Getting into reenacting should be a gradual process. At first glance, it seems like there is a plethora of equipment to purchase - and for a complete impression - there is. But you don't have to immediately spend $1500-$2000 to procure everything you might ever need. Part of the experience is learning as you go along and incrementally improving your impression with the addition of new gear. When you first begin, there are a number of "corners you can cut" and borrowing equipment is usually an option.
An impressive gamut of pricing exists for each piece of reenacting gear. You can spend very little and obtain something that may not be period correct, or you can spend an exorbitant amount of money and get something that is museum quality. Usually, beginners try to buy something in between. If they stay in the hobby, they can replace things one by one with more authentic items.
Your first purchase should be the basic uniform: trousers, kepi, and jacket. Plan on purchasing at least these items to begin your reenacting career. Contact Ken Smith for details about purchasing the correct uniform for the Eighth Alabama Company "I".
Initially, see if you can arrange to borrow a musket from someone in the company. With it you will probably also get a bayonet and scabbard. You may even be able to borrow a cartridge box, cap pouch, and waist belt. You'll definitely need a canteen - either borrowed or purchased. Reenacting is nearly always dehydrating! And, although you can probably get along without a haversack for your first battle, you'll find it really comes in handy and isn't particularly expensive. For your first event, you can avoid the high cost of brogans if you have some plain black or brown boots or shoes that can be covered with gaiters. But plan on upgrading in this area fairly soon. Finally, if you wear eyeglasses for distance, think about purchasing a period pair or converting to contact lenses. There is nothing that spoils a period impression more completely than aviator frames (although everyone is willing to overlook them on a "fresh fish" new recruit.)
If you're interested in doing a Federal
impression as well as a Confederate one at some point ("galvanizing")
you can avoid having to buy a whole separate kit for that if you plan ahead
and are careful with what you buy initially. Most of the elements of the Federal
impression cross over very well to the Confederate side (although the converse
isn't as often true.) After all, Confederates frequently reequipped themselves
from the Federal dead after a battle. It isn't even uncommon to see a Confederate
with a US box plate or belt buckle - "battlefield finds." If you
are really careful, the only item that you should buy separately is the Federal
sack coat (and possibly a forage cap.)