The California Column
Shirts
A. 1851 Contract wool flannel shirt, machine-sewn in solid
color (gray, blue, red, tan, or natural)
B. U.S. Army issue M1851 domet flannel, either
hand sewn or machine sewn
C. Private purchase shirt, either hand sewn or machine-sewn
Note: G.O. 3 specifies two shirts - one worn, one in the knapsack.
It is recomended,
but not required, that participants bring two shirts.
Drawers
A. U.S. issue, canton flannel, hand sewn or contract machine-sewn
B. Private purchase/civilian, of period correct pattern & construction
Note: G.O. 3 specifies two pair of drawers - one worn, one in the knapsack.
One pair recommended but not required. Please no modern underwear (go without).
Coat
A: Model 1858 Fatigue Coat (Sack Coat).
Note: G.O. 3 specifies the blouse (fatigue coat) is to be worn. Frock coats were packed and left in California.
Trousers
A: Schuylkill Depot trousers
B: Government contract trousers.
Headwear
A: U.S. Model 1858 Uniform Hat (Hardee)
B: Forage Cap
Note: G.O. 3 specifies that the Forage Cap should be carried [in the knapsack] and
that the hat should be worn without any
trimmings. Having both hats is preferred but either one, by
itself, is acceptable. Early war pattern Forage Caps are preferred.
So called "Type I" hats - those
having smaller crowns and crescent shaped bills - tend to be more common in early war
images.
Footwear
A: Jefferson bootees - sewn soles preferred but pegged soles acceptable
B: U.S. Army issue boots - sewn soles preferred but pegged soles are acceptable
C:
Private purchase footwear - shoes or boots - sewn soles preferred.
Note: Colonel Carlson stated a preference for sewn soles, as pegs could dry out, shrink, and fall out in the dry desert.
Greatcoat
A: Schuylkill depot greatcoat - hand sewn preferred
B: Contract
greatcoat hand sewn or machine sewn.
Suspenders/"waist" belt
A: Suspenders of correct known period pattern.
B: Waist Belt of
period type & style instead of suspenders.
Socks
A: Military issue, wool
B: Private purchase, wool or cotton.