THE RACE TO KNOXVILLE
2nd Regt. Michigan Infantry.
"Flag image used with permission from the Michigan Capitol Committee"
02/03/2009
The 2nd was mustered into service on May 25, 1861 with 1013 officers and men on its rolls. On November 15th 1862 the regiment was transferred to Burns’ Division Ninth Corp. After reinforcing Grant around Vicksburg the Ninth Corp was sent back to East Tennessee, marching through Cumberland Gap on September 10, 1863. They then marched to Knoxville arriving on the 26th. They remained in camp there until October 8th. On October 10th they fought at Blue Springs. They then returned to Knoxville on the 20th and went to Lenoir where they started building winter quarters on October 31.
The 2nd made up a portion of the picket line in front of Fort Sanders under the command of Captain Carles H. Hodskin. The attack on Fort Sanders took place on November 29, 1863. When the attack started the 2nd fell back and took passion of a ditch in front of the fort which they continued to hold until the rebel forces were driven back. Companies A, H, G and F were sent to man part of the principal works when the main assault started. They continued to help in the defense of Knoxville until December 4th when the confederates withdrew. http://2ndmichigan.org
This event will give us a great chance to recreate a battle that has totally disappeared from the landscape of Downtown Knoxville. Come take part of this unique event.
Uniform Guidelines For 2nd Michigan
All uniform pieces and equipment must be made in a period construction and materials. All pieces listed in order of preference.
Hat:
1) Hardee
2) Forage Cap
3) Black Civilian
Jacket:
1) Sack Coat
2) Frock Coat
Trousers:
1) All trousers should be sky blue in color and made using correct arsenal pattern.
Shirts:
1) Federal Issue Shirt
2) Contract Issue Shirt
3) Civilian Shirts (hand sewn topstitching and button holes)
Shoes:
1) Jefferson Bootee
2) Identified Civilian Pattern Boots
Knapsacks:
1) Federal Double Bag Knapsack
2) Blanket Roll
Tentage:
1) Shelter Tents 2 men per Tent (We will have the opportunity to stay in these on Friday night and depending on circumstances on Saturday night)
Blankets:
1) Any identified US blanket. Brown in color.
2) Ground Cloth (rubberized blanket or painted cloth)
Cartridge Box:
Identified box that corresponds with your weapon.
Cap Pouch:
Identified box. Must have the fur on the inside.
Bayonet Scabbard:
1) 2 Rivet
2) 7 or 8 Rivet
Weapon:
1) 1861 Springfield
2) Enfield
3) 1842 Springfield
Belts:
Black belt with correct U.S. Belt Plate.
No modern eyeglasses or wristwatches allowed.
*Inspection will be done at registration. Please come fully accoutered and you will be checked against the guidelines. If you feel you can’t meet a guideline, please e-mail the coordinator and explain the situation. Violators will be asked to change equipment, etc. until they meet the guidelines or asked to leave.*
?Regulations for the 79th New York Infantry Garrison of Fort Sanders
Uniform:
Hat:
1. forage cap with no insignia 80%.
2. kepi with small company letter on front and the numeral designation “79" on front of hat 20%.
Jacket/blouse:
1. New York light blue trimmed eight button front state jacket 50%.
2. sack coat (fatigue blouse), frock coat, and shell jacket 50%.
Trousers/pants:
1. light blue US issue foot trousers.
[braces/suspenders should be of period construction with period buckles.]
Shoes:
1. brogans 90%.
2. infantry boots 10%.
[socks and stockings should be of period materials and design.]
Shirts:
1. US Army issue domet-flannel (grey or white).
2. civilian styles.
Greatcoat (optional):
1. light blue kersey army style with shorter cape.
Drawers/underwear (optional):
US Army issue white cotton or linen New York or Schuylkill Depot’s.
Accoutrements:
Knapsack:
1.Model 1855 double-bag knapsack.
2. blanket roll.
3. carpet bag.
Haversack:
1.light cloth tarred or painted black with pocket.
2. rubber coated black sack.
Blanket:
1. US Army issue wool blanket.
2. civilian wool blanket.
3. civilian quilt
?Rubber blanket, gum blanket, and or poncho:
[should have the correct style of grommet (1/4 inch), gum blanket should have the correct pin]
Canteen:
1. Model 1858 “smooth sided” New York Depot with brown cover leather or web strap.
2. 1862 “bulls eye” Philadelphia canteen with web strap and brown cover.
Cartridge Box:
1. Model 1861 US .58 caliber box with cartridge tins and a US cartridge box plate on outer flap
accompanied by a leather strap with or without round eagle breast plate.
2. Model 1857 US .58 caliber with the above specifications.
3. Model 1839 or M1861 US .69 caliber with either the large 1839 US box plate or the “baby” 1839 US
small plate.
Cap box:
1. M1850 shield front with lamb’s wool liner and secondary flap.
2. “M1863 long tail” pattern with the tab being integral to the flap, also having the wool liner.
Belt and plate:
1. black leather belt of the proper dimensions and a large or medium US plate.
Bayonet scabbard:
1. two rivets and sewn M1855 Gaylord pattern frog.
2. seven and eight rivets Gaylord pattern frog.
3. fully sewn Gaylord pattern frog.
[note: Enfield style and pattern scabbards do not appear in excavations of 79th camps.] The Enfield
bayonet will fit in a non-Enfield scabbard.
Weapons:
Rifles and muskets:
1. 1853 Pattern Enfield three band rifled musket with leather strap.
2. US Model 1861 Springfield rifle musket.
3. US Model 1842 and US Model 1816 Conversion muskets both smoothbore and rifled.
The majority of the weapons should be the Enfield muskets as these were primarily issued to the 79th, but
a small scattering of the M1861 Springfields or even the M1863 Springfields is acceptable. The other
muskets were probably phased out at Vicksburg. Although, a .69 caliber gun cleaner was found in their
camp at Blaine, but no .69 caliber bullets. All the bullets were .58 caliber three ringer variety. If a
person only owns a M1842 or M1816 conversion it can be “passed” in inspection. It would be nice if the
weapons were defarbed, but all efforts should be made to remove any modern additions such as hand
protectors. Do not use tompions due to safety hazzard.
Bayonet:
Should be the proper bayonet to go with the musket carried by the soldier. All efforts must be made to
fix any bayonet fitting problems, and muskets should have sites and lugs to fix a bayonet with.
?Shelter:
Tents:
1. campaign it under the stars.
2. a shelter half carried by each man can be attached and made into a shelter tent behind the fort
on the slope.
3. a small shebang can be constructed behind the fort on the slope near the fence.
