The 8th Texas Cavalry Co. B  as Federal Cavalry

      Generally we recommend you buy the equipment needed for a union cavalryman impression, because it would only take a few more items  to complete a confederate cavalryman impression. For example you could use all the equipment for a federal cavalryman impression and purchase a gray shell jacket or sack coat, to be able to do a confederate impression. Please call/email one of our troopers or the Stable Master/Sgt or the Commander for additional information as to purchasing gear for your impression. We in the cavalry are a friendly lot and if you have any questions, just give any member of the 8th Texas Cavalry Co. B a hollar. All of us in this hobby have spent a lot of money on our gear, we have learned through our purchases some of the pitfalls, and would be more than happen to pass the word on to new troopers.

I. Equipment Recommendations

These recommendations are to be a guide for Federal cavalry operations in the field (1861 to 1865) and camp areas. The prime objective is to give a common everyday cavalry trooper impression.

I. UNIFORMS (Minimum Recommendations)

Enlisted Man

1. COATS

Enlisted man's dark blue shell jacket or sack coat

2. TROUSERS

Trousers should be mounted union sky blues or dark blues.

3. SHIRTS

Shirt, pullover unbleached long sleeve muslin. As long as the shirt is period he can vary.

4. SUSPENDERS

The suspenders may be plain cotton in the H or X style with leather button holes.

5. FOOTGEAR

Footgear is to be  mounted high-topped black mounted boot or even black brogans.

6. HEADGEAR

Kepi or Forage cap hat, with crossed saber insignia on top, or a slouch hat

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Great coat of a proper pattern federal equipment . It could be sky blue.

8. BUTTONS

The buttons should be standard U.S. Army issue

Note: These are the minimum uniform recommendations for the Federal enlisted men Cavalry. A maximum effort has been made to reduce the amount of expense. You can have more if you wish. Only your pocketbook will slow you down. Federal Uniforms are standard as they were uniform in appearance during the Civil War. There were differences from one theater of operation to another and from one regiment to another. It is the intent of theses recommendations to adopt a standard that will allow the company to adopt a standard uniform appearance.

IN SUMMARY
Uniform Made with the following wools -- Sky Blue, Navy Blue or Gray.

Uniform Consisting of the following
1. Kepi, Bummer or Slouch Hat
2. Sky Blue or Gray Foot Trouser (for confederate)
3. Unlined Sack Coat or Shell Jacket
4. Leather Waist Belt (Black or Russet (for confederate))
5. U.S. or C.S. Oval Lead Filled Belt Plate (CS for confederate)
6. Unbleached Four Button Shirt
7. Adjustable Suspenders

II. ACCOUTERMENT

1. SABRE BELT

It should be M1851 U.S. regulation sword belt and should  be black. The belt is of very common use during war. It was an issue to the Federal cavalry and artillery. Buckles are eagle 51'.

2. HOLSTER

The holster should be U.S. issue period style and black. It was worn on the right side.

3. CAP BOX

The cap box is to be a 1850 U.S. cap box. It is to be black.

4. CARBINE CARTRIDGE BOX

It will be U.S. M1860 and black. This issue will be the standard equipment for Cavalry.

5. CARBINE SLING

It is issued federal cavalry. It should be black with brass buckle.

6. SPURS

Federal issue brass style

7. GAUNTLETS

It could be deerskin and kidskin.                                     -->

III. WEAPONS

1. CARBINE

The 58 cal. Sharps is the most common. Some kind is required. Some examples are: Federal breech loaders, Sharps, Spencer, Gallagher, Maynard, Smith, and some other black powder carbines used by the cavalry..

2. SABRES

They are to be U.S. M1840 dragoon (wrist breaker) or U.S. M1860 light Cavalry model.

Reproduction sabers can be purchased cheep. Don`t spend a lot on this.

3. PISTOL

Steel frame revolvers. Some examples are the Remington M1858 and Colt M1860 Army or Colt M1851 Navy. You can also use brass frame revolvers, but they were generally used by the south, due to limited metal.

4. AMMUNITION

You are to provide your own caps and other firing needs. Be your own judge on the amounts.

IV. HORSE GEAR

The following is the acceptable saddle and tack used by the Federal enlisted man.

1. SADDLE

The M1859 McClellan issue is standard. This saddle had a rawhide seat with iron fittings and brass pommel and cantle shields. Skirts, sweat fenders, and stirrups (covered) should be proper period girth.

2. SADDLE BAGS

The M1859 McClellan style required. It has two pouches, laced compartments, single straps, and is black leather.

3. HALTER

The M1859 style is needed. It is of black leather with a six foot leather lead strap.

4. HEADSTALL/BRIDLE

It is to be M1859 bit. It is to be black leather, single cheek buckles, period curb chain. It can be 1863 U.S. bit and period.

5. WATERING BIT (optional)

The M1859 style is needed. It is to be black reins attached.

6. CRUPPER (Optional)

Optional Black federal crupper.

7. BREAST STRAP (optional)

Federal Breast strap (heart shape )

8. LINK STRAP

The M1859 style or 1863 style is acceptable. It is attached to the halter and allows you to hook the horses together for dismounted action.

9. SURCINGLE (required you will not mount up without it.)

A must item to have with a McClellan saddle.

10. COAT STRAPS

Six straps are needed to tie your gear to the saddle.

11. CARBINE SOCKET

The M1859 style is to be used to keep your carbine from swinging while riding. This is not optional and will be used to secure your carbine.

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12. NOSE FEED BAG

This is used to carry feed for your mount. (required)

13. FOLDING CANVAS WATER BUCKET (optional)

14. SADDLE BLANKET

A good quality dark blue wool blanket is required for use as a saddle blanket. A good back-up blanket is recommended to have. The back-up blanket is to be used as a dry pad going on the horse or used as a double pad. The 1851 federal issue blue wool with orange strip is the correct issue for the period. It has difficult to obtain. Use solid blue wool blanket in lieu of 1851 pattern until available.

15. BRUSH, CURRY COMB AND HOOF PICK

These are common sense items that are required for the care of your horse. It must be period style if shown in camp.

16. BED ROLL

At least one wool blanket of period style quilt is required. It needs to be attached to the cantle. The saddle blanket will be carried by coat straps or leather strings.

17. PONCHO

It is good to have one at a rainy event.

18. HAVERSACK

The Federal black issue painted cloth or a canvas Haversack.

19. CANTEEN

U.S. 1858 smooth side or bulls eye dark blue wool or sky blue. You can have mounted black leather strap in lieu of white canvas issue.

20. TIN CUP/ FLATWARE and DISH

The tin cup and implements for food substance are a necessity as food is cooked over an open fire are carried in a haversack.

21. DOG TENT

Each trooper in Federal service was accustomed to a shelter half. It is most practical to acquire both halves as this will eliminate the necessity to sleep two to a tent.

22. A FRAME TENT

The A frame tent was most common during camp life for the Federal Cavalry. They were carried on wagons and set up on company streets during fix positions when not on extended raids.

V. CAMP RULES AND CAMP ITEMS

In some campaigns the cavalry was mobile and did not pitch camp for extended periods. When it did the following are guidelines for camp life. The following suggestion apply to fixed billet areas depicting winter camp only. Most of these items were carried on wagons and would not normally appear at a field encampment.

1. EXTRA BLANKETS

These can be used to cover modern items. Most period items are available and the need to have any modern equipment should be kept at a bare minimum.

2. BOXES

These are to be period styles only.

3. MISCELLANEOUS CAMP ITEMS

Any gear used in camp must be of period type. If there are any questions, ask the commander.

4. TENTS

The tents for the enlisted cavalrymen are Dog Tents and Wedge Tents or A frame tents. All trooper were issued a shelter half. It is permissible to carry two shelter halves. We do allow the larger tents when we are camping as the smaller tents are not comfortable. Please be advised that some National Events dictate what size and type tent you will have.

VI. HORSES AND MULES

1. HORSES AND MULES

Each trooper should strive to obtain a dark color. It is recommended to have a bay, sorrel or black horse but not absolutely required.

Do not purchase a paint or Indian pony, Appaloosa, or Palomino. Most National reenactments will not allow these breeds or colors. Some gaited horses are not recommended for this hobby as they have trouble at close intervals at a slow pace. It depends more on the horse than the breed.

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2. QUARTER HORSES

These horses had not been breed yet, but they are the most common around the area that would match period mounts. Any other breed may be used if it closely resembles mounts of the period. Common sense should be used as large draft horses etc would not be correct.

3. PURCHASES

If you are going to go and buy a horse we have listed a few of the breeds and colors, that you might see at reenactments. The breeds are most common are Quarter horses, Morgan, Tennessee Walkers, Missouri Fox Trotters, Saddle Breeds, and Arabians. Other breeds are acceptable.

Some of the above are gaited and are not generally recommended as their gait keeps them from staying in close formations.

4. COLORS

If you are about to look for a suitable mount and can't pick the color the bay was the color of choice of the period. The colors that are acceptable are sorrel, grays, wines, blacks, some roan, duns, reds, browns, bays, some buckskins.

5. SIZE

Horses should be close to around 15 hands high or bigger, depending on the rider. They can be smaller. It depends on the size of the rider.

6. TRANSPORTATION

Remember if you are in the cavalry, you also need transportation and trailers facilities for getting your mount to the events.

7. QUESTIONS

If you are unsure about a horse and you don't want to spend money needlessly, ask. The only stupid questions are the ones never asked.