Our Federal Impression will mimic that of Western Federals from 1862-65. Therefore, a mid-late war look will be the standard. Given the ratios of certain uniforms in the progressive/hardcore community, we've decided to specify on less represented (yet common) uniform jackets. For instance the federal shell jacket, http://www.lazyjacks.org.uk/shelljk1.htm was a common item among western federal infantry troops, so we recommend a SA shell jacket or state jacket for a second choice. Earlier war impressions featuring frock coats, type 1 forage caps, dark blue trousers and other specific items will be worked on at a gradual pace. There will be some events which will call for specific uniformage( i.e. State Jacket/Dark blue trousers for Rich Mountain or New York state jackets for portraying eastern federal from NY regiments). It would be a nice goal to fit whatever the #1 uniform requirements are for a specific event to obtain a goal. For the benefit of repetition I must add at this moment that ALL button holes on every piece of uniform and equipment must be 100% hand sewn. And as with every uniform piece, please choose from our specified vendors when purchasing.

1. 4 button Sack Coat (Fatigue Blouse): The Fatigue Blouse features an indigo dyed Blue wool flannel with a diagonal weave, a kidney shaped or square corner interior pocket, four 3/4 inch general service buttons, small vent cuffs, and a folded collar. Either of contract issue (mostly machine sewn) or SA arsenal issue (100% handsewn). This is documented as the most "common" jacket to be worn by federal troops, both east and west, from '61-'65. Unlined coats should have hand flat felled seams.

2. Federal Shell Jacket: SA infantry shell or state issue shell. Should be made of wool broadcloth or fine kersey wool. State issue patterns feature epaulettes, pointed cuffs, 8-12 buttons, straight cutt or roundabout. SA infantry jackets feature a low collar, tight fit in waist, 12 button front and cuff buttons.

3. Federal enlisted Frock Coat: Frock coats shall be of dark blue wool broadcloth material. Frock coats should be lined with a mixture of alpaca, tow or some similar material as chest padding, polished cotton, and muslin or osnaburg in the sleeves. Frock coat trim shall be light blue piping or cording; "tape-trim" is not allowed. Frock coats shall have standard U.S. infantry buttons. Original frock coats were made with pocket in the skirts only; there should not be a factory-made pocket in the breast. This is a very deluxe item to obtain, therefore based on the materials and detail in construction, the cost is high.

Trousers:
1. Federal Infantry Pattern trousrs. Some basic features include a greenish cast 21 ounce sky blue kersey wool with a diagonal weave, correct rise of trowsers in the seat (back yoke), right side watch pocket, narrow tapered waistband, four or six stamped paper backed tin suspender buttons, five small paper back tin fly buttons, side seam pockets, correct overlapping cuff vents with internal cuff facings, correct fly panels and facings. Sky blue required however Dark Blue trousers will be suggested for certain 1861 impressions.

Accoutrements:
1. If you are going with a .58 cal '61 springfield rifled musket impression, we suggest the 61 infantry leather set. This includes cap box, cartridge box with belt sling and eagle breast plate, waist belt with leather keeper and puppy paw US belt plate, 2 rivet or sewn bayonet scabbard.
2. If you are going with a 69. cal '42 springfield smooth bore musket, we recommend the 57 issue set which features belt attachments on the cartridge box and all the items mentioned above. To be made of iron dyed leather from the specified vendors.

Shirts:
1. Contract Issue shirt. Completely machine sewn (minus button holes) and made of wool flannel in colors of Red, Blue, Tan, or Grey.
2. Federal Issue Domet Flannel shirt. 100% hand sewn, made of white domet flannel.
3. Civilan shirt. Made of various cloths and fabric patterns of cotton and/or wool.

Vest:
An optional item must be made of dark blue or sky blue fine kersey material with a nine button front and stand up collar.

Traps:
Haversack- made of correct painted cloth of contract issue pattern. It is to be worn high, outside your belt.
Canteen- Tin oval federal issue 1858 canteen. With or without cover. Covers must be made of jean, satinette or cassimere material in various shades of brown or grey. String cording only, no chain links. Leather sling for early war impression, regulation cotton sling for standard impression. This is to be worn high as well.

Knapsack:
1855 doublebag knapsack: The standard issue knapsack issued from early in the war till 64, seems the most universal choice. Choose from specified vendors for this purchase. Many repro doublesacks are made missing alot of authentic detail in construction, coating, and leather materials.

GreatCoat:
Regulation issue infantry GreatCoat. Made of 21 oz. sky blue kersey material and made in proper construction. This is an entirely optional item and should be purchased voluntarily once other primary articles are obtained.

Headgear:
1. Regulation Issue Dress hat (Hardee Hat). The most common hat issued and worn by federal troops of the western theater of the war. These hats can be seen in countless photographs of soldiers in the field in a varity of "customized" forms and conditions. To be worn plain without any hat cord or hat brass (unless called for in a specific scenario).

2. Forage Cap: the only acceptable headgear for formal occasions such as parade, inspection, and guard duty, is the forage cap. Forage caps shall be of a finely-woven, dark blue (not navy blue) plain-weave wool with no visible weave. Visors and chinstraps shall be painted leather. Buttons shall be small \ldblquote eagle\rdblquote type. The cap liner shall be brown or black polished cotton and the cap shall have a leather or painted cloth sweatband. The Type 1 style has a crescent-shaped, slightly slanting visor and smaller-diameter crown. Type 2 caps have a rectangular visor that usually lays flat and a larger-diameter crown. Choice is optional, however a "type 1" is the only appropriate cap for an early war impression.

3. Civilian Hat: Although we prefer the hardee for the first hat purchase, a dandy civlian hat can be obtained as well. Consort photographs or documentation when choosing a civilian hat for western federal impressions. Preference is towards darker colors such as brown and black. Consort the vendors list as this is a very important part of the impression.

Suspenders:
Federal trousers were only issued with 4 buttons (2 front, 2 back) and oddly enough were not issued suspenders at all. Therefore, if you wish to purchase a set of suspenders with double holes in the front, you'll have to attach 2 additional buttons to the pants yourself to complete the "customization". This was a very common process for soldiers. There are a variety of styles to choose from, however we recommend a well made pair from our vendor list.

Socks:
Federal issue white cotton socks or civilian pattern socks. All socks must be knitted from wool or cotton, no modern socks allowed.

Weapons:
1861 springfield rifled musket (armisport). We're going to aim at making sure everyones musket is "defarbed" over a period of time. Defarbing includes replacing hardware, stamping lock and butt plates, and a new finishes to the stock and barrel. Bayonet must be original or a defarbed (US stamped) repro.
1842 springfield smooth bore musket (armisport). A very common firearm amongst federal troops in the western theater of the war all the way until '64 for some units. These are a little under-represented in the hobby at present. Bayonet must be original or defarbed (US stamped) repro.
musket slings were not issued with the musket, therefore must be considered a "private purchase" if desired.

Issue Blanket:
The federal "emergency" issue blanket will be the rule. To be made of brown wool/shoddy or mixed cotton and wool with darker brown end-stripes. As usual, purchase from specific vendors required.

Private Purchase items:
We STRONGLY encourage everyone to obtain little items to round out their impression to pack in their knapsacks or bedrolls such as : combs, toothbrush, mirror, bible, CDV of a loved one, or a pouch for tobacco. Of course, you don't need to have all items at the same time, these are just examples. Letters from home is another neat detail to an impression that is not represented enough. Alot of soldiers tried hard to keep up with their correspondence all through their service. Another part of the mess kit that is mandatory are the utensils such as : Tin cup, Canteen half or plate, fork or knife-spoon-fork combo tool. These items will be carried in your haversack along with your rations. We discourage packing too many personal items in the haversack.