There are two main impressions for the 19th Virginia; early war and late war. Early War covers the very beginning of the war to around the spring of 1862. During this time, the regiments were typically uniformed, with some variety between the men. For the Albemarle Rifles, it has been documented that the company wore gray frock coats, with sky blue cuffs and collar, and sky blue trousers. The company also wore gray caps with sky blue trim. This is the uniform described by R. T. W. Duke, Jr., son of original organizer and Captain Richard T. W. Duke. According to the July, 1861 muster roll, the company was described as being "well uniformed" and armed with "minnie muskets" (most likely referencing to the Springfield Rifled Musket or 1841 Mississippi Rifle).
As the war progressed, materials became in short supply, and the soldiers became more "ragged." "Ragged" had a different meaning back then; ragged referred to not having matching clothes. This could mean a soldier could have a different styled uniform than the soldier next to him. The Richmond Depot jackets became popular in the 19th Virginia, and many images of the 19th Virginia show the men wearing both frock coats and shell jackets throughout the war. When supplies were low or unable to be reached, soldiers would use civilian items as part of their uniforms, especially hats. In many pictures of Confederate prisoners taken in the later half of the war, shows very few caps, which most associate with the common image of the Civil War soldier, can be found amongst the Confederates, especially by 1864. Many picked up the civilian styled hats along the way or were brought from home. By 1863, soldiers could also be seen wearing items of captured Federal gear. At the Battle of Antietam (Sharpbsurg), Federal troops attacking the Confederate right was driven back by A. P. Hill's Light Division, and some were mistaken for Federal troops. Just three days before, the division had participated in the capture of Harper's Ferry, the important Federal arsenal. Uniforms began to wear out, and some troops took Federal caps, pants, and even coats to use till they received new ones from the quartermaster.