Awful hat.

[FranklinGuardsNYSM]

This has got to be the worst hat I've ever seen. Among a group of late-war Federal engineers:

http://www.myrtle-avenue.com/worsthat.jpg

[DougCooper]

Looks alot like one in CS Echoes of Glory - pg 168. What it lacks in style it no doubt makes up for in comfort and shadown casting :) This has got to be the worst hat I've ever seen. Among a group of late-war Federal engineers:

http://www.myrtle-avenue.com/worsthat.jpg

[13thnhv]

The face looks like one of them women in the ranks. And a homely one at that. Could be why (s)he was partial to the style?

[hireddutchcutthroat]

Proof that nerds are not a modern invention. :tounge_sm

[high_private78]

In all honesty.. it looks as though it is a farmer beehive with the brim rolled down....

Cheers,
Jason Reasor

[markj]

And the source for this photo is.....?

Regards,

Mark Jaeger

[ThehosGendar]

I'll see you and raise you twenty.

http://www.3nj.org/insanestraw.jpg

(Petersburg, Va. Company A, U.S. Engineer Battalion, LC-B817- 7062 <P&P>)

Ahhh, the Engineers at Petersburg. A haven for insane chapeaux.

[FranklinGuardsNYSM]

Mark -

Sorry for not posting this before, it's LC-B817- 7054 from the LOC.

Jason R -

I don't believe so, as Mr. Heath pointed out to me, you can make out the "memory line" where the crown was previously creased so as to be indented. This hat doesn't look like it started life as a beehive.

[Stateline]

[QUOTE=Thehos Gendar]I'll see you and raise you twenty.

You gotta love those sideburns.

George Eason/Stateline boys

[markj]

I'll see you and raise you twenty.

http://www.3nj.org/insanestraw.jpg

(Petersburg, Va. Company A, U.S. Engineer Battalion, LC-B817- 7062 <P&P>)

Ahhh, the Engineers at Petersburg. A haven for insane chapeaux.

I find it amazing that the wearer of the straw hat was able to maintain a straight face during the time needed to make the exposure.....

Yours, &c.,

Mark Jaeger

[FranklinGuardsNYSM]

Perhaps he was able to, but one of his Company D comrades looks as if he didn't want to be seen with such a wacky bunch:

http://www.myrtle-avenue.com/camerashy.jpg :D

[hireddutchcutthroat]

I'll see you and raise you twenty.

http://www.3nj.org/insanestraw.jpg

(Petersburg, Va. Company A, U.S. Engineer Battalion, LC-B817- 7062 <P&P>)

Ahhh, the Engineers at Petersburg. A haven for insane chapeaux.

Ill call. The original farb.

[markj]

Ill call. The original farb.

Actually, all mirth aside, he can't be a "farb" because he actually participated in the war.

There's a famous story about famed actor/comedian Charlie Chaplin entering a "Charlie Chaplin Look-a-Like Contest" as a joke...and placing THIRD. I expect the same thing might happen to a real CW soldier were he to come back today: "reality can never compete with fantasy."

Regards,

Mark Jaeger

[DougCooper]

Bob - is the a chance that fed just might be wearing an altered/worn Whipple hat? Is this a New Hampshire unit photo?