Another uniform question about headwear for my unit.

[Wiedemann/McCalmont]

Hello everyone,
thanks for the input on the other post! I appreciate it. My next question is about headwear. I have found several examples of dark blue kepis being used in photographs that i am lost on. I am a reenactor with the 28th Alabama and i am trying to improve my impression. I have found that the 28th Alabama fought in Manigault's Brigade, Hindman's Division, in Polk's corps along side with the 24th Alabama, 34th Alabama, 10th South Carolina, 19th South Carolina, and the 44th Mississippi (which was replaced by the 24th and 34th Alabama units).......the pictures i have found show several members wearing dark blue kepis.



1)Would a dark blue kepi be an acceptable hat to wear as a member of the 28th Alabama based on this the following links?



http://www.pinterest.com/pin/328270260310988169/ this member joined the 28th Alabama in 1863 according to their records (THOSE GALLANT MEN OF THE 28TH ALABAMA)\

http://cowanauctions.com/auctions/it...x?ItemId=65860 This is not a kepi, but a dark blue forage cap. Member of the 24th Alabama.

http://digital.archives.alabama.gov/cdm/singleitem/collection/photo/id/5190/rec/18

http://digital.archives.alabama.gov/...id/5194/rec/19 these 2 gentlemen are from the 34th Alabama, and both wear the dark blue kepi

http://www.authentic-campaigner.com/...-Cased-Tintype This is a discussion about the kepis, but does not positively say anything about them being correct. It also referances a dark blue forage cap.


Thanks again ladies and gentlemen.

Jake Wiedemann
41st OVI/28th Alabama

[Jon The Beloved]

Re: Another uniform question about headwear for my unit.

To begin to discuss this sort of thing.. so far as general impression goes, so far as your company or regimental uniform returns go, so far as your wallet will stretch; I must ask - what primary campaigns you find yourself being involved in portraying? What campaigns are you planning to portray in the years to come?

It seems to me that a French/Navy/Indigo/Infantry blue? kepi, presupposing you found that such occurred in at least two sources, would be appropriate through an early section of the war. One must keep in mind how and when uniformity was encouraged and that some soldiers would decide when uniform regulations were more loose that they would hold onto such headwear for sentimental purposes even though the average soldier may have begun to wear other headgear such as a standard grey kepi or another type of topper. There are a few accounts which tell of such occurrences - A Few. A lot of what survives, survives for a reason, it was not used much.

In My Humble Opinion, one should look for later uniform returns, later descriptions of battalions or divisions or even corps for the primary choice of headgear for these Alabamians. I think doing a search on here for the gospel message of the quality slouch hat may sway you to religion. Alabama was a veritable mixed bag as far as issuance goes with access to the bays through blockade and the rails and rivers in one of the last bastions of the unoccupied South. Continue to do some digging and get together with other like minders. Ask great questions and be willing to help turn up answers to those questions.. and if you find a blue kepi or even a forage cap copy as suggested.. get one made for the whole crew and then buy a good quality blocked and shaped slouch hat for the average day in the life of the 28th Alabama. :p

[Curt Schmidt]

Re: Another uniform question about headwear for my unit.

Hallo!

"My next question is about headwear. I have found several examples of dark blue kepis being used in photographs that i am lost on........the pictures i have found show several members wearing dark blue kepis.'

The best impressions, and the ones that do the greatest historical "justice" or "historical correctness" to original units are the ones that are researched and documented to the CW unit for the time and place it was worn.
Meaning, "when" a particular uniform was worn, especially for CW troops, often if not nearly "always" (an often dangerous Universal) is critical. For example, the high top hats and black trimmed "frock" coats of some of the Texas Brigade companies when they were formed in 1861 were not what was worn in 1865.

IMHO, if your 28th Alabama impression, for the "time" you are portraying, has been documented by accounts and/or Period images go for it as part of a researched and documented quality impression.

Curt

[Wiedemann/McCalmont]

Re: Another uniform question about headwear for my unit.

Thank you guys! I realy appreciate all the feedback. I have been researching this out for a while and literaly stummbed upon all the dark blue kepis within a day of each other and made me curious. The general concensious seems to be to wear it only early war. (1861-1862ish, maybe even 1863)

what would be a good late war Army of the Tennessee hat be then? I dispise slouch hats, they do not fit right and are always getting in the way (i.e branches) and i am trying to figure out a better kepi or forage hat to work with.

Jake Wiedemann

[joby]

Re: Another uniform question about headwear for my unit.

I would recommend either a plain kepi with painted brim or a grey or tan jean kepi with a blue band for later war AOT impression.

Joe Frutchey

[Jimmayo]

Re: Another uniform question about headwear for my unit.

Starbuck makes a reproduction of the kepi worn by Pvt. A.A. Crews who served in the 29th Alabama. If they served in the same area as the 28th they would probably draw on the same depot. You can see this cap on page 163 of the Time Life EOG of the Confederacy.

[Cotton Trash]

Re: Another uniform question about headwear for my unit.

Jake, I have some of Ben Tarts Wheat Jean Cloth left over from a Commutation Jacket and Vest that I made and it's hangin around taking up space, you are welcome to it if you decide that you want to make or have a kepi made, just pay shipping and its yours!!