Studio shots:












Confederate or Federal?


 

--Last edited by grumpydave on 2007-03-30 07:14:47 --

Dave,

the last photo "appears" to be Confederate.  It is a great one though for his wedding ring.  I have always been told that wedding rings of the era were worn on the right pinky (bet the photo is inverted).  I have seen tons of photos to support this, but is it correct?  

I've always herd the pinkey was correct. Look at the Picture of the two federals. It looks like th guy with the beard moved the top button on his coat to make it more comfortable.

Here's another wedding ring:

Excellent pic Dave,

I have actually removed my ring to be more authentic.  I couldn't put it on my pinky because it would slide off, but pards of mine have wrapped twine or string behind theirs to where it properly.  

Sometimes it's the little things that get noticed.

Quote :

Ken Cornett wrote :I have always been told that wedding rings of the era were worn on the right pinky (bet the photo is inverted).  I have seen tons of photos to support this, but is it correct?

Ken, I've wondered about this myself. I have a civilian image where the man also has what appears to be a wedding band on his pinky. I've been unable to find any information regarding wedding rings, but it would be a gee wiz type thing to know about.~Gary

Look at that bottom image again. A little closer...yes...that's it...now see something you read about fairly often, but rarely see in period images of reb officers?

Very nice.

Charles,

It looks like he's going for the combo. Rank insignia on his collar and shoulder boards to boot.

Bill wins the Kewpie doll!

For extra credit, post the ubiquitous Peninsular Campaign image of the captured reb officer with shoulders straps (no collar insignia, IIRC), and the date of the CS order prohbiting the wearing of shoulder mounted rank insignia.

Johnny, tell him what he has won!!  

Quote :

Charles Heath wrote : Bill wins the Kewpie doll!

Charles,

And all this time, you thought I was just another pretty face!

Chawls, too easy:



This picture was made near Fair Oaks, Virginia. Lt. James B. Washington, a Confederate prisoner, is shown with George A. Custer (a Captain at the time) of the 5th Cavalry, U.S.A. The picture was made by James Gibson.

Jimmy sure liked his pockets. Check 'em out. In addition to his fashionable garments, take a gander at his footwear. Are those boots or false boots?  Is Jimmy a fop, or a Dapper Dan man? Can he find a better looking hat? Will happy little George have a MOH x 2 brother? What was in that box?

Charles,

I think you may be seeing the straps for Johnny Reb's spurs. I really liked his pocket hankerchief, very stylish. Did you you notice that CPT Custer had no rank on his shoulder straps?

Old George does have rank on his straps. 2nd Lt. if memory serves me.

Also if memory serves me correctly these two were friends before the war as well, West Point classmates perhaps.

Quote :

GrumpyDave wrote : Old George does have rank on his straps. 2nd Lt. if memory serves me.

Dave,

True enough. I was just surprised that Captain Custer would want to be confused as being 2nd. Lieutenant Custer.

A little differen crop, and a slightly better focus.

http://aotw.org/gallery/Images-of-War/fairoaks

These two fellows play a role in the Forbes vs Stephen Ambrose case, as well. Rather than snip segments, the several paragraphs about Washington and Custer's 1859 return to West Point are not too far into the article.

http://hnn.us/articles/738.html

Take a good look at the clearer image. Is that a hat on the ground peeking from behind the box?

Charles,

In this view, you can clearly make out the buckles on both Washington and Custer's spurs. What I want to know is how did those guys get those baggy trousers down into those tight fitting boot tops?  

I think you're right about the hat behind the box. Might be Custer's?

Bill,

Take a second look at that hat on the ground, and see if it looks lighter and is of a coarser material than a federal item would normally be.  James may have his hat on the ground, and is wearing George's hat. Until this round of photo postings, I'd never noticed the object on the ground behind the box.

One of the reasons I think James has false boots is the thin material (check it out) and the way the leather is pulled so tightly to the rear. The second photo really does a good job of showing the buckles on both pairs of boots.

I still like James' jacket. We could have probably fit into it 30 years ago.  

"I still like James' jacket. We could have probably fit into it 30 years ago."

Sad but true.

When we moved, I found the web belt I wore in Viet Nam. I put it around my waist and the ends didn't meet by four inches.