Westover Landing, Va. Col. James H. Childs (standing) with other officers of the 4th Pennsylvania Cavalry

Shouldn't somebody tell him that "hillbilly" hats aren't correct?  

Now those entire units that wear them think its ok.

All of their sack caots look like they're 2 sizes too big. I'm sure his hat looked like his friends on his left at one time. His horse must have stepped on it, more than once...

Did you notice all of the 4 are wearing their sword belts UNDER their coats?

"Quick! Put your coats on! There's a guy with a camera over there!"

Was is just too hot for the boys to wear their coats so, they wore their swords as an indication of rank? Or, were things in the unit just that casual?  

--Last edited by grumpydave on 2007-03-31 14:00:25 --

Grumpy, it's a warm day, and the belt under the coat allows for the coat to be unbuttoned and a little ventilation to happen. You'll learn this some hot day when some old timer explains it to you just prior to the warmth reaching 105 degrees F at the Pa. Broiler Monument.

Take second look at that hat. It just needs a good reblocking. It's a hat. Really it is, and not a piece of dimestore felt molded over a saucepan.

Something I learned during my years in the military. With the exception of George S. Patton, in a combat zone, hardly anybody cares what you wear, or how you wear it. The important thing is do you have the necessary clothing and equipment to do your job. How you drag that clothing and equipment around is pretty much left up to the individual.

My guess is the Gentleman in the floppy hat likes it fine, just the way it is. It sheds water well and keeps the sun out of his eyes. I have seen other Federal officers wearing very simular hats, including General Meade.

As an aside, have any of you been wearing a slouch hat with a turned up brim in the rain and gotten a bath when you bent over?
I have and now all my slouch hats have the front edge of the brim curved down to shed rain water and keep the sun out of my eyes.  

--Last edited by Bill on 2007-04-01 13:09:29 --

Quote :

As an aside, have any of you been wearing a slouch hat with a turned up brim in the rain and gotten a bath when you bent over?

Bill, you are obviously doing something wrong here. That big splash of water is supposed to nail the man in front of you, and not splatter on oneself. Gotta work on this one.    

Hey Now!  Those are my friends from my first reenacting unit many years ago.  This was our so called staff.  I can't remember where we were though.






April Fool's!