The purpose of this webpage is to provide information for members of the recreated 69th New York State Militia for “Tell Them We Have Done So “- Commemorating the 165th anniversary of the 1st Battle of Bull Run 17-19 July 2026.
Event Registration Link. Deadline: June 30th 2026
Event Address: Manassas National Battlefield Park, 6511 Sudley Rd, Manassas, VA
Report Time: Recommended Friday 17 July But NLT 8AM, Saturday 18 July.
Relevant Webpages
- 69th NYSM @ 165th 1st Bull Run Facebook Group
- Event Sponsor: Civil War Historical Impressions, Inc
- Manassas National Battlefield Park
- American Battlefield Trust 1st Manassas Animated Map – Good summary of the battle. To track the 69th NYSM, look for references to Tyler’s Division and Sherman’s Brigade.
Historical Documents
69th New York State Militia (Dyer’s Compendium, 1908)
The Irish Brigade and its Campaigns (Capt D.P. Conyngham, 1867) Chapter 1 covers the 1st Battle of Bull Run.
Maps
69th NYSM Event Order of Battle
Field & Staff
- Lt. Col. Scot Buffington
- Major Kyle Windhal
- Adjutant: Tom Grant
- Safety: Chad Slater
- RQM: TBD
- Sergt Maj: Joe Pankey
- Principal Musician: TBD
- Color Sergt: TBD
Companies
- First Company: Capt. Drew Schwartzel (63rd Pa, Third Regt)
- Second Company: Capt Rolf Madole (28th Mass, Thrd Regt)
- Third Company: TBD (Liberty Rifles, Third Regt)
- Fourth Company: TBD
Event Schedule
Under Development
Impression Guidelines
Uniform and Equipment. The 69th NYSM was a member of Sherman’s Brigade, Tyler’s Division, McDowell’s Army of Northeastern Virginia. Participants should expect to live out of the packs and haversacks, campaign style for the event. Uniform and equipment should reflect 1861 standards. It is recommended to have 120 rounds per rifle for the event.
The 69th NYSM had a distinct appearance which is to be replicated at this event. See the 69th NYSM @ 165th 1st Bull Run Facebook Group page for Group Buy opportunities.
Headgear
- Preferred 1: State Issued Kepi With/without proper Linen Havelock. Brass ‘69’ on front
- Preferred 2: Forage Cap with Havelock. With/without Brass ‘69’ on front
- Acceptable: Straw Hat With/without a green band // With/without Brass ‘69’ on front
- Unacceptable: Forgae Cap without havelock, Hardee hats, civilian hats
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Shirt
- :MANDATORY: Red Contract Issue flannel shirt without pocket
- With permission 1: Gray Contract Issue flannel with/without poc ket
- With permission 2: Shirtless
- Unacceptable: Anything but the above
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Trousers (Sky Blue) with Suspenders (braces)
- Mandatory: Either a Schuylkill Arsenal or quality Contract trousers
- NOTE: NCO’s must wear appropriate red pant stripes
- Unacceptable: Cheap sutler trousers, dark blue, and pre-war versions
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Shoes (aka brogans)
- Preferred: Federal Issue (aka Jefferson Bootees, brogans, contact shoes), with either pegged or sewn soles, preferably the earlier non rivetted pattern.
- Unacceptable: Modern footwear, high-top bootee, brown (natural) leather, soles other than leather, Vibram soles added, laces other than rawhide
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Canteen, strap, and cover
- Preferred 1: New York Depot. – Cotton drill strap, metal cork chain, jean cloth cover (gray or light blue), cork stopper with a rounded brass nut topped with a domed tin washer.
- Preferred 2: Philadelphia Depot – Smoothside, leather or blue-and-white mattress ticking straps, various covers, cotton cork string, LONG cork with spanner nut
- Acceptable: Mid-to-late war canteens, Cincinnati canteens
- Unacceptable: No cover, Confederate or Mexican War canteens.
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Drawers
- – Preferred: U.S. Army canton flannel drawers, wool or cotton citizen drawers, none
- – Unacceptable: Any type of modern underwear
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Period Socks
- Preferred: Correct period wool socks
- Unacceptable: Modern hiking socks, rag wool socks, socks with low tops.
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Rifle Musket
- Preferred 1: m1842 .69 cal smoothbore Springfield
- Acceptable: Model 1861 Springfield (1st Choice) or Enfield (2nd Choice)
- Acceptable in limited numbers: Model 1863 Springfield
- Unacceptable: Any other type of weapon, any original weapon, any 2-band variation of the Enfield or Springfield.
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Bayonet
- Preferred: As needed for weapon
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Musket sling
- Preferred: As needed for weapon
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Scabbard
- – Preferred: 2-rivet early-war version
- – Acceptable: 7-rivet mid-war version
- – Unacceptable: Enfield (straight) scabbard and frog
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Waist belt
- Preferred: Correct construction and material, with the pattern 1858 oval US buckle or proper lead-filled SNY buckle, leather keeper
- Acceptable: Above with brass keeper
- Unacceptable: Brown or buff leather, any belt buckles other than regulation oval US or SNY plate
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Cartridge box and sling
- Preferred: .69 box, with corresponding 1858 oval US plate or proper lead-filled SNY plate
- Acceptable: Model 1857 or 1861 .58cal box, with corresponding 1858 oval US plate or proper lead-filled SNY plate
- Unacceptable: Brown or buff leather, any belt buckles other than regulation oval US, wearing it on your belt unless directly specified.
- Note – wearing cap pouch and cartridge box on belt is appropriate in limited numbers at the Commander’s discretion.
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Haversack
- Preferred: Standard US Issue
- Unacceptable: White or blue-white tick, leather, anything not black.
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Knapsack
- Preferred: Federal issue two-bag knapsack of black-tarred canvas.
- Unacceptable: Anything else, including militia hardpacks, wooden insert, 1864 models.
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Blanket
- Preferred: 100% wool, have a hand sewn “US”, unfinished edge
- Unacceptable: Any modern material, period civilian blanket, coverlets, quilts, jean wool blankets.
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Gum Blanket
- Preferred: Vulcanized rubber
- Acceptable: Painted cloth, poncho
- Unacceptable: Any modern poncho or ground cover
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Tent
- Preferred: No tent (“Cowboy Camp”)
- Acceptable: A-frame, Type IIa, Type III (mid- to late- war)
- Unacceptable: Tents with brass grommets, Sibley tent, anything modern