CS Issue Hats

[PVTJethro]

I visited a vendor's site recently that offered what i thought was a version of the US Army Hat and they called it a JEFF DAVIS RETRO HAT. It features a red label with a kind of Eagle insignia i believe. And then i saw on Dirty Billy's site that he made a brown version of the Hardee Hat. I've wondered about these for some time. I would like to get some feedback on this if possible. I did'nt think these were that common but i don't know. Thanks Fellas. Clifford Earl Hyde

[Citizen_Soldier]

Greetings,
The high crown "Army Hat" style had been common in citizen usage prior to the late 1850's when it was adapted by the goverment. This is supported by numerous original photographs, genre paintings, and illustrations.

I've often wondered if some of the surviving examples of brown hats of a similar pattern to the Army Hat (thought to be Confederate) are actually just extant civilian hats from the pre-war period.

One source showing a number of these hats in civilian usage, that is generally available through library loan, University Libraries, and book stores online is Joan Severa's Dressed for the Photograher.

Darrek Orwig

[Charles Heath]

Darrek,

To back up what you said, similar hats from the steamboat Arabia are on display at the museum, and in great condition.. I have not handled them, but from a distance they sure do look like a heck of a lot like what you describe. That place is a treasure.

[John Legg]

Guys,

Is this the same style of hat you are talking about?

pg. 69 of Commanders of the Civil War By:William C. Davis

The original hat is in the Virgina historical Society: Richmond, VA


http://i118.photobucket.com/albums/o111/Johnlegg1234/CSissuehat.jpg

Cheers,

John

[DougCooper]

This is the Col Beard hat on display at the Mansfield State Historic Site Museum. Beard was Colonel of the Louisiana Crescent Regiment and was killed at Mansfield, about 15 miles from his home. The hat is very likely an example of the imported British issue hat, many thousands of which were issued via the Houston Depot and satellites.

Tim Bender makes an outstanding copy of this chapeau.

Thanks to Don Smith for the photos.

[PvtHull48thovi]

Well doug I am not sure if we have ever met but my unit the 3rd LA and 48th Ovi is down at Mansfeild quite often and will be down there this weekend. My name is Shelby Hull and MY father is Roland Hull. Our unit commander is Scott Solice. Anyways I will be sure to look at this hat while I am there. But to the post by John Legg, that just looks exactly my Hardee hat except is brown mine is black, same trim and everything.

[John Legg]

Shelby,

The discription says: Grey Felt Officers Hat.


It does look exactly the same as my bender dress hat. Except its brown/grey.
Does anyone else have any info on this hat, or more pictures of others?

Cheers,

John

[sumter_guard]

Here is an image of a California gold miner (probably early 50's) wearing a hat I've always felt looked strangely familiar.

Andrew

[DougCooper]

Shelby,

The discription says: Grey Felt Officers Hat.


It does look exactly the same as my bender dress hat. Except its brown/grey.
Does anyone else have any info on this hat, or more pictures of others?

Cheers,

John

The Beard hat is slightly shorter than the Hardee and there is less "slope" from bottom to top. There is an annotation in the QM notes from the Houston Depot about issuance of these hats - will see if I can find it.

[jhuether]

Came across this pencil drawing by Edwin Forbes in the LOC. It is of 4 Confederate prisoners captured at Woodstock, VA in 1862. The two on the right appear to have a hat very similar to the description. According the the subtext the one on the far right was of Ashby's Cavalry and the soldier to his left was of the 3rd VA Cavalry.

Also notice their appearance. Looks to be 3 civilian style sack coats and 1 civilian frock (just judging from the fall-down collar). And 3 of them are appearently wearing vests. The detail of the drawing is rather nice. You can even see the weave in the far left and second from the right coats (cassimere maybe?).

6120

[PvtHull48thovi]

Well I mean I am not too familiar with researching of hats but Its purty darn close if you ask me. There may be some small differences but Like I said To me its just another hardee hat in another color.(John Leggs post that is) The other hat I will look at this weekend at Mansfeild!

[DougCooper]

Note General Lee's hat, immediately after the surrender.

[lthull3rdla]

I just looked at Tim Benders web site and don't see this hat. Can anyone tell me what he calls it? Maybe I'm just looking at the wrong page. I will be in Mansfield all weekend this weekend and will of course, take a closer look at Beards Hat. If Mr. Bender does indeed make a copy of this hat I simply must have one. And since Shelby is interested, guess I'll have to buy two, like everything else LOL

Ronnie

[Kiev Thomason]

He will make just about any hat you can need or want.I would just ask.I got one made just last month for my dad and it is jam up!

[coastaltrash]

Ronnie,
He just calls it "The Beard Hat"

[lthull3rdla]

Thanks Patrick, I'll be in touch with him
Ronnie

[Slouch]

FYI,

Some years ago the North/South Trader's Civil War featured an article titled "Confederate Issue Slouch Hats". The author examined two original hats that are nearly identical to each other, and used photographs to further document what appears to be a specific style of government issue felt hat. When I get home, I'll dig it out and cite the year, volume, etc.

Regards,

Mike

[Slouch]

as promised, here is the reference on that CS hat article...

North/South Traders Civil War, Vol XVIII, No. 6 (Christmas issue, 1991)

Regards,

Mike