March 15, 2003 Reenactment: Military Reenactor Guidelines: Uniforms and Weaponry The objective of this event is to put together as realistic a portrayal of Mosby's Herndon raid as is possible, within the context of safety considerations, time constraints in organizing the event, and the current layout of the Herndon Station site. Follow this link for detailed information on the event scenario. As noted on the main information page, this is not the sort of event where we are going to insist on hand-sewn buttonholes or inspect haversack contents. On the other hand, we hope that participants will aim for as authentic a portrayal as possible and we will assist them in this regard however we can. Below are uniform guidelines that could be helpful in developing your impression, both for Mosby's men and for the First Vermont. Uniform Guidelines for Mosby's Rangers: This raid took place early in the career of Mosby's Command. Civilian clothing is acceptable for those portraying Rangers as this was early in their career and several of the men were local farmers. Beyond that, any commonly available mid war uniform used in the eastern theatre will be acceptable as Mosby's recruits included a diverse group of men from other units. In particular, the group started with a detail from the First Virginia Cavalry, included many from the 4th Virginia Cavalry (Black Horse Company) and former members of the 17th Virginia Infantry so these uniforms would be especially appropriate. As the war progressed, Mosby's men made quite a lot of money from their raids and many had uniforms privately made by tailors, although some did wear Richmond Depot issue items as clothing issue rolls from 1864 survive. For this reason, the common sutler row wool broadcloth jackets are pretty much as accurate for Mosby's men as the jeancloth standard issue by 1864. Although this raid is a bit early for that, we need people and are NOT going to make a fuss if you have "the look". Boots are not required, CW period brogans (Confederate or Federal issue, or civilian) are fine. At least the front column of the mounted raiders should have Federal issue greatcoats if possible, as history suggests that that's how they were able to fool the First Vermont sentry into thinking they were Yankees. Elsewhere on MosbysRangers.com, we have provided more information on the uniforms of Mosby's Men, based on a study of 93 wartime images. First Vermont Cavalry: For the First Vermont, a generic eastern Federal cavalry impression is what we're aiming for. If you have a good eastern Federal infantry impression, it can be easily adapted. We have asked the First Vermont Cavalry reenactor unit based in Vermont for advice on the uniforms of the original First Vermont and will post that information here when received. More information on uniform guidelines and sources for assistance will be posted later. Weaponry: Confederate: The preferred weapon of Mosby's Rangers was the Colt Army, or Navy revolver, although several of the Federal units from which they captured arms were issued Remingtons. Many of his men also carried Sharps carbines, mostly used for dismounted skirmishing. However, this in was early in the history of the command, they had not yet conducted so many raids that all of them men were equipped with captured Federal weaponry and its probable that this raid involved new recruits from among the citizenry who might have brought civilian weapons and men from other cavalry units that might have stilll been fighting with muzzle loaders. Therefore, pretty much any goes, within reason, but check with us in advance. Pistols are needed for the initial mounted charge. As his partisan ranger career developed, Mosby quickly came to the opinion that sabers were outmoded and "only fit for cooking meat over a fire". However, many men of his command nonetheless carried sabers and they were used with greater frequency earlier in the Command's history. The Herndon raid is the only engagement where Mosby is documented as having specifically ordered as saber charge, but then quickly shifted the order to a pistol charge. Because of crowd safety issues (e.g. horses on asphalt) we are opening with a pistol charge but some of the Rangers will subsquently give chase on foot with sabers. Federal: The men of the First Vermont at Herndon station would have been armed with carbines, with a pistol issued as a sidearm and sabers. As it is probably that we will be unable to assemble a sufficient number of dismounted cavalry reenactors with breechloaders and pistols, (given the short notice in putting the event together), we would be delighted for Federal infantry reenactors to participate and any standard issue pistol or long arm (Enfield, Springfield, etc) is fine, although cavalry weaponry is preferred.   Key Links for Reenactors: Reenactors Schedule Event Scenario Site Map Parking Uniform Guidelines Civilian Guidelines Mounted Cavalry Camping /Hotels "First Person" Resources History of the Raid Contact us Return to Reenactor Information Main Page

Visit MosbysRangers.com For information on the event, contact: Richard Downer: mosbysraid@HRIAssociates.com (general information, logistics, civic involvement) Kathryn Coombs: MosbyWeb@aol.com (reenactors, living history program, website)