At a small living history this weekend, I was talking with some spectators and after the usual "you must be hot" question, the topic of clothing and how often do you get to change your uniform or bathe came up.

After I went through the talk about getting new clothes when stuff wore out and how most units might smell after coming off campaign, someone said "the soldiers probably didn't bathe that often."  And the first thing I thought of was the photo of the soldiers in the North Anna river bathing or swimming.  I wasn't able to find it on the LOC page. So I don't know if there is a high resolution copy of it somewhere..



As we get into the months with warm weather events, I think sometimes it might be nice to reenact this event in the photo..

I remember when the Rowdy Pards did the 140th anniversery of Taps at Harrisons Landing a few fellows did do just that in the James River and it was one hot event.

Greg,

Over the years, I've been able to go in for a "dip" at a number of events, both with and without garments. Frankly, the sight of my naked body insures all the privacy anyone might desire!  

Soldiers being soldiers, it's my guess Civil War soldiers bathed at every opportunity during good weather. There just weren't many opportuntities!

I love the stories of the guys "borrowing" cook pots to boil their shirts. Sure must have made the soup taste funny!  

Boiling your shirts in cook pots gives you a couple of benifits.  1-kills the varmints inhabiting the shirts, 2- provides a nice protein soup base.

I find it nice to see the boys using the soap and towels they were either issued or bought from the sutler (not the skinner row variety) at later events for just this purpose. The North Anna River used to have some nice fish in it, and the temperature in the summer is just right. Just remember to portage around "the falls."

I remember one source from the Seven Years War (wish I had the exact cite but I don't) saying that you could smell a battalion of Prussian infantry a half hour after they'd marched by.

Amos told me later that the James was kind of slimy at Berkeley, and 300 years of broken bottles made it a good idea to have your brogans on whilst wading.

The Shenandoah in '62 was pretty freakin' close to heaven, though.  

It occurs to me that here we find one more argument in favor of the non-spectator-oriented event that has as much to do with comfort as authenticity.  Sure is nice to be able to wash up without worrying about stray citizens, or ladies in track suits on the neighboring company street.

Yep, and somewhere floating around the 'Net you'll find several of the sweetest photographs of young ladies (from their teens to well past 50 years) in period swimsuits in the Des Moines River, courtesy of the last fairly good sized Athens, MO, event.

I could use one of those rivers right now. Its too hot!! This 100degree weather is for the birds!  Thankfully it will be in the 70s this weekend for an event!!  

I was going to comment earlier, but then thought I shouldnt... saying something about wishing I were in that picture... simply doesnt sound right!!