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For more information about the Cherokee Artillery contact  First Sergeant Dan Loftin at 770-253-7724. 

Van Den Corput’s Battery

Members of Cherokee Artillery--Corput's Battery--at State Reunion of
Confederate Veterans in Rome, Georgia, September 14-15, 1904.

Heritage Holidays on the Coosa River in Rome, Georgia. A scale version of the Monitor from the National Civil War Naval Museum in Columbus, GA,  patrols the river.

Captain Max Van den Corput was the commander of the Cherokee Artillery through most of the war. He and his brothers emigrated from Belgium to Cave Spring, Georgia.

The Cherokee Artillery is a family oriented living history group. Though we are headquartered in Rome, Georgia, where the original unit was formed, we have members in Florida, Tennessee, Alabama and Mississippi.

Colonel Eli Lilly July 8, 1838 – June 6, 1898(Photo: 1885)

Click for Uniform Guidelines

UNIFORM GUIDELINES 

Based on the research done by the uniform committee and the guidelines given it by the membership, the following unit uniform guidelines are being submitted to the general membership for review, amendments, and or approval.   These are the standards we should strive for. Not everyone will meet these guidelines right away and that is to be expected. We are not suggesting anyone should discard the gear they have obtained through the years, but as you get new items through attrition or the desire to upgrade, this list should be your guide.

New Recruits, BUY THE RIGHT STUFF THE FIRST TIME!!!  This will save you money in the long run, plus it will help you fit in.  Before you buy check with an N.C.O. or an Officer.  Remember some Sutlers are there to sell you stuff first and to sell you correct stuff second.

STATEMENT OF INTENT

Each member of the Cherokee Artillery should strive to be historically correct in portraying a common line artillery soldier of the War Between the States through proper dress and attitude.  These guidelines are based on recognized documentation of the troops in the Army of Tennessee, CSA, and the Army of the Cumberland, USA, during the Atlanta Campaign of 1864.  The following guidelines, as well as the Regulations of the Georgia Division of Reenactors Association, Inc. should govern the appearance of our members.

            NOTE:  The Unit Quartermaster has a supply of jackets, trowsers, and some hats which the unit loans out.  New members are encouraged to use these items to avoid a large cash outlay when starting out.  The Quartermaster, however, does NOT have shoes, shirts, and suspenders.  New members should make these items, a canteen, and a tin or copper cup their first purchase, also many unit members have extra uniform items that they probably would not mind lending someone to use.  All can best show their appreciation by returning all borrowed items in the same condition they were received.

I. CONFEDERATE IMPRESSION

A. Uniform

1. Coats

A. Coats shall be of the Columbus Depot pattern shell jacket of jean wool weave without jersey wool trim in gray color. See Quartermaster Sergeant for a sample of the correct color.

B. Buttons may be either brass “A”, brass Georgia State Seal, or wooden two-hole type.

2. Trowsers (this is a period spelling)

A. Army issue gray jean cloth with side seam or mule ear pockets.  These shall be button fly, suspender supported design of correct pattern.

B. Captured sky blue Federal kersey wool trowsers. NOTE: Unless you can afford both, make these your first trowser purchase.  Use them for your Federal and Confederate Impression until you are able to purchase the gray jean cloth to go with your Confederate uniform.

C. Please no white trowsers, we’re Army not Navy.

3. Vests

A. Military with stand up collar in either blue kersey wool or gray jean cloth.

B. Civilian style with lapels in period materials.

4. Head Wear

A. Civilian hats; flat or round crown, Slouch hats of wool felt, should be of black, brown, or gray.

B. Military Kepi of gray or natural jean wool, leather bill, buttons in either brass A, Georgia State Seal or CSA style.

C. Restrictions- no hat brass, plumes, bandanas, or animal parts are allowed on any head wear.

5. Waist Belt

A. Leather or painted canvas with leather ends.

B. Buckle should be C.S.A. rectangle, oval and clipped corner CS, forked tongue, or Georgia State Seal.

C. Enlisted men did not wear officer’s buckles (check with an N.C.O. or Officer if in doubt).

B. Accouterments

1. Haversacks

A. Confederate Issue of white cotton cloth with leather strap and buckle or linen cloth with single button closure.

B. Captured Federal Issue of tarred or black painted cloth, Early war: 11”wide X 12 ½”deep, Late war 13” wide X 12 ¼” deep,

NOTE: because this haversack goes with Confederate and Federal Impressions, it is highly recommended you make this your first haversack purchase.

C. Period Civilian style in correct pattern cotton cloth.

2. Canteen

A. Confederate Issue wooden canteen (make sure it has a liner).

B. Confederate drum style tin canteen.

C. Captured Federal Issue smooth side or bull’s eye covered or uncovered.

NOTE: Since this can be use in both impressions this a good first purchase item.

 II. UNION IMPRESSION

A. Uniform

1. Coats

A. Enlisted men- all coats shall be of the four button sack coat pattern.  Buttons will be brass eagle design.

B. Officers- Issue sack coat or Officer Issue Frock Coat with appropriate trim.

2. Trowsers

A. Enlisted men- trowsers shall be of sky blue kersey wool.

B. Officers- may also use trowsers made of dark blue kersey wool.

3. Vests

A. Military with stand up collar in blue kersey wool.

B. Civilian style with lapels in period materials

4. Head Wear

A. Civilian hats; flat or round crown, Slouch hats of wool felt, should be of black, brown, or gray.

B. Military Kepi of Blue kersey wool M1858, leather bill, buttons in USA Eagle style.

C. Restrictions- no hat brass, plumes, bandanas, or animal parts are allowed on any head wear.  

5. Waist Belt

A. Leather or painted canvas with leather ends.

B. Buckle should be U.S. Oval for enlisted men (Can be worn upside down for Confederate Impression).

C. Officers should wear the 1851 Eagle Buckle.

D. Restrictions- enlisted men should not wear officer’s buckles.

B. Accouterments

1. Haversacks

A. Federal Issue of tarred or black painted cloth, same dimensions as Confederate.

B. Period Civilian style in correct pattern cotton cloth

2. Canteen

Federal Issue smooth side or bull’s eye covered or uncovered.

 III. CLOTHING COMMON TO BOTH IMPRESSIONS

1. Shirts

A. Civilian shirts: Cotton in checks, stripes, plaids, prints or solids with three or four button placket front, in period style. Buttons of pewter, mother of pearl, bone or wood.

B. Army issue plain off-white with three button placket front, fold down collar, no pockets.  Buttons of paper backed tin or pewter.

C. No short sleeves, no lace up at chest or neck area, no solid red “fireman’s” shirts or any bib front style shirt.

2. Braces

No suspenders were issued, thus patterns would be various civilian styles; made of woven cotton tape, ticking, woven patterned material with period buckles of brass or tin plated brass (NO nickel plated buckles).

3. Socks

A. Civilian socks: knitted of wool or cotton in any of many period patterns and colors, mostly muted natural tones.

B. Military issue: unbleached cotton or wool.

4. Brogans

A. Period Style (Jefferson pattern recommended), all natural of leather, smooth or rough side out.  (Heel plates and hob nails recommended.)

B. Restrictions- no hushpuppies, moccasins, motorcycle boots, or modern boots of any kind.  Officers or cavalry boots should not be worn by enlisted men.

5. Glasses

A. Period frames or modern “granny” equivalent.

B. Restrictions- no plastic ends, no sunglasses.

   IV. OTHER EQUIPMENT

1. Tin ware

A. Cup-period style either U.S. Army cup or civilian type of the period preferably of either tin or copper.

B. Plate- Tin U.S. Army style, canteen half, or civilian style of the period.  Recommend you stay away from “Wal-Mart camping special” enamel ware since it wasn’t until 1870.

C. Table Furniture- knife, fork, spoon all of period style.

2. Tentage

A. Shelter half of Confederate or Federal Issue.

B. A-frame or wedge tent

C. Wall tent for the family

3. Chairs

Check with your N.C.O.s’ or Officers on what is appropriate.

4. Firearms and Edged Weapons

A. Enlisted men did not carry side arms and they are not appropriate on the field.

B. Officers are permitted side arms.

C. Muskets were not carried on the field by artillerymen.

D. Only Commissioned Officers are permitted to carry an Officers sword and scabbard.  Sergeant Majors’ and First Sergeants’ may carry an N.C.O.’s sword and scabbard while not on the piece.

E. Enlisted men are permitted to carry sheath knives or pocket knives of period style and design while not on the piece. No stainless steel knives, modern fighting knives, or sheaths with metal snaps are permitted.  The knife should be secured in the sheath so that should the wearer fall on the ground the knife will stay secure in the sheath.

V. ATTITUDE AND ETIQUETTE

A.  Drinking and Profanity:  Please remember the Cherokee   Artillery is a family oriented group.  We have ladies and children in our camp. Please keep in mind that other camps you may visit are also family camps.  If you drink, please do not get drunk and use foul language in our camp. Also, please respect that others may be sleeping when carrying on conversations at night around the campfire.

B. Camp

1. Please do not throw trash in the campfire, use the trash bags.

2. Please bring your own chair to sit in. Most folks don’t care if you happen to sit in their chair as long as you brought a chair that they can sit in.

3. Gentlemen should always offer their seats to a lady or visitor from another camp.

4. Please pour drinks into a period cup.

5. Please help keep an eye on the camp and your own area and DEFARB as needed.

C. Meals

1. At some events the Cherokee Artillery has unit meals.  Members wishing to eat should pay the camp cook at least one month in advance if possible.

2. ALL are expected to “pitch in” around camp and help with fire wood, water, washing dishes and taking out the garbage.

No anachronisms- this includes modern jewelry, wristwatches, etc. Smoking and tobacco use should be in period fashion, such as pipe or hand rolled. Smoking is prohibited near the limber boxes or field pieces.