If you really wanna nail your US impression for the first half of the war, adding a waxed flesh box belt is one step in that direction.  This waxed flesh is made just like the standard type of leather used for cartridge box belts and waist belts--rather than just the fuzzy flesh side of the leather dyed black, this stuff is oiled and waxed and slicked with glass to the smooth, glossy finish.  It comes with a cartridge box plate attached with the appropriate tapered strip of leather.