In an effort to clarify just exactly how the 3rd Louisiana might have looked on the battle field of Wilson's Creek, I am asking for any and all descriptions of the uniforms that were being worn by the various companies that made up this regiment. For those who do not study such subjects as material culture, it is simply assumed that the 3rd Louisiana were at Wilson's Creek in grey, wearing slouch hats (i.e. mid to late war looking).

There are several items and passages that I have come across that would suggest that the 3rd Louisiana were wearing dark blue at Wilson's Creek. Watson makes mention that the Regular United States soldiers mistook the 3rd for being Regular United States soldiers, as well, no doubt because of how the 3rd appeared to the Regulars. Regular Federal dress for this time was a dark blue frock coat and trousers. Further, there are many accounts of pre-war, and then early war companies in Louisiana being outfitted in dark blue - if not completly, then at least partially. The State pen. was making dark blue cloth at the start of the War, but it was not until August that the State pen. started to produce a "blue-grey" colored cloth. Therefore, because the 3rd Louisiana were organized in May of 1861, there would have been at least several companies that would have had some sort of blue uniform, or else Watson would not have made the claim that he did.

However, on this message board it was said that the Iberville Greys wore grey trousers with a red stripe down the leg. It is my further assumption that a company like the Shreveport Rangers, being from the north of the State, would not have had the fine navy blue uniforms as their fellow south Louisiana neighbors.

There is an effort being made at the moment to make a new visitor center film at the Wilson's Creek NBP in less than two months. The clock is ticking on putting together enough research material, comprised of both primary documents as well as photographs, to portray the 3rd Louisiana as historically correct as possible for future visitors to Wilson's Creek.

So please, if any one has any physical descriptions of what these various companies looked like in August of 1861, please let me know, as I am in a position to influence the outcome of this new film.

Thank you,

Nic Clark