Help with image background

[hardeeflag]

I was wondering if someone knows the background of this image. These soldiers look like they might be scouts...? They look similar to other scout images I've seen. Interesting the age of the boy in front and the flap pockets on that sack coat. He looks really young but has an officer's hat cord.

I also have a question in regard to the type of hats I see worn on a few of the men. I've seen hat mostly like this on union soldiers. Is this a military hat or commonly available civilian hat? I don't see southern men wearing such hats. The ones in question are the man with his head visible to the far left man sitting and the young boy; the man sitting 4th from left; and perhaps the man standing far left. Just curious of what type of hat this is. Also is there a maker who makes a reproduction? I know many hats came open crown and were shaped by the wearer so just curious of what type of hat it would have been new...?

Thanks for any info.

[Ryan Thornton]

Re: Help with image background

Rich,
This is an interesting image in many respects. I do not know its origin but I do recognize the African-American soldier at left. He was the subject of a sketch by the artist Walton Tabor I believe. Thou the artist pictured him standing alone and holding a whip in his right hand. I assume his is wearing the smock made from a burlap bag in order to keep his uniform clean. The men appear to be a mix of military and civilians. Possibly Teamsters or other quartermaster employees posing with their military escort. The man sitting at the far right (you can only see one arm and leg) is wearing an enlisted mounted service jacket. Which would lend towards the theory of a cavalry escort. It would be interesting and possibly helpful if we could discern the insignia or numerals on the forage cap in the center or the emblem on the vest of the standing gentleman to the right of center. Intuition (and the preponderance of slouch hats) leads me to believe this is a scene from the western theater.

[Ryan Thornton]

Re: Help with image background

Rich,
You mentioned the hats. The man with only his head visible at left and the man standing in the Napoleon pose look to be wearing privately purchased "officer's style" model 1858 hats. Dirty Billy sells both the bound brim 1858 "officer's hat" and also what he calls "the Buford" which has more of a rakish style. The man sitting fourth from left appears to be wearing a model 1858 hat which he has styled quite handsomely. Dirty Billy and Tim Bender both make reproductions of this hat. And speaking of hats, how about the man standing at center. From the leaves on the bushes in the background (and the open blouses of a number of the men) it must be warm. That fellow must be very attached to his cold weather headgear.

[Elaine Kessinger]

Re: Help with image background

The hat with the domed crown the "young boy" is wearing is a commonly available civilian hat and not specific to the Federal Army. Here's a link to some commonly available boys' hats. https://www.pinterest.com/pin/277252920782484304/

[Matthew.Rector]

Re: Help with image background

Here is the information provided by the Library of Congress:

http://www.loc.gov/pictures/collection/civwar/item/cwp2003000269/PP/

They say they are "Scouts and guides of the Army of the Potomac" at Brandy Station, Va.

[Ryan Thornton]

Re: Help with image background

Matthew,
Thank you for providing the context for and the full image of the photograph. The men are wearing quite an aggregation of uniform and civilian attire. I can understand why a spy would wear civilian clothing as a disguise. Why do you suppose so many of these men are wearing a mix of civilian and military attire? It seems this would decrease their ability to move undetected behind enemy lines and almost insure their execution if captured.

[Cotton Trash]

Re: Help with image background

Rich, Thanks for posting this interesting photo, The African male attracts my attention when looking close one can see that he has placed the "chin" strap of the kepi under his chin and I'm curious about his jacket. The top button appears to be a wooden domed type seen on RD2's and 3's and is that an epaulet with the same wooden button?

[hardeeflag]

Re: Help with image background

Thanks for the comments and posting the original larger image and the description. I thought indeed these were scouts. I have seen images of these and they seem to be dressed in a variety of Civilian, mix of civilian and military uniforms and some of them in military uniforms. I'd imagine when crossing enemy lines for intelligence gathering it was quite a dangerous occupation and wholly civilian clothing and equipment would have been necessary. I've read several histories of men operating as such and they operated individually, in small groups, as well as advance guides and scouting for larger body such as scouts on behalf of the brigade.

In regard tot he question of the hats. You honestly believe these are just officer versions of the dress hat? I've seen these in many images and just wondered.

[Johnschut]

Re: Help with image background

I would like to know about the gentlemen with the pipe, I think his hat is very interesting as someone else said it appears to warm out. Also at there any decent reproductions of that style out there?

[Ryan Thornton]

Re: Help with image background

Civilian hatters sold any number of styles to men in the middle of the 19th century and the style of men's hats was influenced by the war and the military image. Almost any quality black hat of similar dimensions could be shaped to copy those you mentioned. Another choice would be Tim Bender's "Stevenson" hat. It is on my wish list.

- - - Updated - - -

Semper Fi John!
The gentleman seated fourth from the left in the larger image provided by Matthew is also wearing a fur cap. His shows more of the style of construction as his hat is tilted towards the camera.

[stuttgart.ross]

Re: Help with image background

I have seen this image before as part of a history presentation. It is a picture of the Scouts of the Bureau of Military Information - the Army of the Potomac's all-source intelligence organization. The Scouts are both civilian and military, which may account for their varied appearance.

Craig Ross
Late of Spencer's Invincibles, Sandwich Islands