Boots vs. Brogans

[ASMA PVT]

Hello everyone,

Our unit is having a discussion now about whether the majority of us would have had boots or brogans. We portray an artillery unit which served in the western theater. I am just curious if anyone can help me sift rhough all the photos and information out there. I just need some good sources I can search and take to my unit to help us decide what is correct and what isn't. Thank you all.

[Kevin O'Beirne]

Possibly neither. Bear in mind that boots were expensive, and brogans were typically a Federal item. Many Western Confederate units had, I believe, other footwear.

[7thNJcoA]

When you start looking at photos of Confederates in the West most often you see Civilian style footwear. The supply lines were not very good from Richmond and other Southern states to the West. When the boys needed footwear they got what they could get thier hands on. My suggestion is try and find photos of your unit. This doesnt always work but there are so many lists of Quartermaster issue items and letters to read that help you understand the type of gear the soldiers were wearing. I read a letter from a North Carolina man during the year of 1864 who was making shoes for some of the troops that were sent as replacements. He was not a shoemaker by trade but at 58 years old he wasnt able to continue his blacksmith shop. I think Missouri boot and shoe has a good selection of civilian footwear for around 150 to 185 the last time I checked. Also check out some of the other A/C aproved vendor list sutlers. Most have a good selection of civilian wear a few diffrent ideas for footwear. Keep the research up and if nothing comes up make a decision based on as much research of the unit and other units in the area you have.

[Poor Private]

I feel that going barefoot is under represented, :rolleyes: have the whole unit go barefoot. looks period and saves you money too!

[61' reb]

I would say to just research some original photographs and see what you can come up with. Majorly i would say that civilian footwear would have been worn, like low quarter shoes, or also civilian ten inch boots.


Jon Preston
______________
Breckinridge Greys

[ASMA PVT]

I meant to ask what the footwear for the Federal soldiers in the western theater would have been. We galvanize, but the majority of the time we are a Federal Battery. Thank you for the information so far and I am continuing to look on my own as everyone here is assisting me.

[tenfed1861]

The Federals out west had both Jefferson brogans as well as contract stuff.MB&S sells a pair that was patterned off a pair that was seen out west.So a either pairs would work.

At the same time,a lot of Federal infantry starting in 1863 started to wear boots.Just before the Atlanta Campaign,Gen. Sherman ordered his infantry to get rid of their boots.Most simply just rolled their trousers down enough so he wouldn't notice.But these are infantrymen,mind you.

[flattop32355]

At the same time,a lot of Federal infantry starting in 1863 started to wear boots.Just before the Atlanta Campaign,Gen. Sherman ordered his infantry to get rid of their boots.Most simply just rolled their trousers down enough so he wouldn't notice.But these are infantrymen,mind you.

I'd be interested to discover the source of that information, if you have it handy.

[plankholder]

me too, Cullen- I have long milled over the truth vs. myth/urban legend of the "Infantry Boot". Its kind of like bigfoot, alot of people spot him but no one ever gets a picture! Anyhow, I would love to be able to justify donning a pair of "Infantry Boots".-ELI

[FloridaConfederate]

There are others here more versed in Western Federal material culture than I...

but, and I mean this constructively, if this is your western fed impression there are probably other more noticable ways of improving the impression first, then focus on boot vs brogan details later...not that they are not important.

For example the ubiquitous 4 button sack and plain civilian pattern hats...

Good luck in your quest ....you're on the right path asking questions..check out the threads in the arty folder on the AC.


http://asma.csatroops.net/images/cannoncrew1.jpg

[tenfed1861]

"Echoes of Battle:The Atlanta Campaign" by Larry M. Strayer and Rickhard A. Baumgartner.I don't have time to type out the entire quote,but it will be in the first chapter.

[unclefrank]

Boots were not as common, but they were there. Check this thread on the AC. http://www.authentic-campaigner.com/forum/showthread.php?t=16158

Notice the Union private watching the Reb prisoners, wearing boots. I also have publications at home showing them in the field.

[plankholder]

Thanks, Cullen-great find(if you had typed it out I would have given you a smiley-con!). I have seen written references,as well as images of Federals wearing boots. I would just love to have an example or even specifications of the elusive "Infantry Boot" as well as some specific documentations to the numbers issued.(records or misleading in this area as the words "BOOTS","SHOES" and "BOOTEES" seem interchangable and at the QM's or clerk's preference of vocabulary. I dont think that there is much doubt on the existance of this animal-too many fleeting references- but no real examples. -ELI GEERY

"Echoes of Battle:The Atlanta Campaign" by Larry M. Strayer and Rickhard A. Baumgartner.I don't have time to type out the entire quote,but it will be in the first chapter.

[Busterbuttonboy]

Well fellers, i would like to thank Cullen for actually providing a source for which Heath will be able to answer his question.

Cris, the barefoot question has been beaten to death in a multitude of scholarly forums and in quite a variety of publications. Please keep in mind many post war sources, especially 1880's and 90's accounts will often refer to the ragged rebel, please become familiar with the post war period before referencing these.

Drew I- also i would love to see your sources. My apologies for not posting any, it is rather late and i believe Cullen has steered Heath in the right direction.

Other suggestions off the cuff

Hardtack and Coffee

LOC <http://memory.loc.gov/ammem/cwphtml/>

The Pride of the Confederate Artillery: The Washington Artillery in the Army of Tennessee
by Nathaniel Cheairs, Jr. Hughes

Augusta's "Pet Company": The Washington Light Artillery of Augusta, Georgia
by Russell K Brown

FOUR YEARS IN THE CONFEDERATE ARTILLERY; THE DIARY OF PRIVATE HENRY ROBINSON BERKELEY - Virginia Historical Society
by Henry Robinson;

Trans Mississippi Artillery
http://www.jstor.org/view/00263931/di962646/96p0374i/0

While some of these may be a start, i am sure there are a ton more out there. Many may be available on google books as well.

Hope it Helps.
Fellers i look forward to your notes.

Drew Gruber

[tenfed1861]

Eli,I had class a few minutes before I found it,so I really couldn't hunt it down and type it out.There is an image from 1863 of a group of western Feds.They are sitting around in what looks to be winter quaters covered in shaddy trees.Just from looking at that image,I have counted several men wearing them.In McPherson's "Battle Cry of Freedom",there is a field stetch of the 21st Ohio crossing a river.Out of that,I counted several in boots.This might just be the artist's rendetion of the campaign.

But EOB does speak of how many of the men who wore boots had purchased them with their re-enlistment bounty or picked them up on furloung.That is why I am thinking they are private purchased.If they were issued then getting rid of them would be no big deal.But since they had bought them with their own money,they are less likely to get rid of them.There forgo the reason of hiding them in the ranks.

Just my .02 cents.
Cullen

BTW: Drew,good find on JSTOR.I need to search it more for CW stuff.Mostly I find reviews.

[vamick]

I would just love to have an example or even specifications of the elusive "Infantry Boot" as well as some specific documentations to the numbers issued.(records or misleading in this area as the words "BOOTS","SHOES" and "BOOTEES" seem interchangable and at the QM's or clerk's preference of vocabulary. I dont think that there is much doubt on the existance of this animal-too many fleeting references- but no real examples. -ELI GEERY

Eli Ive always assumed they were the same short boot as the 'artillery drivers boot' are you speaking of some sort of boot issued strictly to infantry or 'that 10" boot"??

[flattop32355]

"Echoes of Battle:The Atlanta Campaign" by Larry M. Strayer and Rickhard A. Baumgartner.I don't have time to type out the entire quote,but it will be in the first chapter.

Page 34, left hand column under a picture of Corporal Randolph H. Swan. The caption goes on to say that in spring of 1864 orders were issued prohibiting enlisted men from wearing boots in the upcoming campaign. Swan sold his to one of his Lt's, mentioning that another member of his company said he wasn't throwing his away "to comply with the order of anybody". He also says that many men had bought expensive boots, apparently while on furlough, and apparently private purchase. They considered it an outrage to have to abandon them.

[plankholder]

That is the mystery. There are records and references made to an issued "Infantry Boot" that was specifically issued to Federal foot soldiers(no pun intended). If memory serves me,Serio made a few pairs back in the early 90's, but the details on this boot have always been sketchy at best. The Artillery Drivers boot would certainly be better to march in than a riding boot, but they still seem a bit tall for the march.

[tenfed1861]

Maybe the reason why they marched was because of where they were from.They might have been use to moving though the forest in boots.In one of my hiking classes (yes,we have classes on hiking at Union),the prof. said that when it comes down to it,hike it what you are comfortable in.Maybe they were comfortable in boots.

[Slickrick214]

Have you checked out Missouri Boot & Shoe company. They have a few different styles of Civil War era civilian shoes.

http://missouribootandshoe.tripod.com/id5.html

[Edwin Carl Erwin]

Huberd's Shoe Grease is a great product for protecting footwear: www.huberds.com/.

[prestontoprail]

Here are some digital photos I tracked down and did some close up study of some western federal units. Photographs sure do suggest that western federal soldiers were hard headed, rougher and of a different nature than eastern federals. Boots did seem to be more of a favor among the western armies and you will see heavy use of them in these garrison/camp photos, you still have photos of infantry units during the Chattanooga campaign where boots of some desgin or purchase are everywhere on the enlisted men. Anyway, here are some pictures to give you an idea....

http://www.hardcaseboys.proboards61.com/index.cgi?board=photodiscussions&action=display&thread=1170746299&page=1

[ASMA PVT]

Is it safe to say the western artillerymen were split on their footwear as much as their headwear? I have noticed alot boots and brogans in pictures I have found, just like I noticed alot of forage caps and slouch hats. I'm just trying to improve my impression and it is time for new footwear. I know there have been discussions on where to buy good boots and brogans so I won't really ask that, but I will ask: For the price is Jarnigan's Brogans/Boots worth it? I'm going to also ask do ya'll prefer sewn on soles or pegged soles?

Thank you all for your help.

[Slickrick214]

I never bought boot or shoes from Jarnagins but the people who have don't seem to really have very many complaints about them. Most people seem to speak very highly of Jarnagins shoes and leather work.

[plankholder]

its certainly a possibility, and I did the Bentonville March in boots(but will NEVER do that again) because I found a personal account which the FED soldier referred to his boots on that campaign. It killed y feet, and I am an accomplished backpacker and a 13 year soldier in the Modern Army. My big question is about the issuing of boots, private purchase is a possibility, and of course happened, but a good pair of boots at the time was $100 or better, how many could actually afford that-if they could, they would have probably bought a horse and joined the Calvary.