Slouch Hat VS Kepi

[27thNCdrummer]

Pards,
Just to get some conversation going which do like better and think is most authentic for a ANV '62-'63 impression?

[LibertyHallVols]

Re: Slouch Hat VS Kepi

The question in the poll and the question in the post are different.

The poll asks "which is more authentic?" That is a bit like asking "Which is more authentic for a '57 Chevy... A coupe or convertible?" The answer is, of course, BOTH.

Which do I prefer? Depends on the weather. If it is hot and sunny, a kepi leaves me with a sunburn on my face and ears. Ouch!

Which is more common? That is a question that was not asked.

[27thNCdrummer]

Re: Slouch Hat VS Kepi

John,
What was more common is what I wanted, but I guess must have written it wrong.

[DougCooper]

Re: Slouch Hat VS Kepi

Here is a great project for someone with tremendous time on their hands - collate all the known photos of ANV soldiers dating from that time and run the numbers (include POW/dead/live/etc).

Add to that all the known period references to hats and caps among the soldiers, in CSR's, other reports and surviving originals.

Add to that all the comments recorded from the Union side.

Do all that and you may have some idea...and of course have material for that book you have always wanted to write :D

Running a poll asking the question is only worthwhile if you want the opinions of folks who have mostly not done the above research...which few of us have time for anyway. Said another way: "we don't know." We have opinions, but we don't really know. If by asking the question you want to be comfortable around the rest of us - ask away. If you want to know the real answer, its much harder. That is why PEC is a popular term - we fall back on that lacking anything more specific.

It may help to narrow the sample size and work inside out - start with a specific impression and figure out what they wore, than work outward to a broader impression.

But John's post is as definitive as you can get. Go on a 15 mile march in the July sun. Take both cap and hat. Which is more comfy? Check the research for your impression and if there is no indication either way, wear what works for you.

And if someone comes up and says: "Why are you wearing a kepi? They did not wear those in the ANV 62-63." You respond with your research and then ask them to back up their assertion.

Research, carefully documented, always trumps reenactor opinion...at least in this end of the hobby.

[LibertyHallVols]

Re: Slouch Hat VS Kepi

John,
What was more common is what I wanted, but I guess must have written it wrong.

In any face-to-face discussion, most communication is non-verbal. On internet fora, we're stuck with the written word. Which is why we have emoticons. :confused_ :tounge_sm

Seriously, though... it leaves us with the old, "I didn't give you the information you wanted, I gave you the information you asked for."

Take Care. Don't sweat it. The hobby is fun, so enjoy it!

[Jim Mayo]

Re: Slouch Hat VS Kepi

Military Image magazine did a study about 20 years ago. They took pictures of Confederates and determined how many had knapsacks, slouch hats and a few other items I can't remember. People were asking the same questions back then also. That was before the days of computers but I think the same study now would probably yield the same results.

[nick19thind]

Re: Slouch Hat VS Kepi

Carry both, the slouch hat for marching and fatigue duties and the kepi for drill.

[Dale Beasley]

Re: Slouch Hat VS Kepi

I think it must have been the same in the war then as in the war now...when drawing gear, I was asked which one I wanted, the booney hat or the cap, I picked the booney hat...I am sure soldiers have not changed much. Mine is only an opinion, there are many on this site with much more knowledge than I would ever dream about.

[Prodical Reb]

Re: Slouch Hat VS Kepi

To many differnt units to say either way. Certain units a kepi/Mcdowell was more prevalent and others wore slouches. Do your research and decide which you like. I like nick's idea of carry both. The weather I'm sure played a part of the real soldiers descions. Have fun!

[Poor Private]

Re: Slouch Hat VS Kepi

I have a trunk full of caps/hats. Several factors determines what I wear that weekend. My 2 standbys are a Bowler and Kepi. Kepi for when there is going to be lots of direct sunlight, when it is goin to be over cast I like to wear a Bowler.

[Jim Mayo]

Re: Slouch Hat VS Kepi

From letters written home by John Beaton, Company G, 9th Va. Inf.

"If you can conveniently get a black slouch hat, and send me, I would like it very much, these little caps are anything else but comfortable in rain or snowy weather the water runs down my neck and feels, not very pleasant"

I don't think many Confederates had the luxury of having a cap and a hat.

[Craig L Barry]

Re: Slouch Hat VS Kepi

Question:
Were slouch hats an issue item? As Jim Mayo points out, I was under the impression that what we would term "slouch hats" were not requisitioned but soldiers got those on their own or from home. At least there is some period documentation in the form of letters home (like that one) asking for them to send a broad brimmed hat.

[Parault]

Re: Slouch Hat VS Kepi

This is my personal opinion and preference, but here in this part of the country the slouch hat is perferred simply because it serves multiple purposes. Shade, umbrella, and keeping your head somewhat warm. I have several Kepis, one blue,one jeanwool, one graywool. I find it difficult to wear my kepi very often cause I burn very easy. I always forget to pack sunscreen. I have a book that is one of those coffetable versions of big books. It is called 4000 photographs of the Civil War. In this book I was very surprised to see multiple pictures of slouch hats both ANV and Federal. Just to change the subject a little. I did notice that the Federals under the command of Gen Sherman, had photographs showing the soldiers that had on Slouch hats. I know that there are others that know more than me on this subject,but, I was very surprised at the number of Federals that had Slouch hats.

[Canebrake Rifle Guards]

Re: Slouch Hat VS Kepi

There's record of the State of Alabama issuing 10,000 black slouch hats to its troops. I believe the reference can be found in Todd's Military Equipage, the States edition.

Greg Starbuck

[Craig L Barry]

Re: Slouch Hat VS Kepi

I suppose the various Confederate states then varied on the practice of issuance? Makes sense. By the way I have that same 4000 pictures enormous CW coffee table book and peruse it fairly often. Columbia Rifles Research Compendium 2nd Edition (Watchdog 2007) has a chapter on slouch hats in the AoP, which were not a quartermaster issued head covering.

Personal preference, but I like a good forage cap for the looks of it.