proper foot wear

[Lt5thGaCav]

Re: proper foot wear

To all,

Thanks for the advice, I wish I was rich so I could buy one of everything but I am not so I think I will Purchase a pair of the 12" high Artillery/Cavalry boot.
And if asked when doing Confederate I stole them off a dead Yank.:tounge_sm


Thanks again and Charge On!

Greg J Geisel Jr.

[Andrew German]

Re: proper foot wear

Greetings:

To apply some quantitative analysis here, I went through my CDVs and tintypes and the photos in the 1st Mass., 1st Maine, and 10th New York regimentals. Out of 74 images where footwear could be seen, 43 men wore boots and 31 seemed to wear shoes.

For your amusement, here are two shots from the field. The fellow in the tinted ferrotype is George Ayling of the 1st Mass. The tin is inscribed at Potomac Creek, May 21, 1863 (just after their return from Stoneman's Raid). Note the interesting suspender flap on his mounted trousers.

The second is a hard image of a portion of Co. A of the 10th New York, taken at Camp Bayard, Va., early in 1863 (it's beautifully reproduced in Preston's 1892 history of the 10th New York, opp. p. 54). Melvin Douglas is in the saddle with tall boots. Orderly Sergeant Nelson Mitchell stands with tall boots, slouch hat, and gauntlets. John P. McWethey reclines with tall boots and slouch hat. At right, Edward S. Stark kneels in ankle boots. Note the variety of footwear, headgear, and mounted service jacket styles in one company.

Enjoy!
Andrew German

[Andrew German]

Re: proper foot wear

I couldn't resist one more image, showing regimental quartermaster sergeant George Fincher of the 1st Pennsylvania home in Reading, probably during his veteran leave in early 1864. Note his knee-flap boots with spurs. I've noticed a proclivity among non-commisssioned officers to wear 9-button "roundabout" jackets rather than mounted service jackets. Fincher has an officer's-style one, with 3-button cuffs. He also seems to have supplied himself with a stylish kepi rather than a forage cap.

Andrew German

[jpbab]

Re: proper foot wear

In my opinion brogans were just as common as boots for your average trooper.

Maybe more so. Sometimes it seems to me that all those big ol' tall boots are over represented but thats just my opinion.

Notice the over represented boots in this picture. ;)

(File attached)

Source "Echoes of Glory"

[Outrider]

Re: proper foot wear

Notice the over represented boots in this picture. ;)

(File attached)

Source "Echoes of Glory"

All due respect, these guys are not your AVERAGE TROOPERS.
I could be wrong here but it looks to me like the only one not an officer in this photo is the guy holding the horse and he is wearing short boots.

[Daniel_Gregory]

Re: proper foot wear

I have to say Serio screwed me over a pair of boots, so he was not a great guy to deal with. Next, yes he has an authentic product but not a high end product. The boots he makes would be considered utilitarian in the period. Just presenting both sides.
Todd Kern

I had the same experience Todd.

[T.Kern]

Re: proper foot wear

Have to agree with Patrick. Besides all one has to do is look at documentation to see the huge number of shoes being issed compared to boots.
Todd Kern

[Alan Lloyd]

Re: proper foot wear

Friends

Has anyone noticed any seasonal variation in Federal issue of boots/shoes? I wouid speculate that boots would have been more often drawn in the winter and shoes in the summer.

Also, to put in a good word for Missouri boot: I have purchased 5 pairs of boots and shoes from them in the last 10 years and the only trouble I have had is difficulty in getting them to answer the phone. Love the boots

[John E. Tobey]

Re: proper foot wear

I don't have a very large data base yet, and only looked at US records, but I've found that troopers were drawing shoes when they were in permanent camp. I'm assuming that they liked shoes for stable and fatigue duty, because there was an order in a divisional order book (1st Div, AoP Cav, I think) that tried to discourage troopers from drawing shoes if they had serviceable boots -- this was in the late fall of 1863, when there was a clothing shortage for parts of the army. Again, these current observations are based on very limited information.

John Tobey

[Rob Walker]

Re: proper foot wear

For what it's worth I have a shoe (yes only 1 from the pair) that was worn by confederate calvaryman. I would have to look through some paperwork but I believe it was the 5th Va. Cav. I bought it from a desendant that split the pair unfortunately I got there after the first one was sold and was unable to obtain the pair. Anyway, seems to be there was a bit of personal opinion and preference as too what a man wore on his feet. After viewing some Cavalry images it would appear that the boot was more prevalent but there are an awfull lot of shoes on the men as well. As far as brogans are concerned I personally prefer Mattimore's work.

[DaveGink]

Re: proper foot wear

The second is a hard image of a portion of Co. A of the 10th New York, taken at Camp Bayard, Va., early in 1863 (it's beautifully reproduced in Preston's 1892 history of the 10th New York, opp. p. 54). Melvin Douglas is in the saddle with tall boots. Orderly Sergeant Nelson Mitchell stands with tall boots, slouch hat, and gauntlets. John P. McWethey reclines with tall boots and slouch hat. At right, Edward S. Stark kneels in ankle boots. Note the variety of footwear, headgear, and mounted service jacket styles in one company.

Enjoy!
Andrew German

That is a great photo!!! Though it appears to be flopped horizontally. Lots of very interesting details!!

[Andrew German]

Re: proper foot wear

Hello Dave,

That's correct, the original must have been a tintype, or possibly an ambrotype, so everything is in reverse. It would be easy enough to flop the digital image to see the "right" side.

Andrew German

[T.Kern]

Re: proper foot wear

In all the CS cav receipts I have seen, I have only seen one issue of boots after 1861. And comparatively, it was small numbers when hundreds of shoes were being issued. Sure , an officer or anyone can purchase boots but mind you that was if there was source and if they had the money. In 1864 in the south, according to one Virginia newspaper, boots cost 450 while the private was drawing around 12 per month??? There was almost no choice in the south as the war went on. I love all my boots but it seems shoes were being worn.
As for makers, I have/had 6 pairs from Montana boot Co. and 2 or 3 from Serio's Mo. boot. I do not have any of the serio boots anymore, that should say it all.
Todd Kern

[frankstevanus]

Re: proper foot wear

I agree with Todd. Most of the research I have done regarding cavalry foot wear, particularly as the war progressed, uncluded the use of shoes as the most common source of toe cover. I have mostly studied Confederate information, so maybe the Fed's wore the long cow hide. Shoes, however would be your best bet, I think for foot wear and Tom Mattimore makes about the best period shoes I have seen.
Good stuff!

[plankholder]

Re: proper foot wear

not trying to play devil's advocate by any means, just speaking on my experiences. I have been wearing Bob Serio's shoe and boots since '91 and have nothing but praise, he is genuinely a good fella, and a fair bussinessman(everyone has their off days though). I have also worn Bob Land's shoes since '98 and his are great quality, and he too is a pleasure to do bussiness with(or just jaw with!). I have never worn any of Mattimore's goods, but I have looked at them closely and heard nothing but good from their wearers-they seem to be first rate. If you can't buy both, I would definatly buy brogans first, you can always pick up some boots farther down the line. Boots are just rough on the march, your dogs will thank you.-ELI GEERY