As a member of the 2nd Vermont, you will come to better understand the true experience of a Civil War infantryman by walking a mile in his brogans, drilling, and cooking your meals over the campfire at night, sharing stories of battle, and sleeping on the ground in dog tents. And you will even come to remember it fondly! Here are the basic uniform guidelines

BASIC UNIFORM and GEAR:

JACKET: 4-button Sack Coat or U.S. nine-button Infantry Frock coat.

TROUSERS: Sky blue, no trim.

SHIRT: U.S. Issue shirt or civilian pattern of the period.

HEADGEAR: Type 1 or 2 Forage Cap
or McDowell pattern. Hardee or Slouch Hat (black). Check with First Sergeant before purchasing other.

FOOTWEAR: Brogans. No work shoes, hiking boots, or similar, without permission from First Sergeant.

RIFLE: (3-band): 1861 Springfield preferred, 1858 Enfield acceptable, ArmiSport or Euroarms Mfg.
No two-band rifles are allowed.

BAYONET: Model 1855 Bayonet
withscabbard.

LEATHER GEAR: Waistbelt and M1856Cap pouch, M1850Cartridge box and M1855 sling.

TINWARE: Smoothside Canteen,
M1858, Mucket (tin cup with bail), Dipper (tin cup), M1851Tin plate,
three prong fork and knife.

HAVERSACK and KNAPSACK:Tarred haversack, M1851 knapsack (double bag).

BRASS: US oval belt plateand US oval box plate, US round eagle breastplate.

ACCOUTREMENTS: Lantern,shelter half (or 2 shelter halves),housewife (sewing kit),wool blanket (gray preferred),rubberized groundcloth or poncho.

A HISTORY OF THE UNIFORM
and ARMS ISSUED TO THE SECOND VERMONT:

JUNE 7, 1861: The 2nd Vermont was originally issued gray state militia uniforms from Vermont. This included a gray dress frock coat with gilded Vermont buttons (state seal), gray trousers, a gray cap described as "doe skin" colored with a blue cord trim, a gray overcoat with cape, and two gray flannel shirts. (This overall gray-clad appearance of the regiment was initially mistaken by the Rebels at 1st Bull Run to be their own troops.)

JUNE 19, 1861: The arms arrive and the men are disappointed when they are issued old .69 caliber Model 1842 smoothbore muskets.

AUGUST 28, 1861: The men are more contented as they trade in their smoothbore muskets for Enfield rifles. Soon after, much needed shirts, shoes and underwear arrive.

SEPTEMBER, 1861: Some blue uniforms are received and issued.

NOVEMBER, 1861: More blue uniforms and blue overcoats are issued....of poor quality and not lasting long.

FEBRUARY 7, 1862: The 2nd Vermont exchanges their Enfields for Springfield M1861 rifles.

MARCH, 1862: The 2nd Vermont is issued their shelter tent halves.....not fit for a dog and a small one at that!

MARCH 21, 1863: General Hooker issues an order requiring the men to wear corp badges on caps.

From 1862 forward, the U.S. Army issued replacement uniform items as were needed to the 2nd Vermont and these were of better quality due to the newly enacted military goods inspection system.