By John A. Miller

After studying many artifacts found on the Monterey Pass Battlefield, I have put together an impression that I am dubbing as the Monterey Pass Confederate Soldier Impression. There were several thousand Confederate soldiers that marched through, and in some cases encamped at Monterey Pass during the evening of July 5th, and the early morning hours of July 6th.

Let's begin with accoutrements, which are the basic equipment of an infantryman. Several buckles have been found on the Monterey Pass Battlefield. Two CS tongue sides of a tongue and wreath buckle have been found at Monterey. Also uncovered on the battlefield have been brass frame buckles and roller buckles, these are considered as general service plates. In addition to those finds have been several smaller buckles and knapsack hooks. Various canteen spouts have been found along the retreat route. Other items of importance such as buttons are a very important find. There have been several coin buttons, eagle buttons, as well as a few Texas buttons that have been recovered from the battlefield.

With that being said, and knowing that the depot system in Richmond, Virginia was in full swing, one can imagine the Richmond Depot jacket being the most prevalent among Confederate soldiers. However, the North Carolina shell jacket would also be a likely candidate for those troops considering the jacket was worn by Williams of the 53rd North Carolina. This jacket is documented as having been at Gettysburg, and the 53rd North Carolina encamped at Monterey Pass according to Leon Wilkinson, a Jewish Tarheel who kept a dairy of his experiences. Also you cannot rule out the fact that many other state issued jackets were worn during this period such as the Georgia jacket, the South Carolina frock coat, or even the four button jacket and civilian clothing.

Confederate Soldier Impression Guidelines at Monterey Pass

These findings helped to determine what uniform requirements would be best for the living historian who portrays the average Confederate soldier at Monterye Pass. For cavalry impressions, acceptable jackets would include a Richmond Depot jacket that has been classified as the Type Two, or a North Carolina shell jacket. There are a few photographs showing cavalrymen wearing Richmond Type Two jackets with wooden buttons. No solid yellow cuffs or collars and yellow trim.

The artillerist marching through Monterey Pass would also appear in a uniform close to that of a infantryman. Richmond Depot jackets would have been very common, standard shell jacket, state issue jacket or even a four button jacket would be most acceptable.

The Confederate infantry soldier in 1863 was far more uniformed than most think. Jackets should reflect the 1863 time period and be constructed as the original jackets were. They must be made from material that can be documented to the 1863 time period. Since the Depot system in Virginia was producing uniforms for the Army of Northern Virginia, the Richmond style shell jacket would have been more commonly seen in the Army of Northern Virginia, however the color can vary in shades, as well as the type of material it was made from. Materials should be jeans-cloth, satinette or cassimere. There may be a small of number of Richmond Type Two jackets made from English Kersey worn during the battle as well.

Since North Carolina had a depot near Richmond, and was very successful in clothing it's troops, many North Carolina troops would have been seen wearing a North Carolina shell jacket. With that being said, it does not mean that a North Carolina soldier would not have been issued a Richmond Depot shell jacket. Men were often issued what was on hand.

Since many flat brass buttons, in addition to CS general service spoon and wreath buckles have been found on the Monterey Pass battlefield, it is suggested that for the Maryland Confederate cavalry soldier, a Richmond Depot Type Two jacket with flat brass buttons would be worn.

Trousers can be of military or civilian pattern, and can be made in a variety of colors and material including cotton, jean, kersey or satinette. For headgear, a civilian style slouch hat or a proper Confederate kepi would be acceptable, while hat brass should be kept to a minimum.

Head gear can be a correctly lined slouch hat or a kepi constructed as the originals and made of materials documented to the time period. The bills can be made of leather or canvas.

Accouterments for cavalry should reflect the findings at the battlefield, in that the primary weapon should be a Sharps Carbine since many Sharps carbine bullets have been recovered. Also keep in mind that the 1st Maryland Cavalry were issued Sharps Rifles during the Spring of 1863 and they would have been prevalent during the Battle of Monterey Pass. Leather belts should feature the CS spoon and wreath two-piece buckle since two of them have been found on Emack's second battle line. As far as the 4th North Carolina Cavalry is concerned, there is a surviving shotgun seen on the Old South Antiques web site that was documented as having been recovered on the Monterey Pass Battlefield. Slugs from the Civil War period have been found in large quantities.

For infantry equipment guidelines I must say that roller buckles and brass framed buckles such as the Georgia frame would be more than appropriate. English items are documented as being issued to Confederate troops as early as 1862. Even though none have been found to date on the Monterey Pass Battlefield, you can't argue the fact that they were issued on a wide scale from cartridge boxes, belts, knapsacks to firearms. Cartridge and cap boxes can be of Virginia or North Carolina manufacture or documented as being issued to troops in the Army of Northern Virginia. The cartridge box must be in the same caliber as your rifled musket and cartridge box tins must be used.