Enlist

Enlistment into the 20th Maine will start your journey into history. As a member, you will be reenacting the experiences of the American Civil War soldier. The 20th Maine Company F participates in a variety of living history and weekend battle events throughout the year. To enlist in the company you will need to contact us. The company will send you the necessary documents required for joining the 20th Maine Volunteer Infantry. The 20th Maine uses the membership dues to provide funds needed for the company to store, maintain and to provide loaner gear for any member or new recruit. Once you have joined the company, we have all the necessary gear to get you outfitted with the uniform and accoutrements needed to participate in events with the company.

A list of items that is needed is shown below :

Essential “Must Haves” for reenacting

• Trousers, sky blue foot pattern kersey wool.
• Federal Sack coat
• Forage cap, blue wool.
• Shirt, period cut and style.
• Wool socks.
• Waist belt with Oval “US” Plate 0r Suspenders – Linen or Cotton. No elastic.
• Canteen – Philadelphia Depot.
• Tin plate, period style.
• Tin cup, period style, soldered bottom best.
• Knife, fork, spoon, period style.

Accoutrements

• Percussion Cap pouch.
• US pattern Cartridge box, US 1855 pattern.
• Brass Plate, cartridge box, oval “US” for Cartridge Box.
• Sling, cartridge box sling.
• Brass Plate round eagle for Cartridge box sling.
• Rifle musket, 3-band, 1861 Springfield or 1855 Enfield
• Sling, Rifle musket, russet, period pattern.
• Bayonet and scabbard (purchase with musket for proper fit)
• Haversack, black canvas
• Musket cleaning kit.

Nice To Haves

• Brogans, square-toed, rough out army bootees.
• Tent, period military “A” style (for encampment scenarios) and/or dog tent (for campaigning scenarios).
• Tent poles
• Polk sacks, small cotton bags for items in haversack
• US style Gum blanket, rubberized canvas.
• Poncho, rubberized canvas.
• Wool Blanket. Quality period wool blankets are approximately 4 to 5 lbs.

Not Necessary, but helpful at times

• Frockcoat, wool dress coat, blue piping or sack coat, dark blue, 4 button (good in cool or cold weather situations; otherwise, you can use your blanket for warmth as was common)
• Black powder measure.
• Period correct eyeglasses (if applicable).

For a list of stulers that can provide the necessary items listed above, visit our Sutler page for links to websites. If any questions arise, you can visit the contact us page and send us an email and we will get back to with the necessary answers to any questions.