LOC photo of Sherman's bummers

[FortyRounder]

Having been inspired by other (more knowledgeable) posters, here is an image from the Selected Civil War photographs collection that I found rather intriguing:

http://memory.loc.gov/cgi-bin/query/D?cwar:2:./temp/~ammem_I9gN:T41:

Note the ragged, dishevelled, and generally unmilitary appearance of these men, which corresponds with written descriptions of Uncle Billy's boys. What is the white thing on that fellow's head, a bandage?

[hireddutchcutthroat]

Re: LOC photo of Sherman's bummers

Interesting that you brought up this image, as I have been stairing at this image for the past week or so. One of the things that strikes me right of is the condition of the one fellows fatigue blose and his really beat up hat. As far as what the other fellow is wearing on his head. I have no idea, maybe it is an inside joke lost to time. He seems to be having a good time.

[ThehosGendar]

Re: LOC photo of Sherman's bummers

You are right, Robert. This is a very, very peculiar image.



Two of these soldiers are very ragged. Soldier 1 has a large tear on his left sleeve, and a hole in his breast pocket. It appears as if there is something round and metallic poking out of it. A watch, perhaps?

Soldier 1 in detail:


Behind him in the same row is Soldier 2, the most ragged of the group. The left arm of his sack is torn at the elbow, his trousers are frayed at the cuffs, and his shoes, particularly his right, are in very bad shape.

Soldier 2 in detail:

(Also note that the soldier behind him and in the far row has his sack tucked in.)


The soldier over Soldier 2's right shoulder is wearing a slouch hat with a hat cord:


Next is the mysterious Soldier 3. I have no idea what to make of this. I can't make out any layers or folds in indicate a wrapped towel/mock turban, though there is a slight bulge on the right-front. The edge around his head is quite evenly rounded... perhaps it's a bowl of some sort acting as a helmet?

He's also the only in the group who is wearing a waistbelt.

I believe he's playing a joke, impersonating someone or just being a weirdo, because almost everyone in the group is smiling, especially Soldier 4, who's in the middle of a huge guffaw!


The only frustrating thing about this image is that the camera's focus was set on the wheelbarrows and the artillery rounds. Had the focus been set on the men, the mysterious pseudo-turban mystery would be easily solved. However, one more interesting tidbit appears in the soldiers that are in the background, standing at the base of the earthworks. One is wearing winter gloves!


What do you think? Have at it, while I wash out my eyes!

[DougCooper]

Re: LOC photo of Sherman's bummers

Jason - think the gloves are "work gloves" - this type of work could be hard on the hands after awhile.

[Johan Steele]

Re: LOC photo of Sherman's bummers

THe purpose of the Gloves may be to keep the hands from being burned as I've read recently of Cannon Balls stacked in their pyramids becoming quite hot after resting in the sun all day, not to mention the pinch hazzard. THis is indeed a fascinating picture, one that requires a bit of study. Could that Turban like hat be the powder bag used in some kinds of prepared arty rounds? If that were the case I could see the joke, but it definetly is a good image, I too wish the focus had been on the men.

[hireddutchcutthroat]

Re: LOC photo of Sherman's bummers

Remember Savanah was a Christmas present. The thoughts on the gloves are all very valid. The thing on the guys head could be a haversack liner, some sort of powderbag??? I still think the kid is some sort of wag, especialy since the kid behind him is obviously ammused. May be this is the reason for the extra duty.

[Curt Schmidt]

Re: LOC photo of Sherman's bummers

Hallo Kameraden!

Is it a curved scratch on the image, or does Soldier No.2 have a "stampede string?"

;-)

Always interesting when a smile is captured on period images....

Curt-Heinrich Schmidt

[hireddutchcutthroat]

Re: LOC photo of Sherman's bummers

Moin moin Curt

I was wondering the same thing. Maybe we are looking at the earliest farbs :D

Another thought on headbag kid, maybe it is a crude hat replacement, judging from the other hats in the photo, its possible his went south. Also note the guy behind the guy with his sackcoat tucked into his pants, is hatless.

[hardtack1864]

Re: LOC photo of Sherman's bummers

Do some of these men have dark blue pants? If so it seems like these guys went Feral like Si Klegg :D and that might expalin the hat cord.

[hireddutchcutthroat]

Re: LOC photo of Sherman's bummers

It does look like they are wearing darkblue pants. Like we said, it is a very strang image.

[hireddutchcutthroat]

Re: LOC photo of Sherman's bummers

It looks as though the guy with the tucked in sackcoat has a thin belt, possibly a greatcoat strap.

[KentuckyReb]

Re: LOC photo of Sherman's bummers

The only thing I really hate about this picture is that if it gets around too widely, soldier #1 is gonna be the 'documetation' cited by every f__b who wears one of those shapeless 'Chico Marx' hats. :D

[tomarch]

Re: LOC photo of Sherman's bummers

Comrade Gendar: Could you please do one of your awesome blow ups of the soldier on the far far left? What's that on his coat?

[ThehosGendar]

Re: LOC photo of Sherman's bummers

Is it a curved scratch on the image, or does Soldier No.2 have a "stampede string?"

Herr Schmidt,

Here's the left and right sides of the plate. That cord is really there. You can make out a slight shadow from it by his ear. Want to bet that he's wearing a bola tie, too? :D

Left plate:


Right plate:

Comrade Gendar: Could you please do one of your awesome blow ups of the soldier on the far far left? What's that on his coat?

It's a shiny breastplate!

Doug,
You're probably right about the gloves. I shouldn't have jumped to the conclusion of them being winter gloves... should have just typed 'gloves'. I have to stop doing that!

What is interesting about the trousers is that the men with the wheelbarrows are wearing the darker trousers, while the soldiers in the background hanging around the bombproof are clad in sky blues. Perhaps it's two seperate units, with the wheelbarrows just passing through and the fellows in the background watching on?

[Dingus]

Re: LOC photo of Sherman's bummers

Herr Schmidt,

Here's the left and right sides of the plate. That cord is really there. You can make out a slight shadow from it by his ear. Want to bet that he's wearing a bola tie, too? :D

And to my eyes it looks like the string actually passes over the top of his hat. Does it look so to others? If so, it may be that this group is engaging in more than one joke here. Maybe they were conspiring to confuse future reenactors?