Clothing Guidelines for Recreating the Pennsylvania State Regiment

Portraying the PSR can be challenging because the regiment was reorganized and consolidated several times. Many PSR soldiers originally enlisted in Col. Miles’s Rifles or Col. Atlee’s Muskets, regiments formed by the Pennsylvania House of Representatives in March 1776 to protect the colony. In less than a year the Pennsylvania Council of Safety combined selected companies from Miles’s Rifles and Atlee’s Muskets to create a regiment for Continental Service. By June of 1777 the resulting regiment, the PSR, was transferred to Continental command. Within a month it was unofficially known as the 13th Pennsylvania Regiment, although that designation was not official until November of 1777. A variety of clothing would have been seen in the ranks of the PSR.

The following general guidelines describe the variations in clothes and accoutrements that might have been found in the ranks of this diverse regiment. As you create your wardrobe, consider that the right combination of clothes helps create an authentic overall impression and the most accurate portrayal will take into account not only who you are, but the year and circumstances of the battle being reenacted.

HATS

All hats should be made of wool or fur felt and have a low crown approximately 4 inches tall.

A workman’s cap, straw hat or liberty cap may be worn only in camp, not on the battlefield.

• WITH REGIMENTAL:

Small round rifleman’s hat (left side turned-up).

Black military style tri-corn, 1770’s issue (PSR issue hats were trimmed in yellow).

Black military style tri-corn, 1770’s issue trimmed in white or black is also acceptable

Any cockade should be of black ribbon. After the French alliance, white ribbon may be added to the black.

• WITH RIFLE FROCK OR 1770’S CIVILIAN CLOTHING:

Any correct 1770’s style hat trimmed in black or left untrimmed.

NECKWEAR

All neckwear should be cotton, linen or silk.

• WITH REGIMENTAL:

A black or white cloth neck stock.

• WITH RIFLE FROCK OR 1770’S CIVILIAN CLOTHING:

A black or white cloth neck stock.

A neck scarf may be worn with a rifle frock or 18th century civilian clothing. The neck scarf should be approximately 36 to 42 inches square and of a solid color or period design woven check or stripe.

SHIRTS

• WITH REGIMENTAL:

White shirts were military issue and are most appropriate with regimentals.

Shirts with period design woven checks and stripes may also be worn but were more common with a rifle frock or 1770’s civilian clothing.

• WITH RIFLE FROCK OR 1770’S CIVILIAN CLOTHING:

White shirts were military issue and commonly worn by civilians as well.

Shirts with period design woven checks and strips may also be worn.

Fabric with checks or stripes printed on one side would not be appropriate for this period.

WAIST COATS

When wearing a regimental coat, a rifle frock, civilian coat or wagoneer’s shirt, a waistcoat should be worn underneath.

All waistcoats should be made of wool, linen or cotton.

Waistcoats for military and civilian impressions should be 1770’s style.

• WITH REGIMENTAL:

White waistcoats of wool, linen or cotton were military issue to PSR troops.

A waistcoat in a solid color or a period woven stripe may also be worn under a regimental.

• WITH RIFLE FROCK OR 1770’S CIVILIAN CLOTHING

Waistcoats should be of white, solid colors or of a period woven stripe and made of linen, cotton or wool.

SLEEVED WAISTCOATS

A soldier clothed in civilian dress may wear a sleeved waistcoat in place of a rifle frock or a coat.

BREECHES, OVERALLS AND TROWSERS

Breeches, overalls and trowsers should be of the fall front style of the 1770’s.

• WITH REGIMENTAL:

White cloth or natural color buckskin breeches in the fall front 1770’s style were issued to the PSR.

Military overalls were also issued to PSR troops. Overalls should be white, off white or of a pillow ticking strip and made of linen, cotton or wool.

Trousers should not be worn with the regimental.

• WITH RIFLE FROCK OR 1770’S CIVILIAN CLOTHING:

Breeches should be of the fall front 1770’s style made of linen, cotton or wool.

Trowsers should be of the fall front 1770’s style in white or off white.

Overalls should be white, off white or of a pillow ticking strip and made of linen, cotton or wool.

RIFLE FROCKS AND CIVILIAN COATS

Rifle frocks the color of lead (gray), were issued to PSR troops.

Wrap around caped rifle frocks of various colors made of cotton or linen may also be worn.

1770’s civilian coats of wool, linen or cotton in a period color and weave are appropriate.

• WAGONEER’S SHIRT

A wagoneer’s shirt is a long, knee-length pullover shirt similar to a man’s regular shirt but of a larger cut, having cuffs and a collar that buttons at the neck. It was not intended to be worn by itself, but as a protective covering for the clothing (waistcoat, shirt, etc.) worn underneath.

A wagoneer’s shirt should be a solid color or off-white cotton, linen or wool of a period weave.

• REGIMENTAL COATS

A blue coat faced in red with red lining and PSR buttons.

A blue coat faced in white with white lining and PSR buttons.

A blue coat faced in red with either blue or white lining and plain flat buttons.

Special note: Other regimental coats made prior to 1778 for PA troops may also be appropriate. Please ask the Rev. War Commander.

STOCKINGS, GAITERS AND LEGGINS

• WITH REGIMENTAL:

1770’s style white over the knee stockings were military issue and should be worn when wearing a regimental coat.

Half or full gaiters of black canvas were military issue.

• WITH RIFLE FROCKS AND CIVILIAN CLOTHING:

1770’s style white over the knee stockings of cotton or wool in period correct colors and weave.

Dark colored wool or canvas gaiters may be worn with a rifle frock, wagoneer’s shirt and other 18th century civilian clothing.

Center seam or side seam leggins made of a medium weight wool (with or without a toe insert) would be worn with a rifle frock or wagoneer’s shirt.

No documentation has been found indicating leggins of blanket wool or leather were made for or issued to PSR troops.

FOOTWEAR

Black, rough-out 1770’s period shoes were issued to troops.

Period shoes or boots were issued to officers.

Period shoes should be tried or buckled.

Any 18th century style (reproduction) shoe or boot is appropriate.

No documentation has been found that moccasins were issued to or worn by PSR troops.

ACCESSORIES

Garters for holding up gaiters, leggins and stockings should be black or dark brown leather with buckles.

A leather belt (one and one half to three inches in width) with a buckle, hand forged or a brass 18th century style, may be worn around the waist of the rifle frock or wagoneer’s shirt.

Buttons should be of an appropriate material and style for the period and the item of clothing. Pewter, bone, antler, horn, brass, leather, cloth covered or thread buttons can be used.

Black leather buttons may be worn on gaiters.

Feathers worn in hats should be from birds native to Pennsylvania (turkey and grouse) or from birds available to the soldier on campaign.

SPECIAL CONSIDERATIONS

Shirts (except waggoneer’s shirt) should be tucked into breeches, overalls or trowsers at all times.

Shirts collars should be buttoned unless covered with a neck stock or scarf.

A shirt and waistcoat should be worn at all times.

Stockings should be worn with shoes.

NOT APPROPRIATE FOR PSR IMPRESSION:

Even though the PSR was not clothed uniformly certain items are not considered appropriate for a PSR impression.

Earrings, trade silver, feathers in the hair, breechcloths, head scarves, leather leggins, woven leg ties, woven waist sashes, beaded necklaces or modern shoes.