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Company A of the 173rd Regiment of the New York
State Volunteer Infantry is more than just an reenactment group. Even more
than portraying 19th century soldiers, our group strives to depict the life
and spirit of the people involved in the bloodiest conflict in American
history.
Members of our group's comes from all walks of life and
a variety of professions. Some are professional historians while others may
be schools teachers, engineers and consultants but all have the common bond
of the love of history.
Brief Unit History
During the Civil War the unit we portray was involved
in serval battles and campaigns in the Gulf Coast area and the Shenandoah
Valley. Mustered into Federal service on 10 November 1862 most of the members
were recruited from the police and fire departments of the cities of New York
and Brooklyn. The 173rd was selected as our unit to portray due to it being
one of the common unit, one who did its job and then faded into the history
books as well as being a unit that served in the Gulf Coast area.
Among the battles the unit served in include the siege of Port Hudson,
Sabine Crossroads, Pleasant Hill and Monett's Bluff in Louisiana. The unit
also served in the Red River Campaign, the expedition to Sabine Pass and
Sheridan's Shenandoah Valley Campaign. During its career, the 173rd lost six
officers and thirty-eight enlisted men killed or mortally wounded. An
additional 2 officers and 129 enlisted men died from disease or other
battlefield causes.
Activities of the 173rd New York
More than reenactors, members of the 173rd consider
themselves "Living Historians". As a living historian, we do more than fight
battles we attempt to present to the public how people lived, fought and died
in the Civil War. Some of our members portray medical professionals and other
live the lives of civilians of the era with whole families being involved.
Though "fighting" battles are a big part of the
activities of the 173rd, we also put on demonstrations for schools, civic
groups and others showing the drill and uniforms of the Federal troops during
the Civil War. During the reenactment we set up authentic camp sites and
prepare our meals in a company mess. Many of the reenactments permit the
public to tour the camps and our members answer their questions and show them
different aspects of military and family life of the 1860's.
Uniforms and Equipments
The standard uniform for the 173rd consist of a four
button Federal "sack coat" and light blue kersey trousers. The coat and
trousers are wool, which sound hot but is surprisingly comfortable even
during the summer. Shirts consist of a muslin or cotton material in the
typical late 19th century pattern and the hat can be either a kepi, forage or
"slouch" hat design.
Though the sack coat is the most common type of uniform
coat used, there are other types such as frock coats and shell jackets. Some
members of the unit wear the "New York Shell" jacket that would have been
worn by some members of New York units. Due to the cost of this type of
jacket it is an encouraged items with the sack coat being acceptable. The
frock coat is considered to be a dress items and they were rarely worn into
battle except by senior NCOs and officers.
Equipment needed include suspender for the trousers,
model 1855 cartridge box with sling (and eagle box plate), cap pouch, US
regulation waistbelt with belt plate (either US of SNY) and a haversack.
Other equipment that would be used include a regulation army cup, US
regulation canteen, tin plate and period eating utensils.
It is suggested that the Euroarms three band enfield
musket be obtained as your rifle and that the appropriate bayonet with the
right frog and scabbard. Enlisted Federal infantrymen rarely carried a pistol
and swords are reserved for NCOs and officers.
Camp items include folding chairs (there are several
designs that were present during the war), tents (either a wedge or a shelter
half), period blankets and a ground cloth. Cots were used to a degree in the
period but check with the captain to make sure you get one that is of the
time period. Other camp equipment such as cooking utensils are generally
supplied by the unit.
Uniforms and equipment are available from a variety of
sources, some are better than others. It is recommended that the basics be
obtained as soon as possible through mail order sources with accessory items
being secured at the events themselves which usually have suppliers (called
sulters) present. If you are unsure what to get and where, ask a more
experienced member of the unit for recommendations and/or your NCOs. A list
with prices is provided in this package with a listing of some of the
suppliers.
This site was generated on 10 September 1998,
and maintained by the
WebMeister which is a part of the BSW Group of campanies, as is Snow
Leopard Productions.