I'm working on a CD-ROM for the Shiloh battlefield. It will be based on a 3D reconstruction of the battlefield and includes 3D characters. Dressing the Southerners has been a bit of a problem. I have specific information for standard uniforms for some regiments, but I would like to get a statistical "feel" for the typical Confederate infantry soldier. Because of the early date, I'm led to believe that as many as a majority were in civilian jackets. A good many were probably in light colored sack or frock coats. Is that correct? This seems to jibe with the reenactments I've seen for Shiloh. What would be the predominant color of the civilian jackets and coats? brown? What other common civilian styles would have been present?

The fact that many of the Louisiana and Mississippi troops were fresh, would lead me to think that the uniforms and civilian clothing were in reasonably good shape?

I know that the Richmond shell jackets were out there by this time, but I don't know if many of the southwesterners had received them. Were there other shell jackets worn by troops at this time? Any ideas?