salt or fresh beef; 1lb 6oz of soft bread or flour, or, 1lb of hardbread, or, 1lb 4 oz corn meal; and to every 100 rations, 15lbs of beans or peans, and 10 lbs of rice or hominy; 10 lbs of green coffee, or 8lbs of roasted (or roasted and ground) coffee, 1lb 8oz of tea; 15 lbs of sugar; 4 qts of vinegar; 1lb 4oz of candles; 4 oz pepper, 4lbs soap, 3lbs 12oz salt, 30lbs of potatoes, 1qt molasses."
  22. Knapsack, leather, tanned with hair on outside
  23. Knife, fork, and spoon.
  24. Leather rifle sling
  25. Shelter half
  26. Waist belt, leather & brass plate
  27. Black ostrich feather (early war)
A Sharpshooter may also have personal items such as:
  1. Candles
  2. Hair comb
  3. Housewife
  4. ID tag
  5. Ration for one day: bacon, peas, or bean, sugar, hardtack, coffee beans, salt
  6. Shaving equipment
  7. Soap "the men should bathe one or twice a week.  The feet to be washed at least twice a week.  The hair kept short, and beard neatly trimmed."
  8. Tobacco
  9. Writing implements

The unique uniforms of Sharpshooter uniforms also created strains in maintaining uniformity.

As early as December 1862, a reviewing officer reported that they were perfect slouches and slovens in appearance [of whom] no two are uniformed alike."  By March 1864, Major Mattocks, commanding the 1st USSS commented, "they are clothed in every shape, and present anything but a martial appearance." (Katcher 2002)



"Since resupply was often sacnt, it is easy to understand that the soldiers would take what they could from the slain.  The Sharpshooters were no different, and between resupply issues, they would take whatever uniforms or accouterments were handy, green or otherwise." (Marcot 2007)




Picture
Pvt. Frederick Coffin wearing a sack coat.
1 Comment
Edward Allen
2/6/2023 06:53:54 pm

Are making Berdan gaiters for sale?

Reply



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    2nd USSS, Co. D

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