Socks over your pants?

[PvtHull48thovi]

Ok gentleman,

The question is a simple one. In the mainstream world, you see many men tucking their pants into their socks in order to not step on the back of the trouser legs. For many years I have just simply rolled my pants up a tad in order to avoid this. Upon looking at several painting done by Trionai, the question is, how authentic is it tuck your pants legs into your socks. I haven't seen any photos of this that I can remember. It seems to work and is practical, but would this have actually been something done, or is this one of those things that re enactors collectively do? I searched the forums and nothing came up.

Any help would be much appreciated.

Sincerely,

Shelby Hull

[PvtHull48thovi]

Re: Socks over your pants?

Here is the only photo I have found out of like the 1000 I just searched through. Can anyone tell me where this was taken. I am thinking he is federal based on the cuff design of his jacket. But being that there is no box plate or insignia. Its hard to identify.

[FranklinGuardsNYSM]

Re: Socks over your pants?

Here's a useful thread. http://www.authentic-campaigner.com/...ght=tuck+socks

[Craig L Barry]

Re: Socks over your pants?

I am not a preacher and this is not a sermon but there is a broader issue. Fieldcraft. Doing what works for a good reason, not necessarily because it can be seen in an image. How did it improve your lot in life? Sure, sometimes tuck the cuff of the trousers (trowsers) into the socks to keep the ticks from crawling up your pants leg. I do that because the Stones River battlefield park has tall native grass and last summer especially, ticks were a problem. If somebody thinks its a fashion statement, well who cares what somebody else thinks? I'd rather not get sick with Lyme's disease. If there's no problem with ticks, probably not going to see me "blouse" my trousers into my socks. Why do it? Also, I may or may not button my coat or even wear it unless out of camp, depending on temperature and comfort.

No greatcoat...I have a gum blanket, which works both when it's cold or wet. I like the US 1858 infantry hat because the brim keeps my face dry if it rains and if not it keeps the sun out of my eyes. Carry a folder (pocket knife) and often use it. In fact, its many uses make it indispensible. Maybe use the sling for carrying your musket (the purpose intended), depending on if you need to use it for some more necessary purchase, like holding your pants up or securing a bedroll. And so on. Take care of your feet, mend your clothes and regardless of the weather, take pains to stay warm and dry. I keep my musket clean and dry so it will both pass inspection and fire in any weather.

Let the circumstances dictate how you use any of your equipment, with an eye towards "less is more." Can some piece of material culture be used for multiple purposes? Is something useless? My recommendation would be, if you "blouse" your trousers into socks, do so for some good reason.

[cwilson]

Re: Socks over your pants?

Craig,

I know these are statues, but these are three examples of confederate monuments found here in Georgia. All of these clearly show the socks over the trousers. I'm not sure how much input veterans had as to how the statues look, however surviving veterans were present at the dedication of all three of these.

[reddcorp]

Re: Socks over your pants?

And I've viewed many such statues where the soldier's weapon is clearly post-Civil War. So, I'd opine that statues and post-war paintings aren't the best reference source.
A. Redd

[Silas]

Re: Socks over your pants?

I'm fairly sure it's Catlett Station. It's certainly during the Second Manassas Campaign.

As for blousing, I do it all the time. No one says a word. I don't look out of place. Of course, I blouse my DRAWERS, not my trousers. Bloused trousers are a sign that the soldier probably isn't wearing drawers as there's not much point in blousing both.

[Yellowhammer Rebel]

Re: Socks over your pants?

There are also several period drawing of soldiers with their PANTS bloused into their socks. AC Redwood I believe is one of the artists that show this. Yes, it was period. Do I do it? No, I choose not too for numerous reasons. I choose to blouse my drawers instead of the pants, although I wouldn't say that this method is more authentic than blousing your pants. I believe both types of blousing are as authentic (from period drawings, etc) as not blousing your pants at all.

[Cumpston1862]

Re: Socks over your pants?

The only other image I can think of with a soldier having his pants tucked into his socks is the attached image of a young dead Confederate in the trenches of Petersburg in April 1865. Actually only one is tucked the other is MIA.

[jake.koch]

Re: Socks over your pants?

This is speculation, however with alot of those Civil War monuments showing men armed with the later trapdoor Springfield, (I know of at least one we have in the park) they may have been using illustrations from the Indian Wars. It was very common and documented in sketches for the infantry out west to tuck trousers into socks and tie the sock with a piece of string or twine. That is where I think alot of these monuments got their ideas from since many of them were sculpted close to the turn of the century - those Russell and Remington sketches and paintings were likely some of their inspiration, even if off the mark in some regards.

[jakebook]

Re: Socks over your pants?

I think this is one of those things that is an issue of practicality and will never be "solved" as to how often it was done or when. I myself have never tucked them in, but that is not to say I won't based on bugs, weather etc. I think there is enough evidence to say that it definitely was done.

[Johnny Lloyd]

Re: Socks over your pants?

All-

I'd like to see more pictoral/1st-hand accounts of if this practice was done. Let's keep it to that and nothing anecdotal, please. Thanks! Perhaps we can add to the search engine on here. ;)

[Bmanz1085]

Re: Socks over your pants?

http://www.blueandgraymarching.com/articles/prisoners-of-grant-the-punc.html

Several CS prisoners are seen to have pants tucked in socks as pointed out in the article.

[Silas]

Re: Socks over your pants?

This is speculation, however with alot of those Civil War monuments showing men armed with the later trapdoor Springfield, (I know of at least one we have in the park) they may have been using illustrations from the Indian Wars. It was very common and documented in sketches for the infantry out west to tuck trousers into socks and tie the sock with a piece of string or twine. That is where I think alot of these monuments got their ideas from since many of them were sculpted close to the turn of the century - those Russell and Remington sketches and paintings were likely some of their inspiration, even if off the mark in some regards.

Funny you should mention the statues in your park. I was looking for photographs of the Alabama monument which has soldiers blousing socks and strings holding them up. Wasn't this monument placed there in time for the Centennial?

[GrumpyDave]

Re: Socks over your pants?

Where's the like button?
In this book: http://www.amazon.com/More-Gallant-D.../dp/0873514076 the 1st was told to tuck their trowsers into their socks at Fredericksburg. Just because there isn't a photo, doesn't mean the boys of 186x didn't have common sense. They hated gaiters with a passion. Just ask General Gibbons horse.

I am not a preacher and this is not a sermon but there is a broader issue. Fieldcraft. Doing what works for a good reason, not necessarily because it can be seen in an image. How did it improve your lot in life? Sure, sometimes tuck the cuff of the trousers (trowsers) into the socks to keep the ticks from crawling up your pants leg. I do that because the Stones River battlefield park has tall native grass and last summer especially, ticks were a problem. If somebody thinks its a fashion statement, well who cares what somebody else thinks? I'd rather not get sick with Lyme's disease. If there's no problem with ticks, probably not going to see me "blouse" my trousers into my socks. Why do it? Also, I may or may not button my coat or even wear it unless out of camp, depending on temperature and comfort.

No greatcoat...I have a gum blanket, which works both when it's cold or wet. I like the US 1858 infantry hat because the brim keeps my face dry if it rains and if not it keeps the sun out of my eyes. Carry a folder (pocket knife) and often use it. In fact, its many uses make it indispensible. Maybe use the sling for carrying your musket (the purpose intended), depending on if you need to use it for some more necessary purchase, like holding your pants up or securing a bedroll. And so on. Take care of your feet, mend your clothes and regardless of the weather, take pains to stay warm and dry. I keep my musket clean and dry so it will both pass inspection and fire in any weather.

Let the circumstances dictate how you use any of your equipment, with an eye towards "less is more." Can some piece of material culture be used for multiple purposes? Is something useless? My recommendation would be, if you "blouse" your trousers into socks, do so for some good reason.