Slouch Hat VS Kepi

[27thNCdrummer]

Pards,
Just to get some conversation going which do like better and think is most authentic for a ANV '62-'63 impression?

[LibertyHallVols]

The question in the poll and the question in the post are different.

The poll asks "which is more authentic?" That is a bit like asking "Which is more authentic for a '57 Chevy... A coupe or convertible?" The answer is, of course, BOTH.

Which do I prefer? Depends on the weather. If it is hot and sunny, a kepi leaves me with a sunburn on my face and ears. Ouch!

Which is more common? That is a question that was not asked.

[27thNCdrummer]

John,
What was more common is what I wanted, but I guess must have written it wrong.

[DougCooper]

Here is a great project for someone with tremendous time on their hands - collate all the known photos of ANV soldiers dating from that time and run the numbers (include POW/dead/live/etc).

Add to that all the known period references to hats and caps among the soldiers, in CSR's, other reports and surviving originals.

Add to that all the comments recorded from the Union side.

Do all that and you may have some idea...and of course have material for that book you have always wanted to write

Running a poll asking the question is only worthwhile if you want the opinions of folks who have mostly not done the above research...which few of us have time for anyway. Said another way: "we don't know." We have opinions, but we don't really know. If by asking the question you want to be comfortable around the rest of us - ask away. If you want to know the real answer, its much harder. That is why PEC is a popular term - we fall back on that lacking anything more specific.

It may help to narrow the sample size and work inside out - start with a specific impression and figure out what they wore, than work outward to a broader impression.

But John's post is as definitive as you can get. Go on a 15 mile march in the July sun. Take both cap and hat. Which is more comfy? Check the research for your impression and if there is no indication either way, wear what works for you.

And if someone comes up and says: "Why are you wearing a kepi? They did not wear those in the ANV 62-63." You respond with your research and then ask them to back up their assertion.

Research, carefully documented, always trumps reenactor opinion...at least in this end of the hobby.

[LibertyHallVols]

John,
What was more common is what I wanted, but I guess must have written it wrong.

In any face-to-face discussion, most communication is non-verbal. On internet fora, we're stuck with the written word. Which is why we have emoticons.

Seriously, though... it leaves us with the old, "I didn't give you the information you wanted, I gave you the information you asked for."

Take Care. Don't sweat it. The hobby is fun, so enjoy it!

[Jim Mayo]

Military Image magazine did a study about 20 years ago. They took pictures of Confederates and determined how many had knapsacks, slouch hats and a few other items I can't remember. People were asking the same questions back then also. That was before the days of computers but I think the same study now would probably yield the same results.

[nick19thind]

Carry both, the slouch hat for marching and fatigue duties and the kepi for drill.

[Dale Beasley]

I think it must have been the same in the war then as in the war now...when drawing gear, I was asked which one I wanted, the booney hat or the cap, I picked the booney hat...I am sure soldiers have not changed much. Mine is only an opinion, there are many on this site with much more knowledge than I would ever dream about.

[Prodical Reb]

To many differnt units to say either way. Certain units a kepi/Mcdowell was more prevalent and others wore slouches. Do your research and decide which you like. I like nick's idea of carry both. The weather I'm sure played a part of the real soldiers descions. Have fun!

[Poor Private]

I have a trunk full of caps/hats. Several factors determines what I wear that weekend. My 2 standbys are a Bowler and Kepi. Kepi for when there is going to be lots of direct sunlight, when it is goin to be over cast I like to wear a Bowler.