CS hinged wooden sole canvas shoe

[paulcalloway]

CS hinged wooden sole canvas shoe - unique construction with leather under break in sole to provide a "hinge" mechanism. Possible Charleston Depot origins. Collection owner wishes to remain anonymous.

Photos submitted by Thomas M. Rose
No photographs can be reproduced without permission and are intended for education only.

[markj]

CS hinged wooden sole canvas shoe - unique construction with leather under break in sole to provide a "hinge" mechanism. Possible Charleston Depot origins. Collection owner wishes to remain anonymous.

Photos submitted by Thomas M. Rose
No photographs can be reproduced without permission and are intended for education only.

These should be placed as Exhibit Numero Uno in "Dr. Scholl's Museum of Shoe Horrors."

Yours, &c.,

Mark Jaeger

[Yellowhammer]

In his book "Huntsville to Appomattox", Lt. Robert T. Coles of the 4th Alabama details an incident related to wooden soled shoes.

In 1864 (this is from memory so forgive if some of the details aren't exact), the regiment was crossing a creek with steep banks. As the column crossed, the far bank became increasingly slipperly from the splashing water and crossing of men. A young soldier, a new replacement apparently, was equipped by the CS QM with wooden soled shoes and was unable to get any traction and couldn't get up the far bank. As he tried repeatedly, the old veterans laughed at him until he broke down and cried. (Which I'm sure created still more laughter and cat calls.)

In any case, Coles recalls that he was back in his place in line when they went into battle that day and was killed in action standing bravely at his place. According to Coles, all the men felt a deep sorrow for having laughed at the boy whose only shortcoming as a soldier was his footware.

[JKfifer119]

CS hinged wooden sole canvas shoe - unique construction with leather under break in sole to provide a "hinge" mechanism. Possible Charleston Depot origins. Collection owner wishes to remain anonymous.

Photos submitted by Thomas M. Rose
No photographs can be reproduced without permission and are intended for education only.

Saw a shoe sort of like this in the collection at the Daughters of the Confederacy Museum in Charleston. I thought then as I do now,darn that must hurt.. but it is something I would never have thought of ..necessity is the mother of invention


respectfully
Joe Korber

[Iron Scout]

Gents,

Now I'd like to see someone try to make a pair! Who's interested? I hope everyone enjoys the pics and thanks to Paul for scanning and posting them.

Neill Rose
PLHA

[tmattimore]

Paul
Thanks for the great photos. I have only read of this type of shoe and then only a few too brief words. There was a C.S. patent issued for a hinged wooden sole and this may be the one. I have a question is there a leather insole? I suspect that the shoe is constructed in the normal manner over a leather insole and on a last and the out sole riveted with a sharp pointed nail on an Iron last or jack causing the nail to turn back on itself with no point sticking into the foot. In one of the photo's I believe you can see one of the nails in the heel on the inside. Of note is the similarity of the upper to the ubiquitious "camp shoe" but the shortage of leather is apparent in the lack of facings on the rim of the upper, lack of a back strap and small toe fox.