Federal Soldier:
Well, you can basically look at the photos that are included on this website and see for yourselves just how Company D looked!  But basically the "Base" impression is the following:

Headgear - Large, broad-brimmed civilian hats seem to proliferate here.  Most are in black but if you wish to wear one in brown please contact me first.  Also, I would like some folks to wear forage caps also.

Coats - With one exception everyone should wear a proper sack-coat.  The exception will be the fellow I pick to be the 1st Sgt. (I would like him to wear a dress-coat w/Sgt. stripes).  Also no rank insignia need be displayed with the lone exception of the above named 1st Sgt. 

Shirts/Drawers/Socks - The preferred items should be all Federal issue here. I will allow for some Civilian shirts w/ties but that should be reserved mostly for the officers/NCO's.

Trousers - Proper issue sky-blue kersey is the only allowed garment here.  NCO's need not to sew on stripes on the seams as it does not look like they had them on their trousers.

Accoutrements/Muskets/Blankets/Etc. - Please wear proper Federal issue accoutrements with all plates.  They need not be shined but they should be clean.  The preferred Rifle-Musket is the .58 caliber Model 61 Springfield.  Enfields are OK but please first work on getting a proper Springfield first.  Any proper Federal issue blanket is to be used.  Also, proper shelter tents are going to be put up so bring those along too.  Knapsacks are to be brought along also.  And finally, bring along any camp items you think we could use.  Such items as shovels, axes, boxes, jugs, lanterns, etc. would be welcome here.  We are basically portraying soldiers not on campaign, but in a relaxed garrison environment.  Uniforms/accoutrements/Muskets should all be clean and in good repair. 

Corps Badges - Photo evidence seems to show that at least some of the soldiers wore the badge of the 3rd Division, 23rd Corps.  This would be basically a sky-blue kersey heart no bigger the 2 inches in diameter.  I would like to see some in the ranks either worn on the side of the hat, top/side of the cap or on the left breast of the blouse. 

Rations - I will try and work on a small ration issue for this event.  However, I heartily encourage everyone to bring extra, period food items with them for this event.

Civilian guidelines: 
I am going to basically treat all civilians like adults here and state that they can wear what they wish.  However, it must be common, not over the top flashy, and period.  Take a look at some of the civilians in the photos for an idea of what they wore.  All civilians be camp on the far side of the Mclean house in a period fashion (no modern stuff please).  If  would like to set up a large tent or camp, please talk with me first so that we can go over this first.  Should you have any questions about anything, please feel free to contact me.

I  spoke with the park back in December about building usage and they stated that some of the buildings will be open for use by the civilians.  Such buildings as the tavern & a couple of other buildings in the area will be available for use by the civilian interpreters.  Also, the civilians will be able to sleep at least in the rear of the tavern which is reserved for staff.  Hopefully some rooms in the buildings themselves will also be made available.  Some fires will be permitted in certain areas, and if I remember correctly there should be no dug fire pits but smaller type cooking fires should be OK.

The park as I understand it would like to run some tours through town to show some of the events that would happen in the immediate post-war period.  Some of the scenarios I would like to see the civilians help with will be but are not limited to;  destitute ration issue (there will be a $6 fee to cover this cost), issuing of passes to civilians leaving the area, and of course interacting with the soldiers. 

I was able to obtain a partial list of the civilians residing in Appomattox.  This list is from the 1870 census and it does provide a small glimpse of the type of fellow & lady that resided in the area.  The list is as follows:

I have a longer list but it does not list race.  I you would like a more complete listing, please let me know.

 If you have any questions, comments or concerns, please contact James Miller at jamestmiller_brigadista@msn.com