Rules & Guidelines for the March

This event is meant to be a educational experience to help better understand the life of a soldier on campaign and improve upon the current impressions as an army on campaign.  You are allowed to bring any items that you feel you need to get you through the trek as long as they are period correct. Just remember, Whatever you bring with you will have to be carried on the march. That being said here are some pointers to help you prepare.

Rules to Follow for the Campaigner March

This march will be conducted as a company level event, therefore, all participants are asked to come as an enlisted private unless otherwise notified. Command structure will be designated by the event coordinators.

All participants will be on their own for food rations. We ask that participants please stick to period correct rations, If that is not possible for you, please put all rations in some type of period correct container or bag. There may be a chance to forage for some rations, however, that is not certain. There will be no way to cook any rations while we are on the march as we cannot build a fire on the trail. There can only be fires made at our campsites on Thursday night Friday morning and at the designated stop in Peru, NE on Friday around midday. All cooking pans and utensils will need to be packed and carried on the march. Please plan for this when packing for this event. Along the trail for the march, we have designated water stops (since it is not safe to drink from the Missouri River). These stops are approximately every 4 miles along the trail. Remember, this will be early October in Nebraska, and the weather can be unpredictable. It may be cool/cold at night and warm/hot during the day. If you think you'll need an extra canteen, blanket or overcoat, feel free to bring one just remember if you bring it, you'll need to carry it. 

There are a few required items that participants MUST bring on the march. Most of them are described in the Uniform Guidelines column on the right. These items include:

  • Uniform
  • Rifle or Musket with Bayonet
  • Knapsack and/or Bedroll (depending on your preference)
  • A Full Cartridge Box and Cap Pouch
  • Haversack, Canteen, Cooking Utensils
  • Ground Cloth and Blankets

Anything else you would like to bring you can (as long as it is period correct), such as a dog tent or shelter half, personal effects, etc. Just remember if you wish to bring it, you will have to carry it on the march.

Uniform Guidelines for the Campaigner March

The impression for the march is Western Confederate, so the uniforms should be made from jean wool material.

Headware- Slouch hats made of proper construction and material. Kepis are also allowed, made from proper construction and material.

Shirts- Civilian pattern shirts made from proper construction and materials. Confederate and Federal issued shirts are good, but must be made from proper construction and materials.

Coats/Jackets- Jean Wool Frock Coats, Columbus Depot Jackets, Mystery Depot Jackets, and other Western Theater or Deep South Depot Jackets are permitted. All Coats/Jackets must be made from proper materials and construction.

Trousers- Western depot trousers made from proper materials and construction, preferably no Federal trousers.

Shoes- Jefferson Bootee, civilian shoes, or other documented style shoes/brogans, and boots (military or civilian pattern) permitted. Must be made from proper construction and materials. NO NYLON LACES, WORK BOOTS, TENNIS SHOES ALLOWED.

Leathers- Documented Confederate issue or captured federal leathers allowed.

Haversacks- Civilian pattern, captured Federal tarred haversacks allowed. Must be made from proper material and construction.

Canteens- Confederate tin drum, wooden keg style, captured federal m1858 smoothside canteens allowed.

Knapsacks and blankets- Confederate issue Mex War, Kibbler knapsacks, captured federal early war double bags, single bags, hardpacks, state issued knapsacks, English import knapsacks are allowed. If no knapsack is available, bedrolls will be ok. Blankets and ground cloths must be made from proper materials, patterns, and construction. Just remember anything you need to survive the weekend you will have to carry with you.

Weapons- Any 3 band Enfields, 1855/1861 Springfields are allowed. No 2 band rifles or “Zouave” rifles allowed. All weapons must be clean, in proper working order, and should have ramrods and fitting bayonets.

Questions or Comments?