Confederates wearing gaiters

[Mississippian]

Just looking to stir some debate. Recently I've found a couple of quartermaster documents detailing issues of gaiters to C.S. troops in the mid-war time frame:

Example 1 comes from the 4th Louisiana Battalion in late August 1863. At the time they were stationed in east central Mississippi, but within a few days they would be heading out to Georgia to reinforce the Army of Tennessee. I have provided one example from Co. "B", the other companies got roughly the same things.

Example 2 comes from a detached company of the 30th Georgia Infantry. This also comes from August 1863. Co K was in Savannah while the balance of the Regiment was in Mississippi.

Thoughts? Anyone have other examples?

Will MacDonald

[Don Dixon]

Re: Confederates wearing gaiters

In December 1861 two Louisiana Tigers _ 1st Special Battalion, Louisiana Infantry _ Dennis Corcoran and Michael O'Brien were executed by musketry near Manasas, VA. When we exhumned the graves to help clear the land for development we found the buttons for four button gaiters near their feet. The exhumation was conducted according to archaeological standards.

Regards,
Don Dixon

[Cumpston1862]

Re: Confederates wearing gaiters

Gents-

Attached is a drawing attributed to Confederate veteran artist A.C. Redwood entitled "Goodbye". Mr. Redwood as we know contributed many illustrations to the "Battles and Leaders" works after the war. IIRC it is described as 2 friends saying goodbye to a third who has been loaded on to the wagon train leaving from Gettysburg. Redwood reportedly based many of his works on his own experiences and his eye for detail has always been one of his trademarks. Many believe this is a self portrait of Redwood who was in Brockenbrough's Brigade (55th Virginia Infantry) at Gettysburg and was himself wounded in the battle. You will note the one wounded soldier who is saying goodbye to the man in the wagon is wearing gaiters. Although this is not a photograph it is interesting that Redwood would draw this man wearing gaiters if he did not see it that way himself. And most likely this man is a self portrait of Redwood of who was in fact wounded in the right arm at Gettysburg.

[roundshot]

Re: Confederates wearing gaiters

The actual article written by Allen Redwood which describes the ambulance scene illustration attached to Mr. Zenti's post above can be found here: https://www.unz.org/Pub/Century-1881sep-00641

[David Fox]

Re: Confederates wearing gaiters

The Louisiana Tigers, joining the Valley Army spring of 1862 were remarked upon for their unusual uniforms, uniformity of dress, and leggings.

[PenPusher]

Re: Confederates wearing gaiters

Here is a link to a pair of Confederate gaiters taken from a dead Louisiana Soldier at Shiloh.

http://historical.ha.com/itm/military-and-patriotic/civil-war/confederate-gaiters-from-battle-of-shiloh-with-painted-provenance-louisiana-zouave-1862-total-2-items-/a/674-72334.s

[Silas]

And then there's this one

1863 or 1864 photo of Sgt. William Crawford Smith, 12th Virginia Infantry. A posed, studio photo isn't the same as a bona-fide in field usage, but the photo exists. Make of it as you will. There's also a photo of a guy in leopard skin trousers, too. Finding a photo or a stray item doesn't establish Plain, Everyday Common usage. Just means there's a photo.

[birdseye]

Re: Confederates wearing gaiters

In my research on the Hampton Legion, I have uncovered several mentions of "leggins" from primary sources. Here are two I can put my finger on at the moment:

1861, Oct 27: Pvt. Hutson (Co. A) mentions promise of "new leggings" soon.

1863, Sep 30: Gov't issues more RD-II jackets, pants and caps, plus 40 pairs of canvas leggins.

-Paul Canter

[Mississippian]

Re: Confederates wearing gaiters

Paul,

Thanks for the tip on Jenkins Brigade. A quick check showed that at least 4 of the 6 regiments of the brigade (Hampton Legion, Palmetto Sharpshooters, 2nd SC Rifles, & 5th SC) were issued gaiters in 1863, the Hampton Legion in September and the other three units in various times during July.


Will MacDonald

[50thGAInfantry]

Re: Confederates wearing gaiters

22nd Ga artillery battalion were also receiving gaiters into 1864.