"ICE CREAM SUIT"

NPS Battlefield, Pea Ridge, Arkansas - March 8 - 10, 2024

1st MO. Brigade IMPRESSION

1st Missouri Brigade "ICE CREAM SUIT"

1st Missouri Brigade Impression

This impression is the men of General Sterling Price's Division - 1st Missouri Brigade. We will portray the 2nd Missouri Infantry Regiment commanded by Colonel John Q. Burbridge. These men of the Brigade and each Regiment within were enlisted into Confederate service from the ranks of the Missouri State Guard while in winter camp at Osceola, MO December of 1861. The first mass issue of uniforms from the CSA war department to these troops happened March 1-2, 1862, days prior to the Battle of Elk Horn Tavern/Pea Ridge March 7-8, 1862. These uniforms issued to Missouri troops included a jacket and trouser set of undyed jean wool cloth which was white in color, and osnaburg cotton shirts.

Perhaps the most well-known issue of these white jean wool uniforms was to the Missouri troops in Northwest Arkansas in early 1862. These were delivered to General Ben McCulloch’s army in the Boston Mountains and were allotted to General Sterling Price's Division. The clothing included part or all of two shipments of 5,000 white Kentucky jeans suits, and osnaburg shirts.

By early March of 62 these men had for the most part phased out their arms from the shotguns and civilian arms they brought with them from home as General Sterling Price was buying up all arms and accoutrements he could. Along with the capture of US arms and equipment, and the few arms issued to them by the CS Quartermaster Dept. the Brigade had armed and equipped themselves into a military force and battle tested command.

The reference example for this impression is the uniform worn by John Thomas Appler, Company H, 1st Missouri Infantry.

SOURCE LINK

1st Missouri Brigade “ICE CREAM SUIT” Impression

Headgear - Jean wool kepi or civilian style slouch hat.

  • NO shapeless hillbilly hat blanks, US forage caps, US dress hats, wheel hats, hat brass.

Shell Jacket - Undyed natural cream wool/cotton jean fabric body constructed with one piece sleeves and one piece collar, featuring left chest pocket and 9 hand sewn buttonholes. No topstitching and lined with undyed osnaburg cotton fabric. 9 wooden 2 hole buttons. Reference the (Appler Jacket) reviewed in detail on Adolphus Confederate Uniforms website.

Trousers - Undyed natural cream wool/cotton jean fabric military style mule ear trousers constructed with hand sewn buttonholes and Osnaburg cotton fabric interior pieces. Reference the (Appler Uniform) reviewed in detail on Adolphus Confederate Uniforms website.

Shirt - Military-issue undyed Osnaburg cotton fabric or civilian-style homespun cotton fabric.

Footwear - Period civilian boots or military-issue shoes - Jefferson booties/brogans.

Musket - 3 Band Enfields or Pre-War Springfields (1816, 1842, 1855).

Belts - Black with fork tongue buckle or roller buckle belts

Cartridge Boxes - CS issue boxes, or captured US issue boxes - appropriate styles include.

  • Wellborn, Nichols, and Oliver

  • Magee, Horter, and George

  • Unmarked early war Confederate Box

  • As the last result- remove plates from your US Box

Cap Pouches - CS issue pouches, or captured US issue pouches - appropriate styles include.

  • CS issue cap pouches – same as cartridge boxes

  • US 1850 pattern pouch

Bayonet Scabbards - CS issue scabbards, or captured US issue scabbards.

Haversack - Documented Confederate issue haversack of painted or unpainted cloth, or captured US issue painted haversack. With a period plate, tin cup, fork, knife, and spoon of period fashion. Poke sacks for rations, matches, candles, and personal items.

Canteen - CS tin drum canteen, wooden drum canteen, or US issue canteen.

Knapsack or Bedroll - CS single bag knapsack, pre war hardpack

  • Depending on what you prefer to carry. Each man should have a CS or civilian blanket or coverlet and ground cloth

*All participants must leave their cellphones in their car while in the "field."

* All participants must wear period eyewear.

* Last but not least... all soldiers while on duty will wear their jackets while in the field. Unless you're in camp and NOT on duty.

Thank you for your interest in "ICE CREAM SUIT" event, we encourage you to contact us with any questions you might have.

Please send all questions by email to event organizers and we will work hard to respond within 24 hrs.

Event Coordinator / Webmaster: Christian M. Shuster - christianmichealshuster@gmail.com

Illustrations by Robert L. Kroening - @rlkhistoricart

See you in MARCH 2024!!!!

"WEST IS BEST"