Atlanta Depot Cloth Shoes?

[YoungCampaigner]

Hello all. On page 65 of Don Troiani's Civil War Infantry by D. Troiani, E. Coates, and M. McAfee, there is a picture of an unfinished pair of wooden-soled canvas shoes that were found in a depot in Atlanta. They are unfinished, so I can't exactly tell, but it appears that they went together almost like a slipper. Does anyone know if these were ever issued? Does anyone know if there is a sutler that makes a reproduction of them? Most importantly, what the heck are they anyway?

[LWhite64]

Re: Atlanta Depot Cloth Shoes?

There were wooden solded canvas shoes that were issued, there was an article years ago in North South Trader that was about wooden soled shoes and had one pr that was cloth, BUT they didnt appear to be like the ones in Troiani's book.

Lee

[hiplainsyank]

Re: Atlanta Depot Cloth Shoes?

Wilson's Creek NBP has some on display as well.

[YoungCampaigner]

Re: Atlanta Depot Cloth Shoes?

Hello All. That is interesting. Thanks for the info. I'll have to see if I can find anything else out.

[LWhite64]

Re: Atlanta Depot Cloth Shoes?

Its been a long time since Ive been out to Wilson's Creek, but I dont recall those cloth shoes. Are they wooden soled? Also, does anyone have pics of them?

Lee

[LWhite64]

Re: Atlanta Depot Cloth Shoes?

In regards to those types of shoes, if I recall correctly, I believe that they were issued during winter months and to mounted troops, makes sense since you dont want to go on a long march with them, talk about footsore.

Lee

[Coatsy]

Re: Atlanta Depot Cloth Shoes?

Some years ago Nate Petersburg had some of these wooden soled monstrosities at an event based on the originals mentioned. (Don't ask me where he got them, I don't recall) Needless to say he tossed themafter marching around in them.

So I can see why they are uncomfortable to wear.

[mboyce]

Re: Atlanta Depot Cloth Shoes?

I have not actually seen a picture of them, so I am unfortunately speculating here. In the medeival period they had a wooden sold sandal for wearing in wet times called a patten, to protect thier leaher shoes and stay up out of the mud. Is it possibly that these wooden shoes were for a similar purpose? As I said, I haven't seen them, but do they look big enough to fit over a shoe that is already being worn?