The Army of Robert E. Lee Katcher

[matthew mckeon]

I found this on my bookshelf while I was cleaning my office the other day. Has anyone else read it?

The Army of Robert E. Lee by Philip Katcher

Its a reference work about the ANV, about 12 years old. I read it a long time ago. It seems like it would be an excellent reference book for the re enactor. It has a careful and minute description of the uniforms, weapons and equipment of the soldiers of the ANV. Most usefully, how they evolved over time. I'm not an expert, or even a student of this stuff, but it seems to be very well researched. For example, there is a description of all the different kinds of footwear the ANV had, from captured Union issue, to CS manufactured issue, to imported British shoes, when they were issued to the troops and even what they considered fashionable! (there was a fad for dying their shoes red for a time).
Also stuff about food, and a list of all the regiments, general officers and lots of other stuff.

[samgrant]

So is it true that the Union soldiers had left and right footed shoes while the Rebs had the same shoe for each foot?

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[matthew mckeon]

According to this guy, no. The shoe sources include captured Union shoes, British shoes and Confederate manufactured shoes, all with left, right sides.

[johan_steele]

Originally Posted by samgrant

So is it true that the Union soldiers had left and right footed shoes while the Rebs had the same shoe for each foot?

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Yes & no, it depended entirely when & where shoes were acquired from. Left & right shoes were a pretty new idea, added slightly to the cost but caught on very quickly. I don't believe one foot shoes were available anywhere after the CW.

[samgrant]

Thanks Shane, Just wonder if Heth might a had a hankerin fo some o them newfangled lef, rite shoes!