Participant Information for 4th Texas Infantry, Co. H
150th Gaines' Mill Living History
June 23-24, 2012

Gaines' Mill Battlefield, Richmond National Battlefield Park

INTRODUCTION
Organized by member Jason Spellman, the Liberty Rifles are hosting an effort to commemorate the 150th anniversary of the battle of Gaines’ Mill. We are portraying Co. H, 4th Texas Infantry and will be performing drill, demonstrations, camp activities, and engaging with the public during the weekend. Other friends and like-minded individuals are welcome to join us

CONTACTS
Military Contact: Jason Spellman
Civilian Contact: Adrienne Robertson
Park Coordinator: Ed Sanders
Main Researcher and Author: Michael Clark

GENERAL GUIDELINES
1. No modern items visible.
2. All items shall be serviceable and yet have a campaigned appearance.
3. Participants shall make a reasonable effort to conform the guidelines.
4. All items shall conform to documented patterns and manufacture available during the period timeframe we are portraying.
5. No registration fee required, please bring your own rations for the weekend.
6. We request that your RSVP on our Facebook Event Page so we can report numbers to the NPS.
7. We ask that all participants come as privates, unless otherwise contacted by the organizer.
8. Parking at Garthwright House: 6005 Cold Harbor Rd., Mechanicsville, VA 23111
9. Camping at Watt House: 6283 Watt House Rd., Mechanicsville, VA 23111
10. Shuttles are available for transportion between the Garthwright and Watt Houses. If arriving late Fri. night, park at Watt House and move vehicle very early Sat. morning.

PARK SAFETY REGULATIONS
1. All equipment, to include firearms, shall be in serviceable and working order.
2. All firearms, accompanying accoutrements, and ammunition shall be subject to inspection as per NPS guidelines.
3. No live rounds or percussion caps shall be kept in the encampment. (collected by event coordinators upon participant arrival)
4. Ramrods will not be drawn or used during the firing demonstrations.

PRESERVATION
Coinciding with the Sesquicentennial of the Seven Days Campaign, we have an opportunity to preserve 285 acres of core battlefield land. The Civil War Trust is leading an effort to raise funds to purchase this land which would essentially quadruple the size of the park. There is a donation match of $2.67 to $1, so every dollar donated has a larger impact. Member Paul Boccadoro will be collecting funds for preservation of the Gaines’ Mill property, and our total amount will be donated in the name of our "Participants of the 150th Anniversary Commemoration." Please consider bringing a few dollars to donate towards this worthy cause!

SCHEDULE
Friday – IMPORTANT UPDATE:

If arriving before 7:00pm – Parking is at Garthwright House (6005 Cold Harbor Road
Mechanicsville, VA 23111). Shuttles will transport you to the campsite at the Watt House.

If arriving 7:00pm or later – Drive directly to the Watt House (6283 Watt House Road
Mechanicsville, VA 23111) and park. Please move your vehicle early Saturday morning to Garthwright House. No cars permitted on site during programs.

Saturday

5:30 – Reveille
7:00 – Officer/NCO meeting – we'll go over the day's plans and have a quick school for officers and guides
7:30 – Company Drill/School of the Soldier/Firings/School of the Company
9:00 – Formation/inspection of arms
11:00 – Public demonstration of 4th Texas advancing*
12:30 – Formation and march to staging area
1:00 – Public demonstration of 4th Texas advancing*
2:30 – Formation and march to staging area
3:00 – Public demonstration of 4th Texas advancing*
3:30 – Platoon drill

*For scheduled demos, we'll be posted in the woods off the Gaines Mill Trail and then:
1. Charge up onto the hill (next to spectators) with bayonets fixed
2. Face to the left, and march forward
3. Exit the demonstration area
(Please note this is what the NPS has specifically asked us to do)

Sunday

7:00 – Reveille
9:00 – Formation/inspection of arms
9:15 – Company drill
11:30 – Formation and march to staging area
12:00 – Public demonstration of 4th Texas advancing*
2:30 – Formation and march to staging area
3:00 – Public demonstration of 4th Texas advancing* (We are not asking people to stay this late, but we need a few who are able to stay for the final demo)

LINKS
Weekend Schedule: http://www.nps.gov/rich/planyourvisit/150th2012guide.htm
Richmond Battlefield: http://www.nps.gov/rich/index.htm
Civil War Trust: Save Gaines' Mill: http://www.civilwar.org/battlefields/gainesmill/gaines-mill---longstreet-attack-2011/

RANK STRUCTURE
Historically at Gaines' Mill, Company H of the 4th Texas had 49 men: 3 officers, 9 NCOs, 35 privates, and 2 musicians. We're hoping to approximately match these numbers (although not critical). The rank structure will be:

Capt. Jeff Hayes
1st Lt. Isaac Forman
2nd Lt. Josh Sawyer

1st Sgt. Tim Cole
2nd Sgt. Paul Boccadoro
3rd Sgt. Eric Esser
4th Sgt. Mark Bingham
5th Sgt. Aaron Cook

Cpl. Mike Clark
Cpl. Paul Luks
Cpl. Jason Patton
Cpl. TBD

Mus. Ian Broadhead (drum)
Mus. Alex Kuhn (fife)
Mus. Eric Smallwood (regimental bugler)

IMPRESSION GUIDELINES

The following impression guidelines are based upon available references to establish an accurate portrayal of the 4th Texas. Unfortunately, there is no clear-cut documentaiton of what the 4th Texas was wearing and carrying at this time, thus we had to use numerous resources to piece it together. The guidelines are the result of extensive research, collaboration, and reasoning among several of our group's advanced researchers.

For explanations of these guidelines, please see our detailed research here.

UNIFORM

Coats

Preferred:
1. Richmond Depot Type I
2. Commutation jacket resembling an RDI
3. Accurately made civilian coat
4. Plain, non descript jackets
5. Very heavily worn frock coat.
Avoid:
1. Richmond Depot Type III

Trousers

Preferred:
1. Confederate issued trousers. Materials should be satinette, cassimere, or jean with natural wool colors or any period correct natural dyes. Should be reasonably well worn.
2. Civilian styled trousers

Hats

Preferred:
1. Civilian slouch hats of any color
2. Texas stars are welcome
Accepted:
1. Confederate issued military hats/kepis made from satinette, cassimere, or jean with natural wool colors or any period correct natural dyes
Avoid:
1. Kepis made from blue wool or kersey

Shirts

Preferred:
1. Any documented civilian pattern shirt made from cotton, linen, or wool
Accepted:
1. Federal issued shirts

Drawers

Preferred:
1. Any documented pattern drawers made from cotton, canton flannel, linen, or wool
Accepted:
1. Federal issued drawers

Socks

Preferred:
1. Any documented pattern of cotton or wool socks
Accepted:
1. US Sanitary Commission or Christian Commission pattern socks

Shoes

Preferred:
1. Any documented pattern of Confederate issued shoes
2. Any documented pattern of civilian shoes
3. Federal issued shoes
4. Boots
Avoid:
1. English import shoes

EQUIPMENT

Muskets

Preferred:
1. Pattern 1853 Enfield
Accepted:
1. Model 1861 Springfield
2. Model 1842 Springfield
Avoid:
1. Any other government issued pattern or model musket not listed above
2. Civilian pattern or model firearms

Accoutrements

Preferred:
1. Documented Confederate issued accoutrements
2. Documented militia style accoutrements
Accepted:
1. Documented Federal issued accoutrements without plates
Avoid:
1. English pattern accoutrements

Haversacks

Preferred:
1. Confederate issued haversacks made of painted cloth or white cotton
2. Federal issued haversacks

Canteens

Preferred:
1. Documented Confederate issued tin drum canteens
2. Wooden Confederate issued canteens
3. Documented Federal issued 1858 smoothside canteens
Avoid:
1. Federal issued 1862 bullseye canteens
2. Any canteen constructed of stainless steel

Blankets

Preferred:
1. Documented civilian woven wool blanket or coverlet
2. Any documented Confederate issued wool blanket
3. Carpet blankets made from period correct ingrain carpet
4. Federal issued M1851 wool blanket
Avoid:
1. North Carolina blankets
2. English import blankets

Ground Cloths

Preferred:
1. Black painted ground cloth
2. Rubber Federal issue ground cloths and ponchos
3. No ground cloth
Avoid:
1. Civilian painted floor cloths

NOTES
- We will be portraying the 4th Texas while on campaign
- We will be using Hardee’s Manual, per documentation.
- Static campfires are permitted in designated areas and firewood will be provided.
- No tents shall not be used for the program.
- Bring 20 rounds and percussion caps. Rounds will be collected upon arrival.
- Participants may bring living history items for display.
- Please bring seasonal-appropriate foods. Such as:

Vegetables/Fruits Red potatoes Onions – white, yellow, and green Sweet potatoes Carrots Pea greens Turnips Cherries Cabbage Collard greens Lettuce Leeks Summer squash

Meats Salt pork and bacon Salt beef Fresh beef Bread Hard bread Soft bread Miscellaneous Apple cider vinegar Brown sugar Salt