1859-1860 the Kanawha Riflemen: This uniform is the
officers version of the Kanawha Riflemen's uniform
(1859) The average enlistee wore a frock (over) coat was
dark green with a cape and it was laced with black trim
on the cuffs and collar. It featured a nine-button
front, with the Waterbury style Virginia State seal and
epaulets of gold braid. The trousers were also dark
green with a single black stripe down the leg for
enlisted men, and a gold stripe for the officers. A wide
brim slouch hat with ostrich feathers dangling down the
side with the letters "KR" on the front completed the
outfit. White Berlin gloves were worn to Charleston’s
social events. Only one of these uniforms exist today
and is housed by the West Virginia State Archives.
1861: The uniform above is the officers version of
the Kanawha Regiment. This is a close copy to Colonel
Christopher Tompkins' uniform. Upon entering the
Confederate Army in June of 1861, as the 1st Kanawha
Riflemen Regiment, the confederate regulations stated
that their uniforms were too flashy in design. The new
uniforms, as early as records show, was a light blue
frock coat and dark gray jean wool trousers. Buttons
were the muffin style with the Virginia State Seal and
the Officers wore yellow chevrons. The trousers were of
dark gray made from jean cloth that had yellow stripes
down the sides. The 22nd Virginia Infantry lost that appearance
shortly after the war had started.
1862-1865: Not much is mentioned about the appearance
of the 22nd Virginia Infantry’s uniforms after 1862.
Several photos show soldiers wearing standard gray Richmond
Depot Type 2 and Type 3 jacket, with the Waterbury style
Virginia State seal buttons. Some color graphs show the
officers with Sky-blue piping. The slouch hat was more
commonly worn, however a good many wheel caps were
issued. Grey kepis were worn as an alternate type of
headgear. Federal gear and civilian clothes were worn
since the area succeeded from Virginia and formed the
35th State of the Union called West Virginia.
Early Appearance of the Kanawha
Riflemen in 1861
Re-enacting a Confederate Soldier:
A Guideline for the New
Recruit
