Leggings?

[moarkcav]

I am looking for information on the use of leggings during the war. I remember reading that some of Price's men wore them at Pilot Knob coated with something to keep the bugs away. I have seen pictures of men wearing them before the war, like the one posted by Ken Knopp http://www.authentic-campaigner.com/...ight=gold+rush. There is also a photo at the visitor center at Wilson's Creek of a group of men wearing them. It is also pre-war. I am interested in making a pair but am not sure how common they would have been.

Thanks,

Chris Talburt


http://www.authentic-campaigner.com/...ight=gold+rush

[Curt Schmidt]

Re: Leggings?

Hallo!

For the 1861-1862 time frame of Berdan's/Post's 1st and 2nd Regiments U.S. Sharpshooters, leather leggings were part of the uniform.

Curt

[Andrew Kasmar]

Re: Leggings?

Hi,

Price's men wrapped cloth around their legs and tided it there withstrips of fabric, then soaked the legings in kerosene. Which to me would seem to be a great fire hazard. Now if any one can tell me what type of cloth was used, that would be helpful. Because I am going to the reenactment of Westport, Missouri, and I am planning on wearing some if I can find out the right matterial these leggings were made of.


Andrew Kasmar

4th Missouri Company E

[GreencoatCross]

Re: Leggings?

My guess would be something readily available and relatively cheap....perhaps stout cotton goods like bull denim, hickory cloth, drill, or duck. I wouldn't think that "nicer" fabrics such as woolens would have been used, except maybe pieces of worn out old blankets.

Just a thought,

[Iceman]

Re: Leggings?

It was burlap soaked in kerosine, to keep the chiggers and ticks off. The burlap was to act as boot would do; i.e. keep their pants from being torn and shredded while ridding through the brush on horseback. If they didn't have proper boots, then they would wrap the bottom of their legs in burlap. There's a period drawing of Missouri refugees and one guy is standing by the fire with burlap wraped around the legs from the knee to the ankle.

[Andrew Kasmar]

Re: Leggings?

Hi,


Thanks.

Andrew Kasmar

[Jubilo]

Re: Leggings?

Dear Sir ,
In Robert Sneddens' book "EYE OF THE STORM " , he relates his seeing the entire Third Corps on dress parade during the Peninsula campaign , every man wearing white gaiters .
all for the old flag ,
David Corbett

[moarkcav]

Re: Leggings?

Thanks for the response. I guess I should have clarified what I was interested in. What I was referring to is exactly what Nick spoke of and what is in the photo posted by Mr. Knopp. I would venture that these would have been fairly common in the field out west. Does anyone else have any information?

Thanks,

Chris Talburt