Confederate "Hardee" hats?

**Illinois Reb** · 08-27-2007, 11:08 AM

I tried the search function for this, but came up empty handed. If this has been answered before, please point me in the right direction.

I've seen countless photos of Union soldiers wearing Hardee hats during the war, but what of their Confederate counterparts? Did a substantial number of Confederate troops (specifically, any ANV troops from 62-63) wear Hardee style hats? I'm not talking about ones loaded with brass, hat cords, or plumes. I'm simply referring to plain, unadorned Hardee hats. The early militia uniforms of the unit I portray (17th Miss. Inf.) include Hardee hats, but say nothing about these hats being used later on in the war.

Any info on this is greatly appreciated.

Rich Stonikas
Co. D 17th Mississippi Vol. Inf.

***DougCooper*** · 08-27-2007, 11:48 AM

Rich - try this - under search this is the first thing that came up under Confederate and Hardee Hats, a good thread that is still ongoing.

http://www.authentic-campaigner.com/...ht=hardee+hats

**HOG.EYE.MAN** · 08-27-2007, 01:19 PM

Originally Posted by Illinois Reb

Did a substantial number of Confederate troops (specifically, any ANV troops from 62-63) wear Hardee style hats?

If it's just style you're after, I would go with a Spanish crown hat.

**Enfilade** · 08-28-2007, 11:39 PM

Is this what you were looking for? Flat River Guards, 6th NC. This gentleman is wearing a US Army hat with 1833 Infantry insignia.

Mark Berrier
North State Rifles
http://www.northstaterifles.com

**Illinois Reb** · 08-31-2007, 07:50 AM

I figured since there were a great deal of Hardee hats worn by Yanks, a few must have also found their way into Confederate hands. I looked through photos, but had been unable to turn up any Confederates wearing them.

The photo of the Flat River Guards that Mark submitted did help a great deal (thank you!), however that photo may have been taken early in the early war, and I'm still curious as to their use in '62 or '63.

This all originated when one of my pards began thinking of adding a Hardee hat to his impression. Our unit portrays an 1862-'63 ANV impression, and I know that pre-war militia companies in Mississippi wore Hardees (including some companies of the 17th MS when it was frst formed), but was not sure if they would be correct for later in the war. Thus I was not sure how to advise him.

Rich Stonikas
Co. D 17th Mississippi Vol. Inf.

**Secesh** · 08-31-2007, 10:37 AM

There is the famous photo taken at Gettysburg, that back in the day had originally been id'd as "dead from the Iron Brigade", depicting Confederate KIA laid out for burial ( it appears in Frassanito's book)...The reason for the misidentification is that one of the dead Confederates has an old battered Hardee hat partially covering his face. Obviously some Rebs did wear them...Best regards.