Uniform Requirements for the
51st Georgia and Phillips Georgia Legion Infantry
No items postdating 17 September1862 except exact reproduction equipment will be allowed. This means NO modern tobacco products, no plastic bags in haversacks, no modern lighters, and nothing not of the period.
All clothing items must be completely topstitched by hand - including all buttonholes. All equipment must be worn hiked high to enable easier marching. Blousing of trousers is highly discouraged although it is rarely documented.
Headwear - All extant pictures indicate a variance among headwear in the brigade, therefore one can assume the regiment.
For this item there are several options. The first is a Wool or Fur Felt Civilian hat, with correct lining and sweatband, properly blocked and not just a shapeless mass. All styles must be documented from extant originals. The second option would be a jean or satinette kepi, with proper construction and Georgia or civilian buttons. NO BASEBALL CAP SHAPED BRIMS. For this period a black or blue band around the base of the kepi is acceptable.
Coats/Jackets - One has several options to choose from. First and most prevalent were commutation jackets, out of jean, satinette or twill. These must be of a documented pattern, such as the Kent, Paine & Company jacket seen in Echoes of Glory. Often seen during the 1862 time frame were the short waisted shell jackets, out of jean or satinette, with a 6-8 button front, pockets on each breast, shoulder straps, black collars and a unique 3 pointed cuff design as seen on Page 46 of Brassey’s American Civil War Confederate Army.
The second accepted coat would be a jean or satinette frock coat, with little or no trim.
To round out possible options for the Georgians, we have chosen also to allow Civilian Sack coats, out of the above stated materials, and although not encouraged, we have chosen to accept Overshirts as a fourth option. If one chooses to wear an overshirt it should be quite worn, for although there is some documentation of some members wearing them during the Maryland Campaign, they would not have been recent issue, and should be quite shabby. Jean, Flannel and cotton jean is acceptable for the overshirt materials.
Shirts - All troops must have civilian shirts of a documented pattern.
Trousers - CS issue or civilian pattern trousers only, with wool jean, cotton jean, satinette or twill. No Tape Trim on Trousers. Side Seam or Mule ear style pockets are fine. Remember trousers must be worn at the natural waist. Period braces only, no sutler variety wide mattress ticking contraptions. See Paul Calloway’s site for a good article on correct braces.
Footwear - CS issue brogans or civilian shoes and boots are the preferred items, with Federal issue brogans also approved.
Blanket - Civilian coverlets and carpets are highly desirable, and documentation shows that many US issue blankets were picked up by the 51st at Seccessionville. NO SHELTER HALVES.
Accouterments - CS issue haversacks should be most prominent for the Legion, while the 51st carried US issue models, once again from Seccessionville. Standard issue or civilian belts, with roller or forked tongue buckles.Georgia State Plates are encouraged. Cap pouches and Cartridge boxes may be of US or CS issue, the US issue models must be of an early war pattern. Tin Drum canteens as well as wooden models are preferred, with US Smoothside models acceptable, as long as they are covered in Jean or Satinette, with documented canvas or US issue leather slings. Blanket rolls are the standard, with some US issue Double Bags allowed. US model 1833 and Militia Hardpacks acceptable.
Weapons - Smooth bore Model 1816 conversions or 1842’s should be the most common weapon, with Enfields and 1861 Springfields also acceptable.
3d S.C. Batt'n / 15th S.C.V. / 51st GA / Phillips Legion
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