Boots vs. Brogans

[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/...ad.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