Welcome to The Perryville Civil War Battlefield Website

Horse Standards

Horse Health Requirements

A current EIA Test (Coggins) is required for each animal within 1 year of the date of the event. Out of state horses will need a health certificate within 30 days of the date of the event. In state horses will need a health certificate within 1 year of the event. Health papers are required for transport within state lines. Current flu, rhino, tetanus vaccinations are highly recommended for each horse. If said paperwork is not in order, or if the veterinarian deems the animal to be unhealthy, the participant’s animal will not be allowed access to the site(s). A veterinarian will be on-site or on call for the entire event weekend. Horses must be supervised and maintained at all times. No horses are to be left unattended.

Horse Requirements
No appaloosas, paints, or pintos, unless they can visually pass for a breed commonly in use by the armies during that time period. No stallions or ponies. Do not tie horses to loose or unsecured items!

Cavalry Impressions
All cavalry impressions must reflect the Kentucky Campaign of 1862. 

Confederate Cavalry Uniforms
All impressions should reflect a typical cavalry unit that would have been in the Army of the Mississippi during the fall of 1862. Specific information on the 3rd Alabama cavalry will be included on our website at  The 3rd Alabama had been actively campaigning during Bragg’s invasion of the state and would not closely resemble the early unit descriptions contained in the research available on our website – please be aware of this as you develop your impression. Although specific information on the 3rd Alabama will be listed on the website please adapt your impression to the following minimum uniform standards:

Jackets/Frock Coats: Civilian pattern sack or frock coats acceptable constructed of jean, cassimere, or satinette of proper construction only. Single breasted military frock coats of jean, cassimere, and satinette of proper construction only. A mixture of state issue and private contract coats, a small amount of CS depot issue jackets are acceptable. The states were still issuing numerous state jackets during the months before the Kentucky Campaign – the Army of Mississippi cavalry had access to the arsenals and uniform makers still operating in Tennessee. 

Suspenders: Proper period pattern constructed of woven cotton, tape, leather, ticking, etc. No elastic. Proper period buckles (not nickel plated.)

Pants: Civilian pattern, C.S. military pattern and sky blue Federal issue. A number of Federal issue sky blue pants were captured at Big Hill and distributed to the Army of the Mississippi during the Kentucky Campaign.
Boots/Shoes: Federal or Confederate-made or imported brogan shoes with smooth or rough sides out. “Correct” Federal issue cavalry boots. Civilian pattern boots & shoes: Boots with one piece fronts. No rubber soles. No (post war) old west pattern boots.
Headgear: Proper period constructed CS or US forage caps or civilian slouch hats: flat, round, low or high crown; beehive, etc. Most have edge trim. With period lining and sweat band. CS kepis are allowed. NO cowboy hat conversions or shapeless hillbilly hat blanks and no animal parts. Hat brass should be kept at a minimum.
Shirts: Civilian pattern shirts in checks, strips, plaids, solids made of proper material with 3/8 inch bone, china, or mother of pearl buttons or Federal issue (plain off white cotton w/ 3 button front) shirts.

Vests:   Proper period construction either lay down civilian style collar or military stand up collar. Jean, satinet etc.
Neck Ties: Silk cravats, printed or solid and tied in period fashion.

Drawers: Proper military or civilian pattern constructed of Canton flannel, osnaburg, cotton muslin.

Socks - Knit wool or cotton socks w/natural period colors. NO elastic or rag wool socks
Overcoats: Documented civilian or CS patterns made of jean, kersey, satinette or cassimere. Federal issue greatcoats as a number of these were captured at Big Hill.

Bushwhacker and Border Ruffian impressions will not be allowed.

Union Cavalry Impressions
The overall impression must reflect the standard U.S. regulations for late 1862. The basic uniform guidelines are as follows:

Jackets/Frock Coats: “A uniform jacket (shell jacket) of dark blue cloth (kersey, satinette or cassimere), with one row of twelve small buttons on the breast placed at equal distances; stand up collar to rise no higher than to permit the chin to turn freely over it…” State issue coats are acceptable.

Suspenders: Proper period construction of material consisting of woven cotton, tape, leather, ticking, etc. Proper period buckles (not nickel plating).

Pants: Dark blue or sky blue Federal issue pants with proper period construction. 

Boots/Shoes: Federal brogan shoes with smooth or rough sides out. “Correct” Federal issue cavalry boots. No (post war) old west pattern boots. 
Headgear: Proper period construction US forage caps and civilian slouch hats with period lining and sweat band are acceptable. NO cowboy hat conversions, shapeless hillbilly hat blanks or animal parts. Hat brass should be kept to a minimum.
Shirts: Federal issue (plain off white cotton w/ 3 button front) shirts are preferred. Civilian pattern shirts in checks, strips, plaids, solids made of proper material with 3/8 inch bone, china, or mother of pearl buttons are acceptable.

Vests:   Proper period construction either lay down civilian style collar or military stand up collar. Jean, satinet etc.
Neck Ties: Silk cravats, printed or solid and tied in period fashion.

Drawers: Proper military or civilian pattern constructed of Canton flannel, osnaburg, cotton muslin.
Socks - Knit wool or cotton socks w/natural period colors. NO elastic or rag wool socks
Overcoats: Federal issue greatcoats are acceptable.

Specific information regarding the 2nd Michigan Cavalry will be listed on our website. 

Military Structure - The rank you wear must be commensurate with the number of troops you put in the field. To serve as a distinct company you must be able to field at least 20 mounted troopers. Commanders are responsible for safety inspections as well as insuring that the event standards are adhered to.

Dismounted Cavalry
Dismounted cavalry skirmishers will have the opportunity to participate as a fully recognized and organized part of the event. In return, dismounted troopers must meet basic standards and function within the military structure. Dismounted troopers will be organized within a company or troop. The rank you wear must be commensurate with the number of troops you put in the field. If your group, or several groups banding together, can put 25 or more carbines at the event, they can operate as a distinct company. To the extent practical, unit integrity will be preserved: however, smaller groups will be consolidated (with the proper rank structure) into appropriately sized companies. The dismounted cavalry will serve and camp with the mounted branch.

Miscellaneous – Feed hay will be provided for all horses. Water troughs will be situated near all encampments. All horse trailers will have designated parking areas. Said parking areas will be patrolled by the Kentucky Department of Parks. Camping out of trailers will not be allowed.