Militia Augmentees/Male Camp Follower

Build your kit in stages, assembling basic clothes & eating equipment is most important. We do not expect anyone to be “fully” kitted at their first event (or even by the end of their first season). Items with an asterisk [*] are the essential items to field with the Regiment & should be obtained first. Many items can be manufactured within the Regiment at reduced cost - ask around before you purchase an expensive piece of equipment.

Clothing

Breeches* –	Narrowfall drop front or the older button fly style. Fabrics: ~12 oz. linen, ticken, or Russia drill. Light brown preferred, white, blue, white with blue striped ticking are appropriate colors. Preferred to overalls (below).
overalls or trousers* –	Narrowfall drop front or the older button fly style. Should fit snugly along thighs & calves. Does not have gussets to cover the top of the shoes. Fabrics: linen, ticken, or Russia drill. Light brown preferred, white, blue, (white with blue pinstripes) are appropriate colors. Overalls were substantially less common than breeches .
Shirt* –	Worn long, almost to the knees. Common work shirts did not have ruffles at the cuffs or neckline. Cuffs are narrow, approximately 1-1 1/2 inches wide. Fabric: 5-6 oz. linen or cotton. A light brown color has been documented to the Regiment, however, white, natural linen, or checked are appropriate colors. NO printed patterns. May have more than one short of different color.
Stockings* –	Wool or linsey-woolsey of just about any solid color. Horizontal striped stockings are not appropriate - they were not popular until the 1790's.
Cocked Hat* –	Black or white tie-ups & black tape trim are appropriate. Either square or rosette cockades are appropriate. The black & white ‘unity cockades’are late war & not accurate for our portrayal.
Waistcoat* –	Sleeved or un sleeved, should fit closely to the body, & the waist line should come down low enough to cover the waistband of the breeches, & the sweep should cover the edges of the fall. Fabric: linen or light to medium wool. Just about any color.
Black leather shoes* –	Squared toes preferred, rough side out, may be buckled or tied. If modern shoes or boots are worn, gaiters or overalls must cover the shoes/boots.
Leather garters* –	To hold up the stockings. Check a local harness & tack shop for spur straps - they work nicely.
Frock –	Worn in lieu of Regimental coats to protect the shirt & waistcoat. Should be long & box frock style. No capes or fringes. Fabric: 5.5 - 12 oz. linen; occasionally 12 oz. ticken or 12.5 oz. Russian drill. Tan/natural linen or brownish-greenish are most appropriate, but blues, rust, & yellow are acceptable.
Coat -	Worn in lieu of Regimental coats to protect the shirt & waistcoat. Fabric: blue, brown, green,
Belt –	Leather with brass buckle.
Moccasins –	Center-seamed style.
Neckerchief* –	Worn in place of a neck stock; rolled & then tied around the neck under the collar. Size varied between 12x12” to 36x36”. Handkerchief weight linen, cotton, or silk. Solid color or checked.
Round or Flopped Hat* –	Round hats with cut down brims or flopped hats with the left side cocked up are also very functional & correct for field maneuvers. Full sized cocked hats are cumbersome & easily knocked off while in the woods.
Knitted Wool Cap –	Knitted wool caps should either be a Machault or Monmouth style. Patterns for both styles are in the Packet II1. The familiar knitted "stocking cap" is not appropriate for our portrayal & not worn during public hours.Good for keeping warm on cool nights.

Arms & Accoutrements

Musket* –	English 1st or 2nd Edition (Tower) Long pattern, French (Charleville) Models 1746, 1763, or 1768, Potsdam style, Fusils & Fowlers as approved by the Commander/Sjt. Equipped with a flashguard & hammer stall.
Cartridge Pouch*–	Pouches are commonly referred to as cartridge boxes worn on a cross belt.
Bayonet with Scabbard –	Socket style bayonet worn on either a cross or waist belt; a plug bayonet is not appropriate for our impression. Militia often did not have bayonets and the original Regiment was notoriously under supplied with bayonets.
Belt Ax –	The blade end of the head must be sheathed.

Canteen* –	Tin, wooden, or hollowed gourd. Canteens are a safety requirement for all outdoor events.
Knife* –	Pocket knives were the most common, but small trade knives were often used. Bowie, "long hunter" & dagger type knives are not appropriate.
Weapons Cleaning Kit* –	Cotton or linen cleaning rags. Tow. A threaded worm &/or hemp string. A turnkey (screwdriver) the Pickering tool is not appropriate. Sweet (olive or vegetable) oil in a glass or tin bottle. A small container of brick dust.3
Haversack –	A square linen or hemp canvas shoulder bag for carrying food items.
Knapsack –	Either single or double haversack style. The “new and improved 1776” knapsack is not correct for Northern Theater units. May be purchased from within the Regiment with correct painted color & Regimental markings.
Blanket(s) –	One is documented (if not incorporated in a bedroll). Issued blankets were relatively light weight & natural wool color or dyed dark color. Whitney & Hudson Bay type blankets while very warm on cold nights, are inappropriate for public display.
Housewife –	Sewing kit
Market Wallet* –	A long, narrow, sack with a slit down the center to carry sundry personal items. With a half-twist to close the opening, it is thrown over the shoulder. Plans for a wallet are described in The Packet.1
Blanket(s) –	Moderate weight & natural wool color or dyed dark color. If using a procured military issued blanked, the weight was lighter than what a civilian would have at home. Whitney & Hudson Bay type blankets while very warm on cold nights, are inappropriate for public display.

Excellent information about civilian & militia clothing is available at 18th Century New England Life and an interactive on correct layering is presented at the on-line Memorial Hall Museum.

1 The Packet III: Being Yet Another Collections of Patterns, Articles, and Essays Pertaining to the American Revolution. By Mark R. Tully. Ballindolloch Press. 2003-2007.