The First Virginia Regiment is a Revolutionary War living history and reenactment group. We portray Continental Army troops from the State of Virginia from 1775 through 1783. The group consists of soldiers who portray the Musket Company, the Rifle Platoon, the Artillery Crew, or the Mounted Dragoons. In addition, some members portray civilians who followed and supported the Army.

The unit maintains strict authenticity standards to which all members are expected to adhere. This includes the specific fabrics and other materials used for our military clothing and gear, as well as the patterns, and construction details. New members should understand that the unit has gone to great lengths to research each item, as well as to locate sources of supply and manufacture. Purchasing clothing and gear from sources other than those stipulated by the unit is strictly forbidden unless approved by the unit in advance. The unit recognizes that it takes time and money to achieve a higher level of authenticity and we do not expect new members to meet all requirements immediately. The group maintains a loaner locker of clothing and gear that new members may use while they obtain their military “kit,” so that they may take the time necessary to obtain the required uniform and gear. We believe that the level of authenticity, value, and satisfaction achieved by our requirements is well worth the time and effort for all involved.

Note that the exact details regarding the materials and construction of each item are subject to change based on research and supply. The unit will discuss each item in detail with new members. If these standards change due to continuing research, established members will be allowed one year to comply with the changes.

Please note the following:

While not explicitly listed for each item, proper fit is expected for each garment. For example, for breeches that means snug around the body without an overly baggy rear. Gowns and jackets should be snug in the bodice with a skirt/petticoat of appropriate width and length. For questions on fit do not hesitate to discuss with the Quartermaster/Quartermistress.

Standards are included for all participants of the First Virginia. Please review the standards that apply to you and your family thoroughly. If you have any questions contact your NCO early.

General Camp Standards

Camp Equipment/Miscellaneous

Military Standards

Soldiers
Riflemen
Artillery
Dragoons
Musicians (Fife and Drum)

Civilian Standards (including Militia)

Impression Requirements
Men/Militia
Women
Children

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Soldiers

This is the full uniform for the Musket Company. Variations for the Riflemen and Artillerymen are annotated below.

The Musket Company wears the uniform of the First Virginia Regiment prescribed by the Continental Congress in 1779. We know some details about this uniform from primary source documentation. Gaps in our understanding have been filled by comparable items that are based on well-documented examples from the period.

Regimental Coat: The coat is made from high quality dark blue and madder red wool Broadcloth, with a smooth finish. Coats are patterned after the well-documented 1779 Regulations as ordered by the Continental Congress. The wool coat is constructed with raw edges (except where noted), lined with serge and linen, and hand-finished. The materials must be purchased from the unit Quartermaster (QM) and made either by one of our approved tailors or follow our detailed instructions. The unit can provide help and guidance for members planning to make their own coat and other garments.

Small Clothes: The waistcoat and overalls are made from natural colored linen, twill-weave hemp fabric, or wool, all of which are available from the QM. The waistcoat is lined with linen and may have working pockets. The waistcoat must fit snugly through the body, be the proper length and fit, and may lace up the back. Overalls and breeches must fit very snug through the legs and may require tightening after they are worn the first several times since the fabric will stretch. These garments are to be made from fabric supplied by the QM following the unit patterns and made either by our approved tailors, or by the member.

Shirt: The shirt, worn under the waistcoat, is to be made of plain, medium weight white linen. The shirt may also be made of dark blue check pattern linen, purchased from the QM. No other colors or patterns of fabric are allowed. The shirt should have a high collar which folds over the neck stock. The cuffs should be no wider than 1 inch, and the shirt-tails should extend at least 6 inches, or more, below the crotch.

Neck Stock: Soldiers wear a black neck stock made of velveret (cotton velvet) or linen, lined with linen, and with buckram stiffening. A black thong or a stock clasp may be used.

Hat: A black cocked hat with white wool tape along the edge of the brim is worn. The cord (or tape) used to hold up the leaves of the hat is black. The cockade is made of plain black linen. Soldiers must purchase their hat from the designated supplier.

Shoes: Members of the unit wear period reproduction shoes. Shoes must be black leather with a plain nickel or brass buckle or leather ties.

Cartridge Box: Soldiers carry a reproduction of the Late War “Congress” box that the QM sells.

Bayonet Carriage: The QM sells finished bayonet slings with a heart-shaped frog, believed to date from the War. A “double-frog” sling in kit form is also available.

Haversack: Our haversack is based on the original British item in the Craig Nanos collection. This is sold as a kit and soldiers are expected to make this item.

Knapsack: All soldiers are expected to have a “New Invented Napsack-Haversack” as described in a document in the Maryland Historical Society collection. According to the period document, this was carried by troops from Virginia. This item is sold as a kit by the QM.

Musket: Only Italian (Pedersoli) and Japanese (Miroku) reproduction muskets are allowed; no India-made muskets are permitted for safety reasons. Muskets of other manufacture are subject to approval by the unit. New members who own one of these approved muskets when they join must have it inspected by the Commanding Officer, the First Serjeant, or the Safety Officer prior to fielding.

Beards: Continental Army soldiers were expected to be clean-shaven and beards and mustaches were not permitted. Common practice for soldiers during the period was to shave at least every two or three days, on special parade days, and for guard duty. The unit expects our soldiers to have no more than three day’s growth at an event. Goatees, mustaches, or any other creative facial hair is not permitted during our events.

Hair: The common hairstyle for soldiers during the period was typically tied in a queue, braided, or clubbed. Shorter styles were not unheard of, especially for farmers and tradesmen. At least one order for Virginia’s Continental soldiers, appearing in the Orderly Book of the 6^th Virginia Regiment, stipulates that the soldier’s hair should be cut short and all to the same length.

The unit understands the need for a professional daily appearance and does not currently have a requirement for hair length. Some members choose to wear their hair long or purchase a wig to enhance their 18th-century military appearance. If your hair or wig is long enough, it must be tied back with a leather thong, or a black ribbon of linen, silk, or wool tape.

Optional Items (Wear is subject to uniform of the day orders from the commanding officer):

Hunting Shirt: The hunting shirt worn is unique to the unit. It is based on descriptions of the garment worn by Virginia’s Continental regiments in Williamsburg during the period 1775 – 1776. Our hunting shirts are not based on descriptions of those worn by troops later in the war and do not follow the same pattern. While exact details are not known, our reproduction follows descriptions that we have uncovered through research.

The Hunting Shirt is made of heavy, natural color, oznabirg linen. It is a pullover style garment, cut short not to extend lower than the crotch, and has a shirt collar. An Officer’s Hunting Shirt has fringe on the collar.

Cartridge Box: The QM also sells a leather kit based on several New England style cartridge boxes that were carried during the War. Musket Company soldiers must purchase one of these from the QM.

Blue Wool Leggings: These are made from blue wool supplied by the QM, and following the unit pattern.

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Riflemen

The rifleman’s uniform follows closely with the Musket Company’s uniform and gear with the following exceptions.

The accoutrements carried by our riflemen, listed below, should represent in construction and style items that would have been available to a soldier from Virginia in 1775. Many of these items were brought from home by the soldier, but evidence suggests that the State was also supplying some accoutrements to riflemen. Items brought from home would have varied somewhat in style but all would have shared specific traits common during the period.

Rifles and rifle accoutrements changed dramatically in the years following the War, and our members must recognize that later styles are not acceptable fur use with our unit.

Because both rifles and accoutrements were largely personal items, we expect them to vary somewhat in style. The descriptions below should be helpful in understanding what constitutes a correct item. All equipment carried by our riflemen must be approved in advance by the unit.

Rifle: Members of the Rifle Platoon must carry a period-correct reproduction rifle made by, or made from parts from, an approved supplier. There are no ready-made period-correct rifles commercially available. Your rifle must be approved by the unit.

Rifles carried by riflemen during the war would most appropriately fit into a category commonly referred to as early rifles, that is, rifles from the mid-1770s and earlier. Rifles were almost exclusively equipped with brass mounts including trigger guard, butt piece, ramrod pipes, and side plate.
Patchbox: Early rifles usually incorporated a sliding wooden patch box. By the time of the war, some rifles had a simple two piece brass patch box which would also be permissible.
Stock: Early rifles typically had a wide (2” – 2 1/4″) butt piece. They also were straight, or nearly straight, where the piece fits into the shoulder. Most early rifles were a little more robust in stock architecture than later rifles and were typically a little thicker through the butt, wrist, and lock area.
Barrel: Barrels were “swamped” or tapered and flared so that they were thick near the breach, narrowed as they went forward, then flared out again about 6″-8″ from the muzzle. Most early rifles had larger bores and were about .45 – .50 caliber or larger.
Carvings: Most rifles had carving, either raised or incised, incorporated into the stock. Carving was not usually ornate, however.
Comb: Early rifles almost always utilized a straight comb with no curve on the upper part.
Trigger: Set triggers and single triggers were both utilized on early rifles.
Metal: All metal parts, particularly side plates and trigger guards, were inlet into the wood. Engraving may or may not be present on metal surfaces. If present, engraving was fairly simple and found on locks and side plates.

Accouterments: Talk to the rifle NCO about appropriate accouterments.

Hunting Bag
Powder Horn
Patch Knife
Other Edged Weapons

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Artillery

Members of the First Virginia’s artillery portray soldiers from the First Continental Artillery Regiment which was raised in Virginia in 1776. First Virginia Artillery members wear the late war Musket Company uniform as prescribed in Washington’s Orders of 1779 with the following exceptions.

Regimental Coat: Artillery coats include red wool lining for the coat tails and yellow wool tape around the buttonholes.

Hat: The Artillery cocked hat has yellow wool tape along the edge of the brim.

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Dragoons

Dragoon uniforms are currently under discussion by the leadership. Please talk to your NCO before purchasing or making any item.

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Musicians (Fife and Drum)

First Virginia’s Musicians wear the late war Musket Company uniform as prescribed in Washington’s Orders of 1779 with the following exception.

Regimental Coat: Musician coats are red with blue facing and white lining.

Musicians will also carry accoutrements necessary for their instruments rather than a musket and a soldier’s accoutrements.

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Civilian Impression Requirements

A proper impression is encouraged for all civilians. These impressions will not be packaged for you and will require some research on your part. However, thankfully much primary documentation can easily be found online. And many sources have already been curated for you on our Research Portal.

The following are suggested impressions that are appropriate to civilians found with the Continental Army. These are the most common roles seen with the Army; however, this list is not necessarily all-inclusive. If thorough research leads you to another impression, then please discuss your primary documentation with the Civilian Coordinator. It will be allowed if it is thoroughly researched and appropriate to the First Virginia.

Note that the role of Officer’s wife is reserved for those women who are indeed wives/significant others of the First Virginia Officers.

Women	Children (Aged 13 and over)	Men
Seamstress	Petty Sutler	Cordwainer
Laundress	Nurse	Chaplain
Nurse	Beggar	Sutler
Petty Sutler		Armorer
Poor bedraggled soldier’s wife/Beggar		Surgeon

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Men/Militia

Tips for getting started with a civilian kit can be found here.

Required items (amplified below):

- Coat or jacket
- Waistcoat
- Breeches or Trousers
- Shirt
- Neckwear
- Shoes
- Stockings
- Hat
- Hair

Clothing Item	Unacceptable	Minimum Acceptable	Best
Coats (Required)^	Regimental coats Hunting shirts, or over-shirts (except for militia) Baggy coats Cotton canvas or damask upholstery fabric	Workman smocks Well-fit workman’s coat in linen or wool with minor visible machine stitching	Hand-finished, well-fit coats in straight-bodied or cutaway styles, made of wool or linen Common colors for wool include drab, brown, green, red, or blue. Common colors for linen coats include naturals, browns, and blues …
Jackets and Waistcoats (Required)^	Regimental waistcoats Cotton canvas or upholstery fabric Extremely long or baggy waistcoats or jackets.	Well-fit waistcoats or jackets (sleeved waistcoat) with minor visible machine stitching in linen or wool	Hand-finished, well-fit single or double breasted waistcoats, skirted or square cut, with or without sleeves. Wool broadcloth, kersey, serge, linsey-woolsey, or linen in drab, brown, white, green, red or blue Sleeved waistcoats may be worn as the primary outer garment for working men …
Breeches and Trousers (Required)^	Regimental breeches Fringed trousers Breeches sagging in the thigh or knee Petticoat over-breeches (Sailors only) not worn over breeches	Well-fit breeches or trousers with minor visible machine stitching Fall-front trousers of linen or hemp canvas, either plain, checked, or striped in color	Hand-finished, well-fit fall-front breeches Wool broadcloth, kersey, linsey-woolsey, serge, cotton velvet, wool plush, linen, or leather Knee bands may have buckled, tied, or buttoned closures Common colors include blue, brown, black, drab or natural …
Shirts (Required)^	Cotton calico Plaid shirts Shirts with collars more 4’’, cuffs more than 1’’	Machine stitched checked, striped, natural or white linen shirts. White wool flannel shirt Collars 4’’or less, cuffs 1’’or less	Hand-stitched, checked, striped, natural or white linen or wool shirts Cuffs made with two buttonholes to each cuff and tied with tape or closed with sleeve-buttons (cuff links) …
Neckwear (Required)^	Military horsehair or leather neck stocks.	Machine hemmed cotton handkerchiefs	Hand hemmed silk, linen, or cotton handkerchiefs Pleated linen neck stocks with buckles Linen rollers …
Stockings (Required)^	Horizontally striped stockings and modern socks	Machine-knit cotton, wool, or silk over-the-knee stockings Tied with leather or cotton/linen tape garters below the knee.	Hand-knit or frame-knit over the knee stockings in linen, wool, silk, or cotton, in white, blue, grey, brown and black …
Shoes (Required)^	Sneakers, slippers, or any other obviously modern shoes. Civil War bootees Riding boots	Commercially available brown or black leather lace up shoes Period-style machine sewn black, brown or red leather shoes with buckles or single hole with tape tie.	Hand sewn black leather shoes with buckle or ties. Straight-lasted and round toed Hobnails
Legwear (Optional for rural impressions)	Tall military gaiters Baggy spatterdashers Wool or Indian leggings	Well-fit canvas spatterdashes with minor machine finishing Gaiters needed to hide unobtrusively modern leather footwear.	Well-fit, hand-finished spatterdashers or farmer’s half-gaiters of black, brown, or drab wool, or black leather. …
Hats and Caps (Required)^	Slouch hats from unfinished blanks Fur caps Military hats and cockades	Oval-blocked hats made of black felt in cocked or round styles Round straw hats for sailors and laborers Paneled linen workman cap	Hand-finished, round-blocked, hats made of black wool or beaver felt (gentlemen only), cut round, and either left plain or cocked in appropriate civilian styles. Gathered linen or knit-wool Monmouth cap.
Cold/Wet weather clothing	Oilcloth Modern synthetic rainwear Outer garments from other historical periods.	Machine-stitched greatcoats, surtouts, and cloaks made of wool broadcloth in blue, brown, gray, red, and black with a collar and at least one circular shoulder cape. Plain wool blanket	Well fit, hand-stitched greatcoats, surtouts, and cloaks made of wool broadcloth in blue, brown, gray, red, and black with a collar and at least one circular shoulder cape. …
Facial Hair^	Beards Goatees Mustaches if other than German	Clean shaven. Slight stubble (five o’clock shadow) is acceptable for working men. Handlebar style mustaches are acceptable for a German portrayal only.
Hair^	The 1VA understands that concessions must be made regarding hair as reenactors must also function in the professional world. Men are encouraged to wear wigs or false queues, styled in a period manner. Men with longer natural hair may wear it queued (wrapped tightly in long lengths of wool or silk ribbon) or clubbed (folded back on itself and tied in the center with a knot or bow).
Carrying Your Items	Military haversack Military knapsack	Wallets Market wallet Tied handkerchiefs Pockets in garments

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Women