Uniforms

Sandwich Union Guards Uniform

The Sandwich Union Guards were formed up on April 19th 1861 and was the first full company of volunteers formed in the state of Illinois with 112 men on the roster. On April 22nd.1861 they were ordered to report to Cairo Illinois. They departed Sandwich Illinois on April 23rd. wearing homemade uniforms and carrying a National Flag made of wool delaine. All were made by the women of Sandwich Illinois in just three days time.
The uniform was made of dark blue denim and consisted of a hunting shirt and overalls. The overalls had a yellow stripe on the outside of the pant legs. The women of Sandwich also made a woolen shirt for each man that went on under the hunting shirt.
There are no known surviving examples of this first Sandwich Guard uniform, but we have duplicated the uniform from descriptions of it in newspapers and historical documents in possession of the company. If you wish to have one of these uniforms made please contact the company officers and we will assist you in this special order.
Blue Box Sutlery
Ezra Barnhouse Goods

Fatigue Coat (Sack Coat)

The secondary enlisted man’s jacket for the 10th Illinois Infantry was the four-button sack coat. These coats were made from thin, lightweight wool flannel that has a pronounced diagonal weave. The color of the coat is more of a rich blue and not a navy blue. The majority of issued sack coats were lined with a gray or brown flannel wool or jean cloth. The later (veteran sack coats) also came without a lining. All surviving examples have a tapered face stitching and hand sewn buttonholes. Avoid thick wool, dark wool, and large collars. The private purchase sack coat is also acceptable.
The photos to the left were taken in 1864 and 1865.

Nick Sekela/Historic Clothiers Makes several variant coats
WW and Company Both museum grade and standard grade are acceptable
C&D Jarnigan
John Allen’s Laurel Hill Sutlery Better than most sutler row coats. Ask for the Mudsill blue wool.

Headgear

The most common style hat being worn by an enlisted man in the 10th Illinois Infantry was the forage caps. The second most common headgear was the black civilian slouch hats. As seen in previous photos and below, either are acceptable. The only headgear that I have not encountered on an enlisted man from the 10th Illinois infantry was the 1858 Dress (Hardee) Hat, though very prevalent with the officers of the regiment.

Officers Headgear

1858 Dress/Hardee Hat and Civilian Slouch Hat
Tim Bender of the TP and H Trading Company
Dirty Billy Hats

1858 Forage Caps
Dirty Billy Hats
Nick Sekela/Historic Clothiers
Mike Anderson Available through WW and Company

Enlisted Headgear Forage Caps and Civilian Slouch Hats (Black)

Military Issue Shirt

The US Army issued several styles of shirts in various types of cloth. All are acceptable, and each recruit should have at least one issue shirt.
WW and Company: Kits available for assembly as well
E.J. Thomas
C&D Jarnigan
Nick Sekela/Historic Clothiers Offers several correct styles of issue shirts.

Civilian Shirt

Should be of a period pattern and material with period correct buttons. China and calico buttons were extremely popular during the period.
Carter and Jasper Different styles available
Corner Clothiers Different styles available
Nick Sekela/Historic Clothiers
C&D Jarnigan

The Weapon and Accessories of an Enlisted Man

The most common rifle muskets issued to the 10th Illinois Infantry was the British Enfield. Company H was originally armed with British Contract Muskets. These were probably converted British flintlock muskets. All of these weapons were replaced by the P53 Enfield rifled musket. Other companies in the regiment had converted .69 caliber smoothbore muskets of the Springfield Model 1816/1840 variety and even model 1855 Rifles. The majority of these older weapons were replaced with the British 1853 Enfield Rifled Musket.
The other weapon that was used by members of the regiment was the Henry Rifle. According to the Ferguson diaries there were at least 10 Henry Rifles per company by the end of the war. All of these weapons were privately purchased and mostly were carried by the NCO’s.
The Company Quartermaster
Regimental Quartermaster
Blockade Runner
Henry Repeating Arms
Originals

U.S. Issue Bayonet

Make sure your bayonet fits your rifle. For ease of rifle cleaning, every person should have a musket worm and cone wrench at the very least.
Regimental Quartermaster
Blockade Runner
Originals: Buy at CW shows/dealer to make sure the bayonet fits properly.