New item!

[NJ Sekela]

Friends:

It is with utmost pleasure and excitement that I announce I new item that I am offering, which is just in time for the early war events coming up. It is taken from the correspondence of a Federal soldier, who noted that his sweetheart had sent him a pair of socks, early in the war, with the Confederate Flag knit into the sole. This was of course a highly symbolic gesture as well as for morale, in that every step that he took on the way to Richmond, he was stepping on the Confederate flag.

They serve as an excellent interperative tool, whether it is for the public or school education, as it shows the fervor of patriotism was at the time. In addition, it shows how strong a symbol that the flag was to the everyday person.


These socks will be available through Skilletlicker , EJ Thomas and Carter and Jasper.

I am,

NJ Sekela,
Manf'r.
N.Jers'y.


http://www.unionarmyjeans.com

[reb64]

Why make a sock that has only one purpose, which is to disrepect the flag and soldiers who fought for it. I wish I could buy them all up. Its no different than making a pair with the US flag on the bottom. Its akin to letting it touch the ground on purpose. As a SCV member and former Co. I ask for you to please discontinue this product, Rob Hayhurst

[madisontigers]

Mr. Rayhurst,
I too am a proud descendent of numerous Confederate soldiers. I am not offended too much by the item Mr. Sekala is offering. It is, by nature, disrespectful to put a flag on the bottom of a pair of socks. However, I am also an avid living historian, and as long as it is period correct, I say go for it. If these socks did in fact exist, and were worn by jubilant Northern soldiers, then I say sell em'. If they are not historically documented, then I do say please reconsider producing these socks. My sentiments are not in disrespecting the flag that my ancestors fought under, but my sentiments also lead me to believe that I do them a greater injustice by not portraying them and their foes as accurately as possible. Again, if the socks are correct, go for it, if not, I'd seriously consider staying away from any SCV camps.
Thanks,
David Long
Asheville, NC

[NJ Sekela]

Wow! I guess that I am a little naive. I never saw this in the context of the modern PC outside world, and would more have expected this from outsiders. I have always seen reenactors as nuetral interpreters who let history and documentation lead the way. I always thought that the role was to heighten the awareness and knowledge by recreating the period. This item actually brings depth to the impression, and understanding of the war. As we all know, many in the south at the time were wearing session badges.

At no point am I interested in making a modern political statement through my products. I guess that this comes with the territory of bringing new things into the marketplace. I thought it was a much better item, than just yet another Columbus Depot jacket.

NJS

[JerseySkilletLicker]

Mr. Rayhurst,
Mr. Sekela has never "made up" anything for sale. Everything he has ever done is documented. These socks existed. I will stock them when available, not because I hate the south or have disrespect for anyone, but because they are one more "piece of the puzzle" for interpretation of this period of history. I will gladly accept all major credit cards as well as checks and money orders for all the socks you wish to buy.

[MStuart]

I'm with David......I think we're letting 21st century PC get in the way of historical accuracy. The socks should be no more offensive to a "southern" troop as wearing a U.S. belt buckle upside down was to a northern soldier. If we all practiced 21st century love and political correctness in our impressions, we wouldn't have much to reenact, would we?

Should we reenact "the way it was" or the way we'd have liked it to be.
Southerners were seen as "rebels", something to be squashed and rubbed out for the good of the Union. Hence, I suppose, those socks.

My only gripe is they didn't have "tube" socks back then. I hate those "crew" length one's. They make ya look like a geek!!

Mark

"Southern" reenactor

[Frenchie_2006]

Follow politically correct dogma far enough and the entire hobby will disappear. Presentism is a threat to all serious study of the period. I'm going to order a pair for display and discussion.

Now if you'll excuse me, I'm going to light up another smoke and decide where to go for a nice, thick, juicy steak tonight. :P

[MStuart]

Hail Brother!! Another smoker!!

At the risk of making this thread totally inappropriate, do you get your smoke's locally, or off the internet like I do? It's cheaper that way, almost like they're paying you to smoke!!

Mark

[Frenchie_2006]

Send me your favorite link, Mark. TIA,

[JW&CO]

Bottom line here is that the item existed. If you doubt this, I am sure Mr. Sekela will be more than willing to show you documentation. How can you call yourself a living historian if you are not willing to live history. We are portraying a time of great conflict and strong feelings. People truely hated the South during this time. While we should show respect to our ancestors and their memory we would be doing them an injustice by not portraying the time period as it was. If it wasn't for innovations in research, such as this, we would be flooded in a world solely of JT Martin and SA products. The array of products is what makes our ancestors memory stand out. These were not just a group of guys in blue, but individual people with individual thoughts and feelings. With this comes individual ways of self expression.