the fatigue blouse tuck

[westcoastcampaigner]

Hello All,

In the past year or so I've seen a new trend (and maybe it's just that) of guys tucking their fatigue blouse into their trousers. My question(s) is...was this common during the war, when did it start, what theatre would it have been seen more in? When is it appropriate for us as living historians to do this if at all? When I first saw this I thought it looked cool but then thought about all the other things that guys do in this hobby to make themselves look cool and end up degrading what would have otherwise been a good impression. What are your thoughts, I'd love some input here. Thanks.


Best Regards,

Josh Sawyer
Liberty Rifles (National Light Infantry)
Hardtack Society

[Dignann]

Re: the fatigue blouse tuck

The search function is always a good place to start:

Someone is cold.

Unusual Uniform

Eric

[Texyank]

Re: the fatigue blouse tuck

Interesting that you posted this today, I was looking at this photo a couple of days ago when I noticed this seargent with a tucked in blouse.

I can't speak to the purpose of wearing the blouse this way; his pards don't appear to be cold, or emulating his fashion statement. Looking at this photo only it appears to be one of 50.

I don't remember the call number but it is listed as Co K 93rd NY, August 1863.

Input from a focus group of one: probably a distraction.

Jason Hamby

In memory of Thomas Jefferson Humberson, private, Wall's Texas Legion

[Michael Comer]

Re: the fatigue blouse tuck

Interesting thing in that photo is the wide range of ages of the men. Some of those fellows ain't no spring chickens.

[westcoastcampaigner]

Re: the fatigue blouse tuck

The search function is always a good place to start:

Someone is cold.

Unusual Uniform

Eric

Yeah I tried the search function first (like I always do) and didn't come up with anything. Obviously you saw something I didn't. Thanks for pointing those out to me.

Josh Sawyer
Liberty Rifles (National Light Infantry)
Hardtack Society

[Utley]

Re: the fatigue blouse tuck

The book [I]History of the 31st Illinois Volunteers has several pictures of soldiers wearing their blouses tucked, as well as some (I believe) that appear to have been cut down into "sack jackets". This could have been because many of the Illinois troops were first issued jackets instead of sack coats and the fellas wanted to keep that look.

I was also looking at the above linked pic, and it appears as though many of the men are wearing shell jackets, which might shed some light on why that old soldier wanted to tuck his blouse in. Old habits and looks are hard to break.

[GermanDraftee]

Re: the fatigue blouse tuck

This is off the track from "tucking" the sack coat. The "sergeant" that is highlighted in the above photo appears to my eyes to be a corporal. I can make out only two chevrons. Compare the "tucker's" sleeve to that of the two sergeants in the upper row of seated men, 3rd & 4th from the left, and the corporal, same row, center, seated between and behind the officers. (Marvelous enlargement, by the way. Thanks for posting it!)

[Charles Heath]

Re: the fatigue blouse tuck

Think for a minute. What common article of men's work clothing was worn tucked or untucked? There's your answer.

(I hope the gals are laughing at this latest round of tucking vs untucking.)

[unclefrank]

Re: the fatigue blouse tuck

Excellent photo. What strikes me as odd is how young the 1st Sgt. looks. He could be the son of alot of those guys. The Sgt. beside him doesn't look much older.

[Bill Fean]

Re: the fatigue blouse tuck

Jason

This is a great picture. What strikes me is the varying length of the hair on the soldiers. The fellow standing between the Lts. his head his practically shaving and the man on his right in the back, his is also quite short. Then you have a soldier whose beard seems out of control :) ( the one seated in the middle near th 2nd Lt). Great picture to study!!


Most Respectfully

Bill Fean

[boreguard]

Re: the fatigue blouse tuck

Very cool picture. Note the 2nd Lt w/ a Cav Saber, the pvt w/striped shirt, the pvt w/ an undershirt, and all the other stuff...I love this one.
Thanks

[Texyank]

Re: the fatigue blouse tuck

Uncle Frank,

I found this while in my "library" this morning. It is from Alan Nolan's book about the Iron Brigade, 3rd ed. pg. 114.

"In Gibbon's Brigade the reorganization of the army was reflected in the rise to prominence of three new officers in place of those who had fallen at Brawner farm. In the Nineteenth Indiana, Captain William W. Dudley of Company B was appointed Major in place of Isaac May. Dudley was nineteen years old....."

Also, this photo is of Co B of the 93rd NY. Funny how much younger this company looks in the aggregate.

[Rob Weaver]

Re: the fatigue blouse tuck

Uncle Frank,

I found this while in my "library" this morning. It is from Alan Nolan's book about the Iron Brigade, 3rd ed. pg. 114.

"In Gibbon's Brigade the reorganization of the army was reflected in the rise to prominence of three new officers in place of those who had fallen at Brawner farm. In the Nineteenth Indiana, Captain William W. Dudley of Company B was appointed Major in place of Isaac May. Dudley was nineteen years old....."

Also, this photo is of Co B of the 93rd NY. Funny how much younger this company looks in the aggregate.

Hold on to your hat, it gets better: When Sol Merideth becomes the brigade commander (much to Johnney the Warhorse's chagrin) Dudley will be commanding the 19th Indiana.