Corduroy Pants

[Ken]

Noticed this officer who appears to be wearing a pair of Corduroy Trousers. Appears to be buttons on the leg. Pretty interesting.

[Ross L. Lamoreaux]

Re: Corduroy Pants

Great call Ken. At first glance, the side buttons on the trousers make them appear to be knee breeches or even riding breeches (like jodhpers). You've got a good eye to catch the corduroy material.

[Duff]

Re: Corduroy Pants

Also, the bottons look like they stop at the knee. They don't go above that.

[Nathan Dodds]

Re: Corduroy Pants

Nice view of a neat hat too.......

[Arthur Stone]

Re: Corduroy Pants

Ken,
And a nice pair of boots too boot!

[Carolann Schmitt]

Re: Corduroy Pants

Ken,

Could you post a link to the photo if it is online?

Thanks!

[fedcampaigner]

Re: Corduroy Pants

I don't believe I've ever seen trousers like this in a Civil War era photo. Very interesting. Do you by chance know who this col. is or which unit he is in? Thanks

[Ken]

Re: Corduroy Pants

Ken,

Could you post a link to the photo if it is online?

Thanks!

Carolann,

Here is the link to the site where it can be found

http://lcweb2.loc.gov/pp/cwpquery.html

[Ken]

Re: Corduroy Pants

I don't believe I've ever seen trousers like this in a Civil War era photo. Very interesting. Do you by chance know who this col. is or which unit he is in? Thanks

Looks like H. T. Collis 114th Regiment
Pennsylvania Volunteers

[Dignann]

Re: Corduroy Pants

The photo's title is: Officers of 114th Pa. Infantry in front of Petersburg, August 1864.

The LOC number is: LC-B817-7316

Eric

[John McPherson]

Re: Corduroy Pants

I also found interesting the lacing of the boot on the man sitting to the said officer's left. A forerunner of the Corcoran Jump Boot?

Cool pic; the knee buttons may indicate that the officer is wearing a pair of riding pants drawn from his civilian stash of clothing. I wonder if he had found time for a bit of riding in the morning only to have to ride back to camp and be informed that a picture was to be taken. Perhaps he had forgotten, quickly threw on his uniform coat and kepi (a nice cap, too) to be presentable for the photo.

A terrific photo that just stimulated my imagination!

John McPherson

[SouthernFed]

Re: Corduroy Pants

Great Picture. Did anyone look at his hand seems to also have a ring on his pinky. Am I wrong don't think so? Also the others seems to be carrying Cavalry sabers and again I could be wrong. All in All it is a wonderful picture.

[PieBoy96]

Re: Corduroy Pants

I also see the ring, Ron. Wasn't it was customary for males to wear their wedding band on the pinky finger of their left hand during this era? I read something along those lines many years ago, and this reminded me of it. Or am I way off?

[Stonewall_Greyfox]

Re: Corduroy Pants

Paul,

During this period, it was not only common for men to wear wedding bands on the pinky (left or right), but various types of other rings as well. Those including, but not being limited to school rings, fraternal rings & family rings.

Paul B. Boulden Jr.

RAH VA MIL '04

[Dan Munson]

Re: Corduroy Pants

Yes indeed, a very interesting photo! As fascinating as many of the uniform details are in this pic, it is also interesting that these are Zouave officers, from a regiment whose enlisted men were still sporting the full Zouave look (including fancy braided jackets and baggy red pants) in the summer of 1864. At the time of this photo, the 114th was assigned to the AoP Provost Guard and was doing duty at City Point. A number of photos of the companies of the 114th from this time period also exist. In those photos, the company officers are in trousers much like those of the officers flanking Col. Collis.