Why is the Kepi or forage cap designed liked that?

[Capt Coxetter]

The kepi is kind of like the baseball cap: a snappy, comfortable little piece that's about totally useless against rain, sun, or cold!

Capt. Coxetter

[Rad2duhbone53]

The Kepi or forage cap was used like they said before... to forage for food while out in the woods. It has been said that when under the blistering heat and humidity the soldier would put a wet cloth or leaves in the top of the hat to keep the soldier cool.



Radman

[texascavcadet]

I actually did soak the inside of my kepi when it was really hot at a Louisana Reenactment. But I can see where the forage cap would have come in alot easier.

But if all else failed I bet they took a stove pipe hat and used that to the best.

[VS on the belt plate]

This is an ancient thread...but thought I'd add to it. I dont believe a photo exist of Jackson with a hat on. Contemporary and modern portraits of Mighty Stonewall sometime show him wearing his VMI forage cap. HOW he wore it is not known...but doesnt it sit on your brow anyway?

It is known that he was wearing a "felt hat" when wounded at Chancellorsville. His VMI forage cap is in Richmond today at the MOC.

I do not believe there is any agreement on how many kepis and/or forage caps were worn by rank and file ANV Confederates. If you look at photos of CS prisoners taken in 1864 you actually see some dark forage caps(!) ,and everything else,some kepis included. This was late in the war and proves there were exceptions to the legendary 'slouch' hat.

The kepi WAS prevelant in the Army of the Potomac...with the mighty Iron Brigade excepted.

VS...etc