This text is not offered to criticize anyone's impression. We have all improved over our predecessors and still have room for more. The greatest reward is the fact that we continue to learn as we teach.

My first mistake when I became a reenactor was to tailor my impression around what I thought looked good on me. Unconsciously, I retained some of my 20^th century appearance. I had to realize that I was not portraying myself, but someone who lived over 135 years ago- with different customs, mannerisms and dress than I was accustomed to. Because we are creatures of the 21^st century, this is initially the most difficult to transform. We can never do it completely (no one wants lice or dysentery) but we can come close enough to offer the public a reasonable facsimile of Confederate cavalry on campaign. Understanding that there are no absolutes, the living historian should strive for a generic impression. His appearance shouldn't be gaudy, but basic. The 7^th Tennessee's rule against yellow trim is for that reason, though it is obvious that a minority of soldiers wore trim- especially early war. Brass hat ornaments and hat cords should be discouraged for the same reason. They were seldom seen among Tennesseans. Anyway, your horse lets everyone know you are a cavalryman. Veterans became practical, wearing or carrying only what was necessary for survival. Try to imagine yourself on a real campaign with a real chance of being killed. You must depend on your horse to safely return to your own lines. What would you carry? What would you leave behind?

Though we should always be military in routine and drill, it must be understood that the Confederate soldier was a citizen soldier. From necessity much of his clothing came from home. This is especially true for the men who rode with Forrest. Men were frequently given furloughs in the winter to obtain fresh clothing for themselves and their messmates. By studying the civilian clothing of the period, one can develop the basics for a western Confederate impression. Hats, shirts, vest, trousers, boots and shoes, and even sack coats can be of civilian styles. Women at home largely made even depot issue clothing that was contracted to the Confederate government. When issue uniforms were received they were usually jackets and trousers of the same fabric and color. Homespun jeancloth became prevalent as a symbol of the South's ingenuity in the face of the blockade. Of course, the other supplier of the Confederates was the generous foe. However, Federal authorities issued orders to execute Confederates wearing in whole or part any Union uniform. Also, the confusion on the battlefield prompted Forrest and other Confederate commanders to order troops to re-dye captured trousers and overcoats as soon as possible. They were usually dyed butternut or black with vegetable dyes on hand, such as walnut shells, indigo, copperas or sumac- much the same dyes used in Confederate uniforms from mid-war on.

Probably the most noticed part of an individual's impression is the hat, and yet, there are more than a few reenactors that wear incorrect ones. There is a difference between a period slouch hat and a 3x Bailey hat from a western store. Though a new company called Stetson had invented the shake hat just prior to the war, most hats were still of wool felt. Many varieties were popular during the 1860s- from the common slouch hat, beehives, coachmen, wideawakes, derbies and even wheelhats. Black seemed to be the predominate color, followed by brown and gray. White felt hats were rare. Most hats had silk band on the crown and many sported trim tape on the brim for reinforcement. The hat was seldom worn with the brim low over the eyes because a man would be considered "shifty". Some soldiers would turn the brim up on one side or in the front to facilitate shooting. Though some troopers from certain states adorned their hats with stars (Texas & Miss.) or palmettos (South Carolina), brass cross-sabers and unit numbers or letters were rare in the western theater. Hat cords were not an issued item to enlisted men. Straw hats were popular in summer if available. Forage caps and kepis were sporadically issued. Except for early war, they usually contained no trim. They were never as popular with the troops on either side in the west as the more utilitarian slouch hat.

1861 Confederate regulations called for a "double-breasted frock coat" to be worn by enlisted men. With the necessity to save material, a new shorter jacket quickly emerged- the shell jacket. Hundreds of thousands of these were manufactured during the war. Initially, a soldier's jacket was usually tailor-made wool, as his civilian clothes had been. As the war progressed, a shortage of fine wool developed in the South. Homespun or jeancloth, a coarse mixture of wool and cotton, became a substitute fabric for uniforms. It was easily manufactured at home and became a sort of symbol of Southern independence. They were dyed with vegetable dyes as earlier mentioned. Though gray was the preferred color, the cloth would soon oxidize giving a yellowish-brown hue. It should be noted that today's reproduction uniforms are chemically dyed and will not oxidize. It is up to the individual to replicate the effect by using a weak solution of gray and tan dye dispensed with a pump sprayer to weather it. Jeancloth should never be washed or dry-cleaned. You are supposed to look dirty anyway. Since reproductions are usually machine sewn, an individual may add hand stitching at the seams and buttonholes with heavy brown thread. Early versions of shell jackets often contained shoulder straps or belt loops. These were eliminated as the war progressed. Exterior pockets were common in jackets manufactured in Alabama and Mississippi. The number of buttons varied between 5 and 9. The most common buttons were state, wood, shell and Federal. Block 'C' buttons were not as common in the west, but some 'gilt' letter buttons were made in Montgomery.

Vest were sometimes made of the same fabric as the jacket, especially if a complete suit was sewn by a loved one back home. This vest often had a standing collar. Civilian vests with lapeled collars were also common.

This was the standard civilian outer-garment for men. With a small lapel collar and a 4-button front, a soldier in lieu of a shell jacket would wear the sack coat. Some coats were given a standing collar and a fifth button to give it a more military appearance. Captured Yankee sack coats were re-dyed and worn for the same reason.

White muslin shirts were most common. These and gray flannel shirts were issued to Union troops in large quantities. Other civilian shirts of various patterns were popular. Shirts were of the pullover type with 4 or 5 buttons. It was customary to button up to the neck. Slaves normally wore calico. In the early stages of the war large over-shirts called 'battle-shirts' were prevalent, especially before jackets were available. Many contained colored trim and large pockets. 'Bib' shirts were normally of a 'shield' design instead of the type offered by most sutlers today.

These were of a loose fit with either a 'tie-back' or 'belt-back'. There were no beltloops as they were worn to fit or were supported by galluses (suspenders) attached with buttons of bone or tin. Pockets could be 'side-seamed' or 'mule-eared'. Wool was the preferred fabric for civilian trousers, though homespun or cotton began to appear as the war progressed. Depot issue trousers were usually the same for all branches of service. Some troopers improvised by sewing parts of gum blankets, canvas or leather in the seat for re-enforcement. Civilian trousers could be of designs such as 'houndstooth' or 'pinstripe'. The Alabama Division discourages the use of 'sky-blues' for a Confederate impression.

Mid-nineteenth century footwear was square-toed and square-heeled. Of course, boots were preferred by cavalrymen, with the straight-topped civilian style the most available. Knee-boots were popular if they could get them. A general shortage of leather by mid-war caused many improvisations. Some boots were made with wooden soles. Many troopers in Forrest's command were relegated to wearing captured Yankee brogans. ( Forrest captured 6000 pairs from a river transport during the Johnsonville raid). Confederate issue, Union or civilian spurs can be worn. (Several companies that would later comprise the 7^th Tennessee Cavalry were issued spurs made by the Memphis Novelty Works upon mustering in. At present, no one manufactures reproductions of these).

I recall reading in the memoirs of a Pennsylvania cavalryman that a sutler sold portable iron stoves to his entire unit before they went to the front. These recruits actually strapped the contraptions to their saddles and attempted to ride with them. The Virginia countryside was strewn with stoves within the first mile. Another group of Yankee troopers purchased iron vest, which a sutler had promised, would stop bullets. The last lesson that some would learn was that they didn't work. Though not as outlandish, some unscrupulous sutlers today will sell shoddy or historically incorrect items to an unsuspecting reenactor. Canteens that leaked or fell apart because of faulty soldering and frail tin cups that collapsed are some of the items that I have purchased. Just because a sutler sets up his tent at a reenactment does not necessarily mean he knows or even cares if his wares are dependable or correct for the period. Military horse tack with brass hardware, modern bandannas, and blue and red porcelain enamelware cups, plates and coffeepots are some of the merchandise sold to, and unfortunately used by some reenactors. I have seen kerosene railroad lanterns offered; though they didn't come into use until the 1870's. The living historian's personal items are just as important a part of his impression as his knowledge of drill. A good rule of thumb is if you're not sure, don't use it.

The original 7^th Tennessee's longarms, like much of the Confederate cavalry, underwent a transformation as the war progressed. Initially, most were armed with double-barreled shotguns brought from home because of a shortage of weapons. These were of 8, 10 or 12 gauge and were not sawed off so some accuracy could be maintained. Pre-rolled cartridges of "buck and ball" were issued for shotguns by the ordnance department. Though shotguns could be found in the Confederate cavalry throughout the war, their use diminished as troopers obtained more accurate rifled weapons. Carbines were the preferred longarm of the cavalry. They offered reasonable accuracy with portability. The problem was that they were not always easy to obtain. Maynards saw some service early in the war due to a small supply in Southern arsenals, but metallic cartridges required by these were difficult to manufacture. By far, the most reliable carbine was the Sharps. Its use of paper cartridges also allowed a readily available supply of ammunition. Infantry rifles and rifled muskets were by far the most prevalent longarm in the Western Confederate Cavalry. They were more easily obtained, either from the enemy or their own ordnance department, and their superior range made them an excellent weapon against the increasing numbers of repeaters in the Federal ranks. Forrest's command utilized Enfield, Springfield and Mississippi rifles with great effect at such places as Chickamauga, Okolona, and Ft. Pillow; nullifying the enemy's superior rate of fire. The rifle was usually carried slung tightly over the shoulder. Veteran cavalrymen never carried their longarms strapped to the saddle. Saddle carbine boots did not come into use until the 1880s.

The revolver quickly replaced the saber as the prime weapon on horseback. Col. Mosby's statement, " If your close enough to stick 'em, your close enough to shoot 'em", was followed by much of the Confederate cavalrymen by late 1862. Evidence shows that the Colt Navy, 36 cal. Was the predominate revolver in the 7^th Tennessee. Large quantities were either contracted or duplicated by the Confederates. The Navy was very accurate and relatively light to carry. The Colt Army, 44 cal. Was the mainstay of the Federal cavalry, with numbers of these falling into Confederate hands. The most reliable was the Remington New Army 44. Its easily loaded cylinders and sturdy backstrap made it superior to the Colts. However, fewer Remingtons found their way into Confederate hands. Most troopers would not have carried more than two pistols in order to minimize weight. Quartermaster reports indicate that many carried no pistols at all by late war. Pommel holsters were dispensed with by enlisted men after early war (Cavalrymen learned to carry their firearms on their person). Revolvers should be loaded with regular Cream of Wheat or vermiculite for safety. Wonder wads should be discouraged since they can travel up to 30 feet when fired.

For centuries the saber had been the symbol of the cavalry. Images of gallant cavaliers engaged in personal combat inspired many 'Beau Sabeurs' to enlist in the cavalry at the beginning of hostilities. No one saber was the standard issue for Confederates. The U.S. model 1840, nicknamed 'wristbreaker', was found in U.S. arsenals throughout the South upon secession, and thus issued to some regiments. The newer model 1860 'light' cavalry saber also existed in lesser quantities and would become the standard issue for Yankee cavalry during the war. Local firms, such as the Nashville Plow Works, produced the majority of Confederate made sabers. Several of the early companies that would later be incorporated into the 7^th Tennessee received sabers made by the Memphis Novelty Works. (No reproductions of these are made). One of the reasons the Confederate cavalry quickly surpassed its Federal counterpart was the ability to adapt to a changing mode of warfare. Men like Forrest and Morgan, unhampered by West Point doctrine, realized the limits of the mounted arm and developed more practical and effective methods for the use of cavalry. Their men had to travel greater distances than their eastern brothers did. They traveled light and moved quickly; fighting dismounted in a pitched battle and using the horses only for maneuver. In the scheme of these tactics the saber was obsolete- a useless appendage that added unnecessary weight to the trooper's load. By mid-war, both Forrest and Morgan had banished the saber from the enlisted ranks. Major Hosea, a member of Union General Wilson's staff, recalled a meeting with Forrest during a truce just prior to the Wilson Raid. Upon receiving what was taken as a challenge by Major Hosea, Forrest replied," Gin'ril Wilson may pick his men and I'll pick mine. He may take his sabers and I'll take my six-shooters. I don't want nary a saber in my command- haven't got one... I ain't no graduate of West Point; never rubbed my back up agin any college, but Wilson may take his sabers and I'll use my six-shooters and agree to whup the fight with any cavalry he can bring". Forrest was able to prove his point later in the campaign, when he and his escort company of 80 men stopped a saber charge by an entire Yankee regiment, firing their Navy 36s from horseback and making good their escape. Though the Federals were slow to learn, they did make one adjustment, as mentioned by Capt. Fredrick Whittaker, 6^th New York Cavalry, in his 1871 book Lessons of a Decade. In reference to dismounted skirmishing he wrote,"The dash and impetuosity of a dismounted skirmish line is far beyond that of an infantry force of equal numbers. The men come into action perfectly fresh. His saber was left on the saddle". When we saber fight at late-war reenactments, what lessons are we teaching the public?

The 1859 McClellan should be the first choice for anyone entering the hobby. It allows him to have suitable equipment for both Confederate and Union impressions. Hardware should be iron or Japanned black. Union regulation called for a blue 'dragoon' blanket as saddle blanket, but photographs show that Yankee troopers also used any available blanket. A good second choice for a Confederate saddle- especially the western theater- is the Hope. Several photos show Confederates mounted on Hopes and diaries and memoirs reveal they were very popular. Russet leather seemed to be more common than black. Other saddles such as the Jennifer, Grimsley, Campbell and variations of the English saddle were also used. Your saddle should always be fully rigged for campaign whenever you're in the field. Several Confederates mentioned that they carried all of their blankets under their saddles because they had no saddle pads. Another note of interest that was researched by Ken Knopps was the issue of saddle blankets made from Spanish moss. As yet, no one makes reproductions of these.

In striving for better authenticity it is important not to be too critical of others. The old maxim, "You can catch more flies with honey", applies here as well. While each of us has our own comfort level, most enthusiasts are willing to accept constructive guidance. It is important to start the novice off right, because once he becomes a veteran he will be more set in his ways. The best procedure with those in other units is to just set a good example with your own.

This page was created by Cris Malone and is the property of the 7^th Tennessee Cavalry, Company D