The Fisher's Mess

Authenticity Requirements

The Fisher's Mess is an "authentic"/Progressive campaign company portraying the "common" Western Confederate and Union soldier in the War Between the States. We have no officers in the mess so that all can be in the ranks. Leadership is shared by all. Below is a guideline for uniform and equipment standards that we hold to. Although some are flexible or optional, other items are non-negotiable. We ask that the standards be met within ten months of your first event with us. We assume that you have been involved in reenacting and therefore are already on your way.

 

Minimum Requirements: These items are necessary before entrance into the Mess: authentic bootees or boots, period eye wear if necessary, a weapon, set of leathers, canteen, at least a partial Confederate and Union uniform.

 

Sponsorship:  To become a member you must have at least one member as your sponsor. This must be a member willing to sponsor you and who shows you "the ropes".  We do not do this to make long time living historians or reenactors feel "demoted", but a place to have questions answered and the sponsor is responsible to make sure all requirements are filled before the go to an event.

            During the year, the applicant must attend at least three (3) events with the mess and meet the requirements for that event.  The do not have to be max effort events, just one which we attend as the mess.

            Once the applicant comes up for a vote, the vote must be unanimous by all other members of the mess-  All for One, One for All.

 

When you up grade and add to your kit, you need to be sure that you go up in quality.

 

Overall Impression

 

Age:  Members must be at least 18 years of age because of liability, etc…

 

Dual Membership:  We do not allow dual membership in other units. We feel dual membership splits your loyalties and makes decisions harder.  We want people committed to the hobby as well as to the mess.

 

We do not allow illegal drugs or alcohol in camp.  

 

Note on buttonholes. Button holes should be done by hand, but if the holes have already been done by machine, carefully rip out the old thread and redo it.

 

Eyeglasses will be in period frames. Contacts are acceptable as long as they are not prone to falling out and containers can be kept out of sight. No jewelry, save a wedding band (no ear rings, necklaces, other rings, etc.) No visible tattoos.

 

Most veterans learned or knew how to sew or mend, we suggest that you learn to at least do some minor mending and button holes.

 

There are no women allowed to camp. Women spectators are allowed only during the day.

 

Wearing your traps. The belt was worn at the true waist. Your belt buckle should be over you belly button, that is close enough. Canteen and haversacks should not be knotted, but sewn at the appropriate height. They should be worn high on your body so that when you run or do hard marching, they do not fly around.

 

Food. We suggest that as much as possible you eat out of your haversack. There is nothing wrong with visiting the food vendors (occasionally), but try it. Your pards will probably have extra food if you run out or low. It makes for the experience. Be sure all food is out of modern packages.

 

Utensils. You should get a good tin cup, period fork and spoon. A pocket knife substitutes well for carrying an extra knife. A plate is optional, but better would be a small fry pan or canteen half. These can be used to cook in and eat off of, the plate becomes extra baggage. "Coffee boilers," with the wire bail, are optional.

 

Personal items. These should be period (or, if modern pharmaceuticals are needed, "hidden" in period containers). There is no plastic allowed. Modern packages should be discarded and the items placed in poke bags.

 

We suggest a diet and exercise routine for all members. Weekend reenacting can be hard on a person and the soldiers we portray were lean and hardy individuals.

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Hair styles should be period, preferable men's hair no longer than shoulder length.

 

 

Items in order of preference

Confederate Impression:

 

Uniform Coat: uniform coats must be made out of appropriate jean wool. All button holes must be hand sewn. Buttons can be script or block "I" or wooden (large dugout), and occasionally coin buttons. Period correct buttons. Top stitching should be done by hand unless otherwise documented. Patterns for AOT in order of preference for each period are:

ca. 1861: battle shirt, appropriately patterned enlisted frock coat, , civilian sack or frock,  plain shell ("Mystery Jacket").

ca. 1862 - 1863: Columbus depot (1863 only), "Mystery Jacket", plain western shell, enlisted frock coat.

ca. 1864 - 1865: Columbus depot, Atlanta Depot, Demopolis Depot (Dept. of Ala.), "Mystery Jacket", plain western shell or an enlisted man's frock coat (limited).

           

            Civilian coats are always acceptable when appropriate.

 

Pants: should be military or civilian style and colors. Military pants should be of jean wool or appropriate material. Civilian can be of appropriate civilian/period material. No sky blue kersey wool should be worn (Federal Foot pattern). Button holes must be hand sewn.

 

Shirts: Preferably civilian pattern- cotton, muslin, wool. Common would be two color checks and plaid woven material. Stay away form printed cotton, unless it's a period pattern, look for woven material. White "muslin" shirts are acceptable, but should be limited. Button holes must be hand sewn. Where possible, top stitching should be done and done by hand.

 

Drawers: optional, but encouraged. Best if made of osnaburg, Canton flannel, etc. Button holes must be hand sewn.

 

Hats: Must be a: good quality slouch hat with appropriate non-synthetic ribbon around base of crown and edge of brim. An occasional C.S. patterned jean kepi or Mexican war style wheel cap would be acceptable. No "hillbilly" hats with 'coon parts. No hat brass or cords are acceptable, unless the event calls for it.

 

Shoes: bootees, British import shoes, other  period shoes or boots.

 

Socks: period wool or cotton (no modern style cotton or athletic socks, etc.).

 

Braces: civilian styles, cotton webbing, or canvas, with either hand sewn button holes or leather/cloth tabs.

 

Blankets: good quality wool (early war), jean,  coverlets, carpet blankets, and "captured"  US blankets when appropriate. No modern markings.

 

Ground Cloth: Can be a poncho, gum blanket, or painted/tarred ground cloth, oil cloths

 

Tentage: it is unusual, inappropriate to see shelter halves among Western Confederates. The mess has two flies available to it. If shelter is desired, string together ground cloths, make brush arbors, or seek shelter in severe weather. But come prepared to get a least a little wet, and go home happy if you don't get wet.

 

Knapsacks (optional): hard pack (for early war) and soft packs (Issac and Campbell, Mex war bags, some US double and a few Confed single bags) from a quality manufacturer or blanket rolls.

 

Haversack: White canvas, tarred canvas, Federal issue, documented styles and patterns.

 

Canteen: tin or wooden C.S. style, Federal style, etc.

 

Belt: C.S. "Georgia frame" or roller style buckle, forked tongue and appropriate buckles.

 

Bayonet/Scabbard: bayonet that fits correctly onto your weapon. C.S. manufacture, Federal, or Enfield style.

 

Cartridge Box and Cap Pouch: from quality manufacturer, made of leather or painted canvas. Cartridge box sling optional.

 

Weapon: 3-Band (unless temporarily cleared by the "mess" or appropriate for the event) percussion (or percussion conversion) musket: Enfield, Springfield, Richmond, etc. sling in optional. Bluing must be removed from the barrel, lock plate, etc.

 

 

Federal Impression:

Uniform Coat: 4 button sack coat, frocks coats, state coats(limited). Button holes- hand sewn, correct material and construction.

 

Pants: sky blue kersey wool made from a correct pattern. Button holes must be hand sewn.

 

Shirts:  Federal issue (domet flannel or flannel issue), civilian pattern and materials.  Correct material and construction.

 

Drawers: same as Confederate impression.

 

Hats: Hardee hat with no trim, brass, or cords (unless event calls for it). Forage caps, Good quality black slouch hat (no trim, brass, or cords),  kepis (limited).

 

Shoes: black bootees or boots.

 

Socks: same as C.S.

 

Suspenders: same as C.S.

 

Blanket: Any documented U S issue blanket.

 

Ground Cloth: rubberized poncho or ground cloth.  Correct size grommets

 

Tentage: shelter halves are correct for Fed, so get a good quality, correct one.

 

Knapsack: Federal double bag or blanket roll when appropriate. Hard packs, ONLY when appropriate and only after a double bag has been obtained.

 

Haversack: standard issue, tarred Federal style with buckle/strap closure and inner bag.

 

Canteen: Smoothside, Bullseye, both  preferably covered in a gray or brown jean wool.

 

Belt: US belt plates.

 

Bayonet/Scabbard: appropriate bayonet that fits your weapon. Scabbard: US style.

 

Cartridge Box/Cap Pouch: quality made, black leather, U.S. style.

 

Weapon: Three band Enfield and Springfield,   authenticated.