The primary enlisted man’s jacket for the 36th was the four-button sack coat. These coats were made from thin, lightweight wool flannel that has a pronounced diagonal weave. The color of the coat is more of a rich blue and not a navy blue. The majority of issued sack coats were lined with a gray or brown flannel wool or jean cloth. All surviving examples have a tapered face stitching and hand sewn buttonholes. Avoid thick wool, dark wool, and large collars.
Should be of diagonal weave, tail eyes and hooks, two pockets in the skirt, quilted chest, functional cuffs, and hand sewn button holes.
The Illinois State jacket is an extremely rare garment to document from. Only one original is on display for public viewing, though rumors exist of two other surviving jackets. There is documentation of the 36th wearing such jackets, and they were extremely popular with enlisted men. We are in conjunction with WW and Company in producing a 36th copy based from a surviving original from the 52nd Illinois. More details to follow.
Trousers should be of sky blue wool with a diagonal weave. They should come up high in the rear to the middle of the back and the front should rise just above the belly button. While the 36th was issued dark blue pants at the beginning of its service, new clothing was issued after the Battle of Pea Ridge and the more common sky blue kersey version was supplied. This continued to be the case in subsequent issuance.
The most common style hat being worn by the 36th were the issue "Hardee" hats. Often, the men altered these hats. A few black civilian slouch hats would also have been present. Most of the men also had issue forage caps per the regulation, but these were normally kept as camp hats or fatigue duty caps. On campaign and in battle, most of the men wore black hats.
Concerning hat brass, We generally discourage the use of any, except perhaps a company letter, but even this item was more the exception and not the rule. So please, NO brass bugles or numbers on your hats or uniforms unless designated for the scenario. We allow a few IV Corp badges to be worn if we are doing late 1864 or 1865 scenario.
The 36th Illinois was issued brogans throughout the war. These should be ankle high; wood pegged or stitched leather soles with optional hobnails and heel rims. Pegged soles were generally more common most with the Eastern Theater, and sewn welts more Western Theater. Soldiers sometimes replaced these with civilian shoes or knee boots and even cavalry boots. It should be noted, boots were less common with infantry on campaign. All are acceptable.
Should be of a period pattern and 100% handsewn if possible.
Socks should be wool or cotton and usually hand knit.
There is no record of the 36th wearing gaiters and are not allowed. We will be doing other unit portrayels from time to time, and allowed only if specified under scenario guidelines.
Drawers can be either army issue of a civilian pattern. Material should canton flannel, cotton, and dommet flannel.
Must be made of period construction and have handsewn button holes.
Should be made with a standing collar, handsewn button holes, collar hook and eye, and unhemmed skirt bottom.
The canteen is worn much in the same way as the haversack; it should lie in the small of your back when slung around. Regulation straps for canteens was 72 inches. Many soldiers often sewed these straps so they would fit properly. The original soldiers could sew and they made this adjustment. Also, if you wear a blanket roll, the canteen is the last thing you put on, over your blanket roll, so make sure that the strap is measured to ride over the blanket roll for acorrect fit. Jute twine should be used to connect the cork. Canteen covers came in a variety of styles, but more often in a brownish jean. Uniform blues are often over represented.
It should be slung to fit the vicinity of the small of his back. If your haversack sling is too long, do what the soldiers did, find the right height and sew the strap in the fold so it is the correct height. The haversack was also worn underneath the blanket roll, but over the knapsack straps.
Your waist belt should be worn on your waist, not below it! If you are not sure where your waist is, use this guideline: Have your belt plate lie directly over your navel. That is close enough, but the point is that your belt would have been worn high on your body, not low!
The 36th was originally issued hardpacks with pine box frames. The frames themselves seldom survived through use. See our research section for photographs of the 36th knapsack.
Should be either the gray regulation version or the brown issue with a "US" chain-stitched in the center. Both had dark end stripes. When ordered to drop knapsacks, the men removed their blankets and gum blankets from them and wore them over their shoulder. If you wear a blanket roll, we recommend that you roll it up and then twist it until you bring the ends together and tie it, then sling it over your shoulder. If you are going to wear it while in a battle scenario, we recommend you sling it over your left shoulder for ease of firing the musket.
We encourage the use of dog tents, shebangs or "sleeping under the stars". Other types of tents may be more appropriate in other parts of the military or civilian camp. Officers may use the single fly. We want to be reasonable in this regard, but we are generally not portraying garrison troops or a unit in winter or permanent camp. Shelter tents will measure 65" x 64" of 8oz. canvas with handsewn button holes.
The preferance is a gum blanket, but ponchos will be allowed.
After the battle of Stones River, the most common rifle muskets issued to the 36th was the British Enfield or the U.S. Springfield. Company B was originally armed with Enfield Rifles, while other companies in the regiment received converted .69 caliber smooth bore muskets of the Springfield Model 1816/1842 variety or Belgian imports. Austrian Lorenz rifle muskets were issued to some of the regiment, but not in large numbers.
Make sure your bayonet fits your rifle! Remove any non-period markings.
Only period representative eyeglasses and pocket watches should be used. Please comply.