Modified Slouch Hats

[Andrew Kasmar]

I was going through some photos and I came across a interesting photo of a servant wearing what appears to be a cut-down slouch - giving the appearance of a cap (see attached photo) http://loc.gov/pictures/resource/cwpb.04040/ . Has anyone else come across other images like this?


All the best,

Andrew

[Craig L Barry]

Re: Modified Slouch Hats

Jeepers, to these old eyes that looked like a cap but I see what you mean now.
Given the lack of protection from the elements afforded by caps/kepis it
seems unlikely. Caps were issued, most brimmed hats were an item of private purchase.
Why would someone modify a piece of headwear purchased out of pocket to be
more like an item that was issued for free?

[Matt Woodburn]

Re: Modified Slouch Hats

That's what it looks like Andrew. Craig, why? Hmmm....the back part of the brim has a hole/damage from a bullet or shell, or had part burned away from laying it too close to the fire. Maybe the brim came apart from the crown in the back from use because the whole affair was a bit shoddy. At any rate, you could cut off the back and sides of the brim and make what you see in the image. And who would wear such a monstrosity? Perhaps a young African boy who did not have much money, and maybe never had a hat before in his life. Neat image because it has something I've never seen.

[CompanyWag]

Re: Modified Slouch Hats

Is it very likely this man had any money to spend? What remains of the crown does make the hat look as if it started life as an issue Hardee hat. Eveything thing else he wears, save his shirt, looks to be government clothing. Working for the Assistant Quartermaster as a detained slave or free man he may have had an easy supply of anything he fancied if his bosses were not strict bean counters. A modification to suit his sense of style or comfort may not have been done in consideration of the cost of the item. He may also have a different sense of style, utility and social appropriateness than his white officers and comrades.

Paul McKee

[Craig L Barry]

Re: Modified Slouch Hats

Ironically, sign reads "Office of Assistant Quartermaster."

[Mike Ventura]

Re: Modified Slouch Hats

Could be an optical "delusion" due to the angle, a slight movement, etc. by the wearer. But, what about the brim on the slouch hat on the guy just to the right (looking at the picture) of the servant in question? It seems very short to my eyes.

[Illinois Rebel]

Re: Modified Slouch Hats

http://www.authentic-campaigner.com/...chmentid=33028

[Chip42]

Re: Modified Slouch Hats

Possibly the same? Check out the Gentleman 2nd from the left.

http://quod.lib.umich.edu/cgi/i/image/image-idx?c=dpa1ic;select1=all;rgn1=ic_all;back=back1302113380;q1=militia;chaperone=S-DPA1IC-X-DPA3437%20DPA3437.TIF;evl=full-image;chaperone=S-DPA1IC-X-DPA3437%20DPA3437.TIF;quality=1;view=entry;subview=detail;cc=dpa1ic;entryid=x-dpa3437;viewid=DPA3437.TIF;start=;resnum=33

[Andrew Kasmar]

Re: Modified Slouch Hats

Do you have any info on that photo? That is very strange in almost every detail (clothing, headgear, equipment, and weapons). It appears that the center man is holding a Postdam M1809, the man to his right a 1855/1861 Springfield, and the man on the right also appears to have 1855/1861.

[CompanyWag]

Re: Modified Slouch Hats

Possibly the same? Check out the Gentleman 2nd from the left.


http://quod.lib.umich.edu/cgi/i/imag...art=;resnum=33

That looks like a different beast altogether...But what a marvelous photograph! The comic-opera aspect is hilarious. It looks like some sort of theatrical production. I'd love to know more about it. Am I correct in assuming this is a cabinet-size print and not a CDV?

Paul McKee

[Chip42]

Re: Modified Slouch Hats

The photo is part of the Burton Collection of images within their "Early Detroit" File. I've been living in there for the last few weeks looking for unrelated stuff, when I found that image, Titled: Detroit Light Infantry. The DLI has an interesting history, as they became part of the 1st Michigan Infantry (3 Month) although I can't find anything related back to this photo. I suppose I'll have to get in to the Burton Collection to see the actual photo to see what if any backstory there is. The photo is great--the look on the face of the man in the middle cracks me up every time I see it. My fellow mess mates and I have been knee deep in Militia Units in Michigan 1861--if we find anything related to the photo, we'd be happy to post.

Here is the link to the description of the photo:

http://quod.lib.umich.edu/cgi/i/image/image-idx?c=dpa1ic;select1=all;rgn1=ic_all;back=back1302113380;q1=militia;chaperone=S-DPA1IC-X-DPA3437%20DPA3437.TIF;evl=full-image;chaperone=S-DPA1IC-X-DPA3437%20DPA3437.TIF;quality=1;view=entry;subview=detail;cc=dpa1ic;entryid=x-dpa3437;viewid=DPA3437.TIF;start=;resnum=33

I'd like to add that if you have a few minutes, search the Burton Website. There are some great period photos that using the image size feature can be blown up and show some excellent detail.

[GreencoatCross]

Re: Modified Slouch Hats

Sam, this somewhat similar albumen came up for sale on eBay a while back. Obviously a theater or performance group of some kind using surplus uniforms and firearms...maybe that's what the DLI image really is? This one was in the Chicago Tribune archives and was titled "Regular Army Ole" and "Harrigan & Hart."

[Chip42]

Re: Modified Slouch Hats

Brian:

Been awhile--hope you are well! After seeing your image, I think you hit the nail on the head. Just for fun, I'd like to see what I could find about the "DLI" image--but what you wrote makes much more sense with the hodge-podge of arms, equipment and uniforms on those fellas in the "DLI" pic.

Best,