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2nd US Cavalry Co. A / 9th Virginia Cavalry Co. D

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Cavalry Stuff

(Last update 3/23/07)

Stuff - what it i$ and what it co$t$

Here's a list, as brief as an un-detailed list can be, of all the stuff you've gotta have to do what we do.  There's even more of course, that'll enhance your experience and your ability to present history to the public.  The prices included are approximate and based on various vendors.  You can spend less by reducing quality, which we don't recommend.  You can certainly spend a whole lot more by injudicious choices or by getting that exact historic replica you've always wanted.  It's all out there.  The old sayings "Let the buyer beware" and "You get  what you pay for!" ring true here. We recommend that the new trooper get with as many fellow troopers BEFORE YOU BUY!  We will assist you

Required Items

(Prices will vary. These were current as of 2003.)

Field Uniform
$35 Forage Cap 1858 (not the Kepi) meant for fatigue but worn everywhere all the time. Dark blue with black leather & eagle buttons.
$5 Cap Insignia 1858 - Includes brass crossed sabres, 3/4" Regimental number, and 1" Company letter.
$130 Uniform Jacket 1854 Mounted Services Jacket. Sometimes called the shell. 12 button front, tall standup collar, dark blue with yellow trim.
$30 Shirt Any period pattern.  Issue shirts were scarce, civilian shirts fine.
$85 Trousers Mounted pattern (extra material layer inside seat & legs), sky blue kersey wool.
$90 Bootees 1851 Jefferson Bootee (brogan). An ankle high lace up shoe.  The only US issue footwear. We'll discuss calf or knee boots later
$15 Socks Period, knit unbleached or gray cotton or wool. No stripes.
$215 Overcoat Mounted pattern (double breasted with wrist length cape), sky blue kersey wool, called the Greatcoat.
$605   Uniform Total

 

Weapons
$750 Carbine 1859 .54 or M1863 .52 Sharps model is preferred.  Other federal issue carbines are generally acceptable.
$165 Pistol 1860 Colt .44 steel frame revolver is standard.  M1851 Colt Navy .36, or M1858 Remington .44 are options
$145 Sabre & scabard 1860 Light Cavalry saber is standard, M1840 Dragoon saber is optional.
  Powder & Caps Yes - black powder and percussion caps to make noise and smoke.  Figure on about $50+ each year. Cartridge paper too.
$1060   Weapons Total

 

Accoutrements
$25 Saber Knot The black leather wrist strap for enlisted men.                              
$65 Carbine Sling US issue with steel swivel snap-hook
$75 Sabre belt 1854 (with shoulder strap, saber hangers, and enlisted man's eagle buckle (brass) with separate silver wreath.
$20 Cap Box 1850 most common, with wool liner and nipple pick
$35 Holster US issue, right side, butt forward, with sewn in plug bottom.
$60 Cartridge box, carbine US issue, 1860 with wood block, or earlier pattern with tin insert.
$280   Accoutrements Total

 

Personal Equipment
$40 Canteen, M1858 1858 smooth side or 1862 bull's eye pattern. Tin. Sky blue wool cover is standard, dark blue, tan and gray also issued.
$30 Haversack Linen with black tar paint coating. Various patterns
$36 Mess kit 1851 4"X4" tin cup, large period tin plate, period knife, fork, spoon. All are separate items.
$48 Gum Poncho Civil War issue, black rubberized cloth with neck slit and grommets
$44 Gum blanket Same as above, no neck slit. Used as ground cloth
$85 Bed blanket 1851 4 lb gray wool with black end stripes or 1861 brown with dark brown end stripes.  Search carefully for this.
$35 Shelter half 1862 or 1864 drill cloth with buttons, button holes & grommets. All you need are some sapling branches & rope (originally issued with hand sewn button holes & grommets, six feet of rope, and four wood pegs). 

$318		   Personal gear total

 

Horse Equipment
?????? Horse Army Specs call for geldings, of hardy colors, 15-16 hands, and 5 to 9 years old. We prefer solid colored geldings and mares.  No Stallions allowed!
$80 Halter & Lead Strap 1859 issue, black leather, iron hardware.
$105 Headstall & Reins 1859 enlisted issue with brass US rosettes with leather safes. Sewn enlisted man's reins.
$100 Bit 1859 curb bit, with curb chain and leather safe.
$35 Link Strap 1859 issue - a MUST for you to dismount and skirmish
$750 Saddle 1859 enlisted man's McClellan saddle.  Natural color rawhide covered tree with black leather straps & skirts. Get a new reproduction on a wide tree - don't use originals as they're too narrow for most modern horses.
$60 Girth 1859 with blue wool pad.
$75 Stirrups 1859, Hooded
$60 Surcingle 1859, blue wool. Required to ride with us.  As important as a seat belt. Keeps your saddle from turning if girth separates.
$30 Carbine Socket 1859 issue with IRON buckle.
$105 Saddle Bags 1859 enlisted issue.
$70 Coat Straps 1859 issue, set of six for your blanket roll and overcoat roll.
$75 Horse Blanket 1851, dark blue with wide orange stripe along each side.  Known as the Dragoon blanket.
$55 Nose Bag 1859 issue canvas bag with leather bottom. Required when you're on our picket line.  Keeps them from fighting over grain.
$15 Grooming Kit Wood handle body brush, curry comb, and hoof pick.
$1480   Horse equipment Total

 

$3533 Grand Total for required items

 

Some optional but useful items
$70 Fatigue Jacket 1858 4 button fatigue or "saque" coat.  Plain dark blue wool.  This jacket became the standard wear item of enlisted men in every branch of the army everywhere.  Very convenient item.
$200 Calf Boots Not standard federal issue (issued by some states to volunteers) although many men bought them from sutlers. About 12" tall with low heel and wide square toe.  Plain black all leather.
$45 Issue Shirt This gray wool shirt wasn't very popular except in winter.  You'll love it then.
$50 Pistol Cartridge box Actually issued in small lots.  Our regiment had some at times.  Very convenient place for money, glasses, gosh - even pistol cartridges.
$25 Drawers Nobody'll know but you. Cotton flannel or osnaburg.
$15 Braces Period Suspenders.  Not issued, but it beats droopy drawers.
$10 Housewife The period sewing kit. Very handy.
$70 Dress Hat The 1858 "Hardee" standard uniform hat. Black felt with tall crown, black ostridge plum, hat cord, and associated brass items.
$65 Shoulder scales Last vestige of body armor in US army. Dress situations only.
$150 Wedge Tent The "A" frame tent. Very comforting for rain, cold, or heavy supply events. About 6' X 6' X 9' in size.
$50 Crupper 1859 issue item.  Many men did without.  It's an extra safety item and very important if your saddle creeps forward.
$50 Breast strap Not issued with M1859 equipment, but widely used with earlier issued equipment.  We suggest it as a safety item and recommend it to keep your saddle from creeping backwards.
$10 Forage sack Canvas bag, about 6" by 2 feet, to carry grain on the march.
$50 Watering bit 1859 issue toggle bit and reins. Attaches to halter.
$35 Spurs Standard issue plain brass with black leather straps
$60 Picket Pin Long iron pin with swivel ring at top.  Picket your horse to the ground when there's no picket line available.
$30 Lariat Your personal picket line. Used with picket pin. 30 foot hemp    1 1/4" circumference (3/8" diameter) four strand rope.  One end whipped, other end with spliced eye loop.

 

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A web page of the 2nd US Cavalry, Co. A/9th VA Cavalry Co. D Reenactors.