Large size shot of the pickets by the fire

[OleMissRebel]

In the past few years I've come across several people asking for a larger size image of this shot. I don't have any information on this picture, but behind the shot of the Confederates marching through Frederick, Maryland, this might be my favorite image from the war (makes a great desktop background too!)

[KPavia]

Re: Large size shot of the pickets by the fire

That's the front cover on a Time Life book I have called "Soldier Life" and all the information it gives about the photo is "Waging the soldier's never-ending struggle for comfort, the Union men capture what warmth they can find from a small fire."

This is one of my favorite photos also. I love catching glimpses of un-posed aspects of the private soldier's life.

[ScottCross]

Re: Large size shot of the pickets by the fire

I've always wondered about the soldier with his back to the fire: that is one incredibly thin blanket he has twisted over his shoulder!

[Spinster]

Re: Large size shot of the pickets by the fire

that is one incredibly thin blanket he has twisted over his shoulder!

I wonder if that's actually what it is.

A couple of years ago, I searched high and low to make a specialty item for a long event--a man requested a proper 'double shawl'. I made it of a high quality tropical weight wool. Rolled and twisted, it had an appearance very much like the one in the image. In use, he reported it to be very warm for its weight, taking up little room and extremely water resistant in an absolute deluge.

No real way to discern what is in the picture, but certainly a thought, given that men did wear such during the period.

[lukegilly13]

Re: Large size shot of the pickets by the fire

I always thought it perhaps a rubber blanket or poncho.

I love this image. Thanks for posting!

[OleMissRebel]

Re: Large size shot of the pickets by the fire

I wonder if that's actually what it is.

A couple of years ago, I searched high and low to make a specialty item for a long event--a man requested a proper 'double shawl'. I made it of a high quality tropical weight wool. Rolled and twisted, it had an appearance very much like the one in the image. In use, he reported it to be very warm for its weight, taking up little room and extremely water resistant in an absolute deluge.

No real way to discern what is in the picture, but certainly a thought, given that men did wear such during the period.

Could the man standing have something similar around his neck or is that just a regular old scarf?

[Horace]

Re: Large size shot of the pickets by the fire

Thanks for posting this. I believe that's actually his greatcoat cape wrapped around his shoulders.

[Brandon Ledvina]

Re: Large size shot of the pickets by the fire

It may be a number of things around his neck but it just might be a blanket. For some of you that have the Pea Ridge blanket from the Wisconsin Veterans Museum you know how thin it is. I've spent a few cold nights under that blanket wishing I would have brought a different or second blanket.

[Horace]

Re: Large size shot of the pickets by the fire

Well, the standing guy has no cape hanging down over his coat. I would say that's because it's been pulled up around his shoulders and neck.