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, 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.