1. Introduction & General Philosophy

Even a casual reading of this document will reveal that the information can be classified in two categories: Aminimum standards@ and Asuggestions for improvement@. And this, in a way, is the general aim of the Potomac Legion regarding authenticity.
The establishment and enforcement of a clear set of minimum standards is necessary. Without standards, it is impossible to insure an quality, historically accurate experience for participants.
More importantly, the Potomac Legion desires to become more of a teaching organization than a preaching organization; the numerous suggestions and references in these guidelines are an embodiment of this philosophy.
While the Potomac Legion desires to promote as authentic an atmosphere as possible, safety is always paramount. This is not as detrimental to authenticity as it may seem; many aspects of the original drill, clothing, etc., incorporated safety considerations.

II. Basic Impressions

II. A.: What & Why
Normally, the clubs that attend an event with the Potomac Legion will collectively portray a specific historical unit that is appropriate for that particular event. Unfortunately, most authentic reenactors (particularly newer ones) will lack the diverse collection of uniforms, weapons, and equipment that would allow them to portray any unit, at any battle. In order to alleviate this somewhat, the Potomac Legion will attempt to choose units for portrayal that conform as closely as possible to the basic impressions outlined in the following categories.

This is not an attempt to create one-kit wonders that would be totally authentic for any scenario C there is no such thing as a historically correct, universal generic kit, and the good living historian will always be tweaking his impression to better suit the event. It is also not an attempt to dictate the overall look of everyone's impression (although it would be nice to field 300 troops that look like they belonged to the same regiment!). It is an attempt to do the following:
1.) provide a person or club who is new to our philosophy with a safe bet impression for an Potomac Legion event or for participation with the Potomac Legion.
2.) Identify a backup kit for those persons or clubs doing a specialty impression that would be totally inappropriate for a specific event (ie., Berdan's during Sherman's March).
3.) Provide the battalion leadership with some criteria from which an event-specific unit portrayal can be chosen. This will prevent the event-to-event selection of units with radically different appearances. For example, why choose a western impression for one of Sherman's 1864 campaigns when a 20th Corps impression would be closer to what we would want at Sayler's Creek one month later?

Full descriptions for each item will be found in Section III; the corresponding item number of which is shown in parenthesis.

II. B. Federal Infantry Suggested Basic Kit

Bootees: Sewed pattern (III.B.17)
Shirt: Off-white domet flannel. [this is important: there is too much variety in shirt styles at the present time] (III.B.13)
Trousers: JT Martin Contract or Schuykil Arsenal, sky-blue kersey. (III.B.11)
Fatigue Blouse: JT Martin Contract or Schuylkill Arsenal (III.B.6)
Forage Cap: Type I, without insignia of any kind, except company letter and/or corps badge when appropriate to the scenario. (III.B.3)
Canteen: Philadelphia Depot Smoothside
Haversack: Black waterproofed, all-sewn construction
Knapsack: Mid-war M1855
Blanket: Domestic Manufacture with chain-stitched three-line US. Gray color.
Gum Blanket
Shelter Half: Three-panel Philadelphia or NY Depot version
Waistbelt & Buckle: Buff or waxed leather with US belt plate
Cap Pouch
Bayonet Scabbard: Two-rivet pattern for M1855 bayonet
Cartridge Box: M1861 with buff or waxed leather sling and US box plate
Rifle Musket: M1861 Springfield or Contract
Bayonet: M1855 bayonet

II. C. Federal Cavalry Suggested Basic Kit

Bootees: Sewed pattern. These appear to have outnumbered the pegged-soled versions in the east.
Shirt: Off-white domet flannel. [this is important: there is too much variety in shirt styles at the present time]
Trousers: Mounted Pattern, sky blue kersey
Sack Coat: JT Martin Contract, Lined
Forage Cap: Type I, without insignia of any kind, except for the brass cross swords branch insignia.
Canteen: Philadelphia Depot Smoothside
Haversack: Black waterproofed, all sewn construction
Blanket: Domestic Manufacture with chain-stitched three-line US
Poncho
Shelter Half: Three-panel Philadelphia or NY Depot version
Saber belt w/ belt plate: Buff leather, no rivets
Cap Pouch:
Holster: US issue
Pistol Cartridge Box
Carbine Cartridge Box: 1854 Sharps Pattern
Carbine Sling with Swivel Hook
Revolver: Colt's 1860 Army
Carbine: 1859 Sharp's Carbine
M1860 Cavalry Saber
Saddle: 1859 McClellan
Horse: A gelding in a solid color excepting blazes and socks, in the brown and black spectrum (i.e., sorrels, chestnuts, bays, blacks, roans, etc..)

II. D. Federal Artillery Suggested Basic Kit

Bootees: Sewed pattern. (OK for all) OR:
Boots: Artillery or Cavalry pattern (for mounted personnel only)
Shirt: Off-white domet flannel.
Trousers: US Mounted Service Pattern Trousers (OK for all), or Foot pattern for dismounted personnel.
Mounted Pattern Shell Jacket: M1858, Schuylkill Arsenal Pattern OR:
Fatigue Blouse: JT Martin contract, lined
Forage Cap: Type I, without insignia of any kind except the large-sized, enlisted pattern brass artillery arm insignia.
Canteen: Philadelphia Depot Smoothside
Haversack: Black waterproofed, all sewn construction
Knapsack: Mid-war M1855
Blanket: Domestic Manufacture with chain-stitched three-line US. Gray color.
Poncho
Shelter Half: Three-panel Philadelphia or NY Depot version
Waistbelt & Buckle: M1854 US Enlisted Sabre Belt, early-war pattern
Saber: M1840 Light Artillery Sabre

III. Descriptions of Items

III. A. Philosophy
We base the following minimum standards on a common-sense determination of what would be seriously distracting in the authentic sense, balanced with what is readily available or easily modified.
There are basically two levels of authenticity that are identifiable for each item. The first level is the minimum standard, and the second would best be described as exhibiting the characteristics of a museum quality replica. Descriptions for the features of a museum-quality replica can be found in the sources listed as Further Reading for each item. Although the research material listed therein is currently the best available, it will eventually be superceded as new research is done and the level of understanding increases.
The full addresses and points of contacts for the sources listed as selling acceptable reproductions will be found in Addendum A. Again, the Potomac Legion is looking for items that meet the minimum requirements; there are other purveyors of acceptable repros than those listed; some reenactors even make their own, which is fine as long as they conform to the minimum standards.
We're using the Civil War period classifications for the various issue items; for example, the Armies in 1861 considered blankets as part of a soldiers clothing issue, and that's where you'll find it on our list. Subsistence and other material culture (like personal effects and luxuries) are found at the end of the section.

III. B. Federal Clothing specify EM, US

III.B.1. US EM Dress Hats
Minimum Requirements: Black color, made of felt. Brim dimensions 3 to 3.25 wide. Will have two lines of stitching as an edge binding, and a 3/8 to 5/16 wide ribbon hat band, knotted on the left side. The liner, if present, will consisted of a leather sweat band and black glazed paper crown backing with appropriate markings.
Further Reading: Paul McKee More than just Making the Hat Fit Originally published in the Company Wag and Reprinted in The Hardcracker Handbook.

III.B.2. US EM Hat & Cap Trimmings
Minimum Requirements: no hat cords for EM, no other ornamentation whatsoever not listed in the 1861 regs. Brass ornamentation outside that listed in the basic impression is discouraged. Corps badges shall be appropriate for the scenario and unit portrayed.

III.B.3. US EM Forage Caps
Minimum Requirements: Made of a finely woven, dark blue or royal blue wool (not navy blue) with painted leather brim and chin strap. Buttons will be plain US regulation, small size. Liner will be black or brown polished cotton. The cap will not possess a surplus of material under the flat crown which results in the "blown out" look. The cap will not be worn with the sides of the brim rolled under in the manner of a modern baseball cap.
Further Reading: F. C. Gaede A Model of 1858 Forage Cap Frederick C. Gaede in The Journal of the Company of Military Collectors and Historians; Smithsonian Studies in History and Technology, Number 30, page 12

III.B.4.US EM Kepis
Also called the Chasseur style cap. Be very cautious of wearing this style cap; it was not generally issued after the first 6 months of the war and even private-purchase examples seem uncommon on field troops.
Minimum Requirements: Made of a dark blue or royal blue wool (not navy blue) with painted leather brim and chin strap. Liner will be black or brown polished cotton. The brim will be mult-layer and bound or heavy painted leather. The cap will not be worn with the sides of the brim rolled under in the manner of a modern baseball cap.
Further Reading: Smithsonian Studies in History and Technology, Number 30

III.B.5. Civilian Hats
Minimum Requirements: Hat will have a sewn-on edge binding of silk ribbon, and a sweat band of leather or cotton duck. It must be made of fine wool felt and will not exhibit a fuzzy appearance. The following colors are acceptable: medium to dark gray, medium to dark brown, or black, with black being the preferred color.
Further Reading: The Hardcracker Handbook

III.B.6. US EM Fatigue Blouse
This is the most common uniform of the Federal Soldier, and every Federal reenactor should possess one.
Minimum Requirements: Wool flannel (with a visible wale in the fabric), in a shade between a medium and dark blue color. The color will NOT be a blackish navy blue which fades to an even more unacceptable purple color.
Further Reading: P. McKee Notes on the Federal Issue Sack Coat Volume XLVII, No. 2, Summer 1995 of The Journal of the Company of Military Collectors and Historians. Another excellent pair of articles are entitled My Own Poor Observations on the Lowly Sack Coat, Parts One and Two, Winter and Spring 2000 issues of The Watchdog.

III.B.7. US EM Frock Coats
Minimum Requirements: Made of finely woven dark blue woolen material, in a shade between a medium and dark blue color. The color will not be a blackish navy blue which fades to purple. No tape trim as piping.
Further Reading: Evaluating reproduction federal enlisted men's frock coats by Michael R. Cunningham PhD printed in the Watchdog

III.B.8.US EM Mounted Pattern Service Jackets
Minimum Requirements: Be made of a dark blue broadcloth. Will not be made of a blackish navy-blue that turns purple when faded. Tape trim shall be or worsted wool tape, dyed in a color proper to the branch. Buttons will be the small cuff size.
Note: We are advised that there are currently no acceptable reproductions being made. We recommend that those who want to procure mounted pattern jackets have one custom made, or wear sack coats instead.

III.B.9. US State Shell Jackets
Shall conform in general construction to known originals. NY, Ohio, various Militia jackets as appropriate to the scenario.

III.B.10. US Musician's Coats
If worn, tape trim to be of worsted wool, in the appropriate weave and color.

III.B.11. US Trousers, Foot
Minimum Requirements: made of a kersey-weave wool, and cut so that the top of the waist band reached to at least the wearer's navel, with a noticeable rise in the back. No pleats, must have a watch pocket. Buttons should be paper-backed tin.
Further Reading: P. McKee Four Sizes May Fit All...But Stylish They Ain't The Company Wag, reprinted in the Hardcracker Handbook.

III.B.12. US Trousers, Mounted
Minimum Requirements: made of a kersey-weave wool, and cut so that the top of the waist band reached to at least the wearer's navel. Will have a seat reinforcement and instep strap, but be identical in cut to the foot pattern in all other respects.
Further Reading: The great trowser hoax parts 1, 2, 3 by Nick Nichols, Ken Smith, originally published in the Civil War Cavalry Review, and reprinted in the Hardcracker Handbook

III.B.1. US Issue Shirts
Despite the discomfort of wearing such apparel, the Federal Issue domet or gray flannel shirt is the very best option for a US impression.
Minimum Requirements: The domet flannel shirt will have three tin buttons; one at the neck and one at each cuff. Domet flannel to be a cotton warp and wool weft, in an off-white color. The gray wool shirt will have 4 or 5 buttons, with two or three on a placket front and one on each cuff.
Further Reading: D. E. Nelson The Union "Army Standard Size and Make" Shirt in the Journal of the Company of Military Collectors and Historians, Bill Brewster The case for the contract issue shirt reprinted in the Hardcracker Handbook.

III.B.2. Civilian Shirts
Minimum Requirements: Will be made of 100% natural materials in period-correct colors and/or patterns. Buttons will be either metal, ceramic, or a natural material such as bone, or mother-of-pearl.
Further Reading: Hardcracker Handbook

III.B.3. US Drawers
Minimum Requirements: drawers (when worn) will be made of 100% natural material. Buttons will be either metal or a natural material such as bone, wood, or mother-of-pearl.
Further Reading: S. E. Osman Army Drawers in the Civil War Volume XLVII, No. 3 (Fall 1995) of The Journal of the Company of Military Collectors and Historians

III.B.4. US Stockings
Minimum Requirements: To be made of a solid-color yarn, in any of the following colors: off-white, gray, buff, blue, or bluish-gray. Shall have no rings or bands of contrasting color, and no elastic.
Further Reading: Hey, there is no further reading! What the...

III.B.5. US Bootees
Minimum Requirements: To be constructed from waxed (rough-side-out) leather, with leather or rawhide shoelaces. Will have leather sole and heel lifts. The shape of the toe can be square, or broadly rounded, but not pointed in the manner of modern wingtip shoes. Avoid the really fuzzy looking leather; if your bootees are fuzzy, they can be finished smooth with some shoe polish and elbow grease.
Further Reading: E. W. Peterkin The United States Army Bootee 1861-1865 Journal of the Company of Military Collectors and Historians Vol. XLVII, No. 2, Summer 1995.; J. R. Plough-man, Civil War Brogans, The Jefferson Bootee online at www.mi.verio.com/~watchdog/wdcost.htm

III.B.6. US Cavalry Boots
should be made of rough-out leather, black color. Maximum height of upper 12 inches. Leather soles and heel. No engineer boots.

III.B.19. US EM Overcoat, Foot
Overcoats should be utilized only when appropriate for the scenario.
Minimum Requirements: Kersey material. Stripes on lower sleeve? 5 large buttons, 6 small buttons on cape.
Further Reading: M. Cunningham & G. Walden Looking up the Cape of Federal Greatcoats Vol. 3, No. 4 of The Watchdog

III.B.20. US EM Overcoat, Mounted
Minimum Requirement: see foot pattern, more buttons?

III.B.21. US Overcoat Straps

III.B.22. US Waterproofs (Ponchos, painted & gum blankets)
For infantry impressions, the use of blankets is encouraged over the use of ponchos.
Minimum Requirements: will have small 3/8 diameter or less grommets
Further Reading: L. E. Babits Rubber Poncho and Blankets from the Union Transport Maple Leaf. From Volume XLVII, No. 2 (Summer 1995) issue of The Journal of the Company of Military Collectors and Historians

III.B.23. US issue Woolen Blankets
Minimum Requirements: wool material, should not have edge binding, US stitched into center, in any of the following shades: gray, brown, and grayish brown. Other colors would be evaluated on an event-to-event basis.
Further Reading: F. Gaede Notes on the Federal-Issue Civil War Blanket Vol. 8, No. 1 (Winter 2000) of The Watchdog

III.B.24. US Chevrons
Minimum Requirements: worsted or kersey wool for company level NCOs. In the proper branch color.

III. C. Federal Camp & Garrison Equipage

III.C.1. Canteens
Minimum Requirements: Canteens must have a cork retaining system corresponding to the model of canteen; ie., the corrugated bullseye canteens should not be furnished with the New York pattern chain retainer. Bullseye canteens will not have leather straps. Straps and covers to be made of 100% natural materials. Textile straps will be white or off-white. Covers will be in one of the following colors, listed in the order of preference: gray or brown, dark blue, and sky blue.
Further Reading: E. J. Coates, The Civil War Issue Canteens: Patterns of 1858 and 1862 Volume XLVII, Number 3 (Fall 1995) of The Journal of the Company of Military Collectors and Historians.

III.C.2. Haversack, (Waterproofed Version)
Minimum Requirements: The haversack must have a black waterproof coating upon it; black-dyed cloth is not acceptable. The roller buckle affixed upon it must be japaned, painted black, or unfinished iron; nickel, or other plating is unacceptable. The usable length of the carrying strap must be no longer than 42" (40" being closer to the historical norm). Carrying strap is to made of folded and sewn cloth. Maximum size of the sack to be 12 x 12. Leather fittings to be finished black.

III.C.3. Haversack (Untreated Version)
not very prevalent in the AOP

III.C.4. M1855 Knapsack
Minimum Requirements: The knapsack must have a waterproof coating upon it; black-dyed cloth is not acceptable. The roller buckles affixed upon it must be japaned, painted black, or unfinished iron; nickel or other plating is unacceptable. All exterior leather fittings to be finished black.

III.C.4a Other patterns of US Knapsacks
Knapsacks are an extremely high profile piece of equipment. With this in mind, the reenactor should strive to procure a knapsack that fits a large number of possible scenarios; a hardpack, for example, would be totally inappropriate for a late-war battle. If an incorrect pattern of pack is brought to an event, the owner may be asked to substitute a blanket roll for it.
Minimum Requirements: As appropriate to the scenario. Shall conform in general construction to known originals: hardpack, single-bag, Short's Patent, Riders, and Mann patterns.

III.C.5. US Shelter tent
Minimum Requirements: Shelter tents will have no metal grommets in them. Maximum size of the shelter half to be 5.5 x 5.5 feet. Lines to be made of natural fiber. Tent pegs to be made of wood or "found material." Should be white or off-white.
Further Reading: P. McDermott A Survey of Civil War Shelter Halves Originally published in The Company Wag and reprinted in The Hardcracker Handbook.

III.C.6 Tin Cups and boilers
Minimum Requirements: To be tin-plated steel or iron, with a flanged, flat bottom (not rolled and crimped on, like a modern tin can). Shall not be equipped with a purpose-built lid; such muckets and billie-cups have insufficient documentation for their use.
Further Reading: P. L. Hedren Army Tin Cups on the Western Frontier Journal of the Company of Military Collectors and Historians

III.C.7 Tin Plate
Minimum Requirements: Plate (whether a purpose-made plate or a canteen half made into a plate) shall be made of tin-plated iron or steel. Stainless steel is not acceptable.

III.C.8 Flatware
Minimum Requirements: Shall be plain or tinned iron.

III.C.9 Frying Pans
Minimum Requirements: Frying pans will have a separately-attached handle. This handle will be either forged or stamped iron or steel, be of single-piece construction without any maker-s logos or other conspicuous markings.
Further Reading: Article on Frying Pans in Vol. 1, No. 2 of The Watchdog

III.C.10 Axes and Hatchets
III.C.11 Camp Kettles
III.C.12 Mess Pans

III.C.13. Drums
Minimum Requirements: Full-sized instruments only.

III.C.14 Fifes
III.C.15 Bugles

III. D. Federal Ordnance Stores

III.D.1 Rifles, Muskets, and Rifled Muskets

III.D.2 Musket Slings
Minimum Requirements: Springfield: Made of brown or russet leather with a single-hook size adjustment. No rivets or staples to be used in the construction of the two loops. Loops must be sewn.
Further Reading: Geoff Walden Sling, Arms! by in Vol. 3 No. 3 of the Watchdog

III.D.3 US EM Infantry Waistbelts and Plates
Minimum Requirements: Minimum width 1-3/4" Maximum width 2". Constructed of black-dyed (not painted) leather. Waistbelt plate to be constructed in a manner consistent with the model of plate, of materials appropriate for the same.
Further Reading: M. Hubbs, Getting Into Leather C Part I Vol. 4, No. 2 of The Watchdog

III.D.4. Cap Pouch
Minimum Requirements: Made of black-dyed leather, with an inner waterproof flap. The finial to be made of unplated yellow brass.
Further Reading: M. Hubbs, Getting Into Leather C Part I Vol. 4, No. 2 of The Watchdog

III.D.5. Bayonet
Minimum Requirements: The bayonet will affix securely to the piece being carried. It will be equipped with a locking ring (model specific). Any anachronistic markings must be ground off.
Further Reading: G. Walden Getting to the Point: Reproduction Bayonets in The Watchdog

III.D.6 Bayonet Scabbard
Minimum Requirements: Constructed of sturdy, black-dyed (not painted) leather. Will have a brass tip securely fastened to the end.
Further Reading: M. Hubbs, Getting Into Leather C Part I Vol. 4, No. 2 of The Watchdog

III.D.7 Infantry Cartridge Box & Sling
Minimum Requirements: Boxes shall constructed in a rigid manner with flat end pieces. Model 1861 or earlier boxes will have an inner flap with end pieces. To be finished black. If a plate is present, it is to be mounted in the visual center of the box flap. Slings to be made in the regulation length of 55 inches not including the billets (for .58 cal box), and 57 inches for the .69 cal box.
Further Reading: Johnson, Cartridge Boxes of the Union Infantryman

III.D.8 Gun Tools

III.D.9 Ammunition, for rifles and muskets
Minimum Requirements: All rounds brought to an event and not stored for immediate use in the cartridge box must be packed in 10-round packets. Such packets to have an off-white paper wrapping, and will be tied with a natural-colored cotton or linen cord.
Cartridges will be rolled with off-white paper and have a string closure on the bullet end. Maximum loads to be as follows:
.58 caliber: 70 grains FFG
Further Reading: From Round Ball to Rimfire; How to make an Authentic Cartridge (Hardcracker Handbook)

III.D.10 Cavalry Saber
III.D.11 Revolver
III.D.12 Carbines
III.D.13 Mounted Pattern Waistbelt & Plate
III.D.14 Carbine Sling
III.D.15. Carbine Cartridge Box
III.D.16. Revolver Cartridge Box
III.D.17. Cannon
III.D.18 Artillery implements

III. H.: Subsistence

III. H. 1: General Requirements:
Although there is much discussion on the proper varieties of food to be used as foraged or sent from home (See section III.H.4.), the very best bet for an authentic reenactor is stick to the military staples of the army he is representing.
Minimum Requirements: Any foodstuffs brought to an event must be stored loose or in period packaging.

III.H.2.: The Federal Issue Staples:

H.2.a: Meat Ration (Fresh beef, salt pork, salt beef, bacon, etc..):
Minimum Requirements: Fresh beef should not be carried uncooked for obvious health reasons.

H.2.b: Hardtack
Minimum Requirements: Will be hard enough so that the inspector will not be able to leave an indentation in its surface with his fingernail. Will have only the following ingredients: flour, water, salt. Size must fall within the following ranges: between 2.5 and 4 inches on a side, and 1/4 and 3/4 inch thick. Should have aeration holes as well.

H.2.c.: Coffee:
Minimum Requirements: Must be stored/boiled loose or in period containment only.

H.2.d.: Sugar:
Minimum Requirements: Must be stored loose or in period containment only.

III. H. 3.: Food Procured from other Sources
There was, of course, a fairly large quantity of food consumed by the soldiers that came from sources other than their own Commissary Department. Soldiers bought foodstuffs from sutlers, received them in boxes from home, and either bought, traded, or stole them from the local populace. The variety of such foodstuffs was, of course, enormous. Without becoming mired in this complicated topic, here are some rules of thumb to follow when choosing non-issue food to stick in your haversack:
If the foodstuff was procured locally:
1. Is the foodstuff in season?
2. Is it available in the area from which is was supposedly foraged.
3. Is it of a variety that compares favorably with its Civil War ancestor?
2. If the foodstuff was either procured from the sutler or sent from home, the reenactor must ask himself: When was the foodstuff received relative to the time frame of the event? Were sutlers even accessible?
Minimum Requirements: That the item(s) in question conform to the criteria outlined above.

III. I.: Tobacco
Despite the large amount of research done in previous years, there is no evidence that cigarettes were in anything like common usage by soldiers. Therefore, cigarettes are unacceptable.

III. J.: Personal Effects

III. J. 1: Eye Glasses
Minimum Requirements:
Further Reading: N. Hughes, A Closer Look Vol. 3 No. 4 of The Watchdog

III. J. 2.: Neckerchiefs

IV. Personal Appearance

IV.A. Eyeglasses
Modern Glasses utterly destroy a historical impression.
You must have authentic eyewear to participate. See requirements in Section III. Safety considerations.

IV.B. Hair
Military regulations for both sides required that the soldiers= hair and beard be kept short. The wearing of extremely long hair and beards by front-line military personnel (save for some general- and staff-level officers) is not supported by photographic evidence.
Clearly Non-period hairstyles, and unnatural hair colors are unacceptable.

IV.C. Jewelry
Aside from the occasional finger ring, original troops were practically devoid of jewelry. No wristwatches will be worn. Military personnel found wearing anachronistic items like earrings will be asked to remove them.

IV.D. Physical Conditioning
Potential campaigners should not under-estimate the importance of being physically fit. Not only does physical exhaustion detract from a person's ability to enjoy an event, it can also create a potential for serious injury. Out-of-shape muscles can be the cause of lower back and joint injuries, and a low level of physical fitness also makes a person more susceptible to heat-related ailments.
The Potomac Legion is not advocating extreme diet programs that result in the emaciated appearance that some folks incorrectly praise as "the look." There is evidence to support the existence of at least a proportion of large men in the ranks. There is, however, a difference between healthy large and unhealthy large, with people in the latter category asking for trouble if they embark on the campaign trail without preparation.
Participants should have a level of physical fitness to be able to safely participate in scenarios and events.

V. First Person

First Person means acting like people from another time. By using the proper speech, mannerisms, and limiting conversation to 19th-Century topics, a living-historian can provide spectators and participants with the sense that they are interacting with real Civil-War period people.

There are many levels to which first-person interpreters will take their impressions. Some adopt the persona of someone who actually lived at the time, complete with the study of his/her occupation, lifestyle, habits, and family history. Others will study speech patterns and period expressions and thereby attempt to recreate a voice from the past. Still others will study current events and the contemporary world view and enjoy period debates and discussions with like-minded reenactors.

The possibilities are almost infinite and the potential for research enormous.

With this said, what are the Potomac Legion's Minimum Requirements for first person?

Minimum Requirements for First Person
The reenactor is expected to do or say nothing that would distract others from performing or participating in first person activities.

We are not asking for a certain level of participation, although we would encourage you to do so. All we want is for reenactors to refrain from being a distraction for those are participating in first person.

Never let your own good time spoil someone else's moment.

VI. Military Procedures

1. Drill
US Troops will drill/operate based on the following manuals:
Casey's Tactics
Dal Bello's Rules for Battalion
Dal Bello's Rules for Guard and Picket
Kautz's Customs of the Service
French Barry & Hunt Field Artillery, with a double sponge

B. Details
All participants attending as part of an Potomac Legion contingent must be willing to perform details (including, but not limited to, guard and fatigue). The roster for such details will be administered by company orderly sergeants, and care shall be taken to prevent participants from being assigned to exhausting details when mental alertness is paramount (i.e., before attempting to drive 10 hours home from an event).

C. Military Courtesy

D. Rank: a sliding rank scale
There are few things that distract from a group impression more than a preponderance of shoulder straps and stripes. Here are a few rules of thumb to follow:
III.B.1. No matter what your normal rank, keep a private's blouse and equipment tucked away somewhere.
III.B.2. If you are going to attend an event with the Potomac Legion, and your rank hasn't been confirmed by the battalion staff, then bring your private's kit (see above).
III.B.3. For the actual apportionment of rank in infantry line companies, the Potomac Legion advocates the follow proportion of privates/NCOs/officers: 20:4:1. Artillery units should be staffed according to the following: a minimum of 6 privates and 1 corporal per piece. If eight soldiers are assigned to a piece, the eighth man can be a sergeant. Potomac Legion will organize battery structure and rank on an event-to-event basis.

VII. Enforcement

1. The Potomac Legion will have a pool of qualified individuals available to serve as a Quartermaster who will administer these authenticity regulations.

2. How will people get into in the quartermaster pool? Volunteer? By invitation? Divine Intervention?

3. Members of the quartermaster pool will rotate through a schedule of performing field service inspection and documentation at events.

4. To make the quartermasters's job as objective as possible, he will render judgement based solely on a clearly defined and communicated set of guidelines. (The minimum requirements found in this document, for example)

5. The quartermaster will present a rank impression appropriate to the post.

6. The quartermaster's pool will meet yearly to evaluate the Military Guidelines and make changes as needed.

7. Judgement of Quartermaster: Failure to conform to any minimum requirements will result in one of the following immediate-action judgements by the IG:

a. Fix on the spot.

b. Immediate placement in storage and do without.

c. Documentation of non-conformance to be remedied by next event; the quartermaster should keep a single notebook for such entries.

d. Failure to abide by a judgement will result in expulsion from the event.

8. The judgement of the quartermaster is final.

9. A grievance against the quartermaster shall be sent directly to the executive committee, who shall render judgement or convene a special investigative committee, as they see fit.