high-res of odd image of soldiers by railroad

[robert-m]

Re: high-res of odd image of soldiers by railroad

But whats to say the kiddo sitting down has on a civilian sack coat of some kind. They had somewhat of the same cut as some issued stuff. And there are about 10 different shades of color that when photoed in this manner turn out all the same color.

[OleMissRebel]

Re: high-res of odd image of soldiers by railroad

The forage caps might be the most obvious clue that they were Yanks. I know some Rebs had dark blue forage caps, but I can't imagine they were all that common by late 62.

[robert-m]

Re: high-res of odd image of soldiers by railroad

Well what if the date is wrong and these are some of Jackson's men after leaving Harper's Ferry in 62'?

[David Fox]

Re: high-res of odd image of soldiers by railroad

They're Federals and Federals at the end of (or in the midst of) a significant summer campaign. That'd be my guess. One has been issued a late round of dark blue trousers still in the QM pipeline. The too small light-coloured hat won't last long once in camp and under officer scrutiny. The cap on the sitting figure lacks all style and is just jammed down on his head, probably rendered shapeless under the sun and rain of the recent Richmond Campaign. The Enfields look relatively new and are the most uniform element to the pictures. Accoutred, they may be temporarily detailed RR guards posed by a photogapher down from nearby Washington. They're young, leaned-down, and the shine of enlistment promises, fife and drum, and excited girls waving little flags is all gone. They're probably thinking about Spring of '63 when their enlistment's up and the south end of a plow horse will look pretty darn good. By this stage of the war (say August, 1862) they are disallusioned, have been misused, and are Lee's most stubborn impediment: veteran Union infantry.