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Impression Guidelines
Union Re-enactors
89th Enrolled Missouri Militia (U.S.) – The Enrolled Missouri Militia (or EMM for short), was Missouri's Civil War version of the Missouri Army National Guard.  Basically these were part time soldier's who largely lived at home and tended the farms. They would only be called up in the event of an emergency or if other needed military duty.  Most EMM units would muster at least once a month for a roll call and some drill and usually would be activated for a few weeks here and their to guard some important position as needed by the General in command of the district. 
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​EMM units were largely supplied with 3 band muskets and infantry accouterments from the states existing stocks as available.  A lot of Austrian Lorenz and 1841 smooth-bore Springfield's, but every so often a unit would receive Enfield Muskets.  In the early years of the EMM organization, uniforms were only issued halfheartedly and with much inconsistency (if even at all). By 1864 however, the state had pretty much resolved this and the vast majority of EMM units who were called up and serving for at least 30 days or more of active duty were issued basic federal uniforms from existing stocks.  It was minimum issue and of course low quality at best. 
Plattsburg Citizens Company (U.S.) – The local citizens of Plattsburg formed themselves into a home guard unit fully prepared to take up the fight. This was a company formed at a moment’s notice and very little time to prepare. Those townsfolk’s who would have been a part of this company would have only been wearing what they had on at the moment. A mixture of civilian clothing and muskets with ammunition being carried in their pockets or haversacks. For this event there will be allowed one small company of home guards for the Union re-enactors to portray the Plattsburg Citizens company. Those re-enactors portraying this impression should have a full civilian style impression and no blue coats or union issue items. 3 band muskets will be allowed but leather gear should be limited and canteens and haversacks should be more of a civilian style. If a unit as a whole wants to do this impression, they need to contact the re-enactor coordinator and apply for it.
Confederate Re-enactors
Confederate Recruit (C.S.) – The soldiers of Colonel John “Coon” Thornton’s Provisional Confederate army wore a mixture of Captured federal uniforms, ragged civilian clothing, and a small sprinkling of homemade confederate uniform parts. There really was not a whole lot of uniforms and what they did have was largely found while on the campaign. Many of the new recruits joined up without weapons and had to arm themselves after the various raids & skirmishes. Those who did bring weapons had a lot of civilian style muskets, shotguns, or captured 3 band muskets. Confederate Re-enactors for the Plattsburg event should largely stay away from the Gray Confederate issued jackets and uniforms (except where noted for the Paw Paw battalion) and attempt to have a more civilian style look. A sprinkling of a few gray and butternut jackets would be OK as long as it does not appear as uniformity in nature and as long as they are plain without any branch color on the cuffs and collar. Guerilla shirts are very acceptable.  Thing to remember here is that the rebs at Plattsburg didn't receive their stuff from an official Confederate depot.  Everything was supplied on their own.  Overall Confederate impression should be a very rough and dirty look overall.
Thrailkill’s Battalion (C.S.) – Confederate soldiers of John “Coon” Thornton’s army rode to battle but fought on foot. Sabers, carbines, and basic Cavalry gear were scarce. Most used long Infantry weapons such as the Enfield Musket and revolvers. The above wears a civilian style jacket and trousers with vest. His legs are wrapped with rags to protect them while riding. Mounted & dismounted cavalry Re-enactors will be portraying Thrailkills battalion and will get to fight as their own battalion of dismounted Cavalry. If possible they are asked to wrap their legs up with period rags, cloth, or burlap bags to give an impression that the horses have been left to the rear while they advance to fight.
Paw Paw Battalion (C.S.) – The only known unit of Thorntons Confederates to have been uniformed in some sort of Gray was the Paw Paw battalion.  This battalion was formed in Platte City when that towns local garrison of the 82nd EMM stacked their arms, broke out a secret stash of Confederate jackets, and joined Thornton when he rode into town. They were an Infantry unit in the Enrolled Missouri Militia, but were quickly mounted by Thrailkill and becoming a mounted Infantry battalion. Confederate Infantry Re-enactors will be portraying the Paw Paw Battalion and will still get to fight as Infantry. But they need to remember that the horses have been left to the rear. Re-enactors portraying the Paw Paw Battalion are allowed to wear Confederate Gray jackets and have a somewhat uniformity in appearance with-in the following guidlines. Headgear should be a mixture of brown and black civilian style hats and a sprinkling of captured union forage caps.  Please NO Confederate forage caps.  All hats should be PLAIN!  No hat brass, infantry bugles, hat cords, and so forth.  Jackets should be plain gray without any type of collars, cuffs, or epletts.  These jackets were home made and were made in secret.  They were not issued by a CS depot so they would have been simple and crude.  Trousers can be sky-blue since the paw paw's would have been wearing federal trousers at Platts City when they switched sides.  Civilian trousers would also be acceptable because many would probably try to get out of the sky-blue trousers for fear of capture and being caught in them. 3 band muskets and federal issue leather gear, canteens, and haversacks are proper since this was gear issued to them as members of the 82nd Enrolled Missouri Militia.
NOTE – Confederate artillery in attendance at this event will portray a generic impression of Confederate Recruits and largely for the “What if” scenario. Artillery should dress as plain as possible and limit the Red trim to as little as possible.  Confederate Mounted Cavalry should follow the impression guidelines as described for Confederate Recruits and Thrailkill's Battalion. 
The 89th EMM was a mounted Infantry organization. By the time of the battle of Plattsburg, Company B and Company E had already served 2 months of active duty. So it is very likely that they were wearing standard blue jackets and sky-blue trousers.

​​Overall the men of the 89th EMM likely varied little from the average federal volunteer except that what they were issued would be of older quality in clothing and equipment. Their wouldn't have been all the extra stuff such as hat cords and hat brass and probably had a very plain look.

​​Union re-enactors portraying the 89th EMM should wear a mixture of black and brown civilian hats, with a very small sprinkling of forage caps (Please NO Hardee Hats).  All hats should be left plain and no hat brass, plumes, hat cords, or other insignia. 4 button sack coats or plain shell jackets Only (NO Frock Coats), Sky-blue trousers with proper brogans. 3 band muskets will work. However if you have the 1842 Springfield (a.k.a. Pumpkin slinger) those are preferred. Black Leather gear, haversacks and jean wool covered canteens.  A very plain, average & rough appearance should be what  were looking for here, but still a federal impression with the standard blue uniform. 


Artillery (U.S.) - Historically there was no artillery at the Plattsburg fight in 1864.  But the event host wants some artillery at this event and so we are allowing 2 cannon per side.  Union Artillery will have to portray a generic impression of Enrolled Missouri Militia having been detached and serving on the 2 cannon.  Uniforms should be very plain and just like the Infantry requirements, No hat brass, hat cords, feathers or Hardee Hats.  Headgear should be mostly black or brown civilian slouch hats with just a very small sprinkling of plain forage caps.  Jackets should be mostly 4 button sack coats but plain shell jackets (without red trim) would be OK.  Trousers should be sky-blue and footwear should be standard brogans.

Mounted Cavalry (U.S.) - Will also be portraying elements of the Enrolled Missouri Militia and for the "What If" scenario they will be portraying elements of the Missouri State Militia Cavalry that came down from Cameron. Uniforms should be very plain and should represent a true western cavalry impression.  No hat brass, hat cords, feathers or Hardee Hats.  Headgear should be mostly black or brown civilian slouch hats with just a very small sprinkling of plain forage caps. Jackets should be mostly 4 button sack coats but plain shell jackets (without yellow trim) would be OK. Trousers should be sky-blue and footwear should be standard boots or brogans.       ​​