roll your sleeves up?

[LibertyHallVols]

Re: roll your sleeves up?

Chris,

Either there's a ghost in that pic or someone couldn't stand still. My money is on ghost... its the only reasonable explanation.

[fatocat]

Re: roll your sleeves up?

Garo Yepremian! I remember him.

[Stateline]

Re: roll your sleeves up?

Any idea what these fellows are doing in this photo.? Looks like the fella on the left is lining up to kick what the other fella is holding on the ground. Very early football or kickball?

[4thVirginiaSoldier]

Re: roll your sleeves up?

I don't know about any documentation of sleeves being rolled up in the field, other than some images posted already, but as for pant legs being rolled up it really depends on how far up the leg, you know what I mean? Also, if they're rolled up too high there could be a possibility of catching ticks during the summer season. Usually in original photos you just see a little bit of the leg cuffs rolled up so they don't get tattered, and then in some you can spot that they tuck their drawers into their socks (which is what I do) that way there is still airflow to the legs and you don't have to risk getting eaten alive by bugs.

[Tom Craig]

Re: roll your sleeves up?

It may also be a little blend of modern fashion...I just got a catalog from LL Bean and their "signature" collection. Like a lot of modern advertising for clothes, the guys are all wearing like five shirts, and have the cuff rolled up together. A farby origin, but it just may be the inspiration for a reenacting fad.
Take care,
Tom Craig

[CompanyWag]

Re: roll your sleeves up?

That being said, when I saw this post I quickly looked through all of the LOC photos I have saved on my computer and only found this, kinda of a bad example, but you can clearly see his shirt-sleeves rolled into his coat. (also note how his shirt tails are tucked in as well, which has been well documented)

It seems to me that this was a practice, but not as prevalent as many reenactors would lead you to believe.

The LOC info for those who want a closer look is,
Call Number: LC-B817- 7060
Description: Petersburg, Va. General view of the commissary department, 50th New York Engineers

In this photo I think it is also worth noting how this soldier has folded the collar to the inside of his sack coat exposing the shirt underneath and giving the visual effect of a vest without lapels. I've seen this done in a number of original images where individuals are wearing two shirts, but this is the first I recall seeing this done with a tucked-in sack coat. (Not to be confused with the relatively common practise of wearing the sack coat civilian-style with open lapels.)

Nice examples of cuffed shirts and jackets in this thread. I've also seen period images of shirts cuffed to the inside, giving a rather odd appearance. Years ago, I met a man who grew up in New Zealand who wore his shirts cuffed this way. I asked him about it and he said it was a practical method so that the cuffs wouldn't unroll or catch on the underbrush.

Paul McKee

[Cameron]

Re: roll your sleeves up?

Kaelin

I found this on the 9th Texas website. Thought it would go well here.

[J.H.Berger]

Re: roll your sleeves up?

I agree to common sense. Keep in mind that in the field and on fatique it is not like garrison and parade ground. Veterans in the field behaved different and rougher than they would have in their former environment. This you can read in many period accounts. The man to the right has rolled up his sleeves too.

[marylandmarine]

Re: roll your sleeves up?

I don't know how to upload this picture, but on Page 97 of Echoes of Glory, Arms & Equip. of the Union, there is a great picture showing men of the 1st Rhode Island Infantry. One of the lads has his sleeves rolled up.

[Bill]

Re: roll your sleeves up?

Gentlemen,

Remember, uniforms were only issued in four sizes. In many cases, jackets and trousers were rolled up because they were just too long. Again, look at the photos. In many cases, the rolled up sleeves come just above the hands.