The Liberty Rifles hosted an immersive Living History at Sailor's Creek Battlefield, portraying the 87th Pennsylvania Infantry, including a tactical demonstration of the engagement which took place there in April of 1865.  We assembled a battalion consisting of six companies, a color guard, field music, and a wagon and ran the weekend on a strict military schedule and in accordance with a military chain of command and structure.  

Impression Guidelines

87th Pennsylvania Infantry, spring of 1865.  Appearance and clothing should be worn and muddy as this is a very wet, active, and constant campaign once Petersburg breaks. Dirty is good, but be subtle about it - don't go overboard.  LIGHT marching order.  Shouldn't need anymore baggage than a shelter half, blanket, and gum blanket. 

CORPS BADGE

3rd Division, 6th Corps (light blue Greek cross).  Everyone should have a corps badge fixed somewhere on their kit (coat, cap, canteen).  The majority of privates would have had cloth badges sewn on.  NCOs and officers can get a bit fancier if so desired, with metal, or more ornate badges.   

Uniform

All clothing must be made with proper construction techniques, correct patterns, and 100% natural fiber cloth to closely mimic original goods.

Jacket/Coat:

• Blouses are greatly preferred as most images depict the 87th in this time with blouses.

• Commercial jackets and blouses, and enlistedmen's dress coats are also acceptable

Overcoats:

• Enlistedmen's infantry overcoats are very appropriate for early April.

Trousers:

• Sky blue federal trousers

Shirts:

• Federal Issue shirts preferred

• Citizen's shirts or shirts from home also acceptable

Headgear:  

• Citizens hat, dress hat or Federal cap - whichever you prefer

Footwear:

• US bootees or boots  

Equipment

All equipment shall be high quality reproductions in terms of construction and materials used.  NO SUTLER ROW JUNK.  

Baggage:

Light marching order.  Sketches of the 87th show the men with blanket rolls.  Knapsacks are acceptable as well but MUST BE A QUALITY REPRODUCTION. 

• Federal issue blanket

• Federal issue gum blanket

• Federal issue shelter half

Haversack:

• Federal issue haversack  

Canteen:

• Federal bullseye canteen

• Federal smoothside canteen

• Avoid leather canteen straps

Accoutrements:

• 1861 or 1864 pattern cartridge boxes

• Early or later style cap pouches

• Waist belts with leather loop or brass keeper

• Either 2-rivet or 7-rivet scabbards

Arms:

All arms and bayonets shall be in EXCELLENT working order, clean, functioning, and safe.  According to the Ordnance Reports for the 4th Quarter of 1864, the 87th Pa. had a mix of Springfields and Enfields at a 3 (S) to 1 (E) ratio.  

• 1861 or 1863 Springfield

• 1853 Enfield