Why is the Kepi or forage cap designed liked that?

texaswildcat · #1 07-31-2005, 11:05 PM

I am a Civil War enthusiast, but one item that has constantly harassed me for some time is, why are the kepi or forage caps like that? My girl friend says it looks like someone has sat on them.

gary · #2 08-01-2005, 05:24 AM

Initially it was fashion and we copied them from the French. I've never researched this (Don Trioani the artist could answer it if he were a member here) but I suspect that the forage cap evolved from it.

blue_zouave · #3 08-01-2005, 02:15 PM

The story I heard was that the forage cap was originally a shako, War of 1812 style hat, tall crown with a bill. The crown was supported by a pasteboard or starched cloth insert, which wilted with exposure to moisture. Also could collapse if somebody sat on it.

Also heard that the soldiers thought the insert looked "foolish" and just took it out.

As for the kepi, it's just a little old hat. I don't know the story behind it.

Zou wears a fez, which doesn't keep the sun off any better than a kepi. Would much rather wear a Hardee hat or a slouch hat!

Zou

ole · #4 08-01-2005, 11:26 PM

Heard one about the difference between a kepi and a forage cap: You'll note that the forage cap is taller. Take it by the band, upend it, and you have a pretty good sized bucket for eggs, bread, berries, corn, etc. The kepi couldn't hald anywhere near as much.
Ole

30th_il · #5 08-19-2005, 08:31 AM

In the 30th IL Regtl Hist it says the soldiers were issued forage caps which liked because when you tilted the hat fwd it made the look tough/mean.

texascavcadet · #6 10-17-2005, 05:36 PM

didnt "Stonewall" Jackson wear a forage cap really close to his eyes u could barely see his eyes

Calicoboy · #7 10-17-2005, 06:04 PM

The Iron Brigade wore the Hardee hat. Them d**m black hats as the rebs would say. They make you look really tall and keep the sun off of you. For foraging they cannot be beat. They'll hold three dozen eggs (carefully), ten apples, or a whole chicken. If it's wet it will air condition your head. Best of all, it makes folks shoot high because they don't know where the hat ends and your head begins.

Calicoboy

johan_steele · #8 10-17-2005, 11:38 PM

THe Kepi & Forage Cap were both influenced by French Military fashion w/ the Kepi being used by the French Army well into the 20th Century.

texaswildcat · #9 10-18-2005, 08:45 PM

Thanks a lot for the information, I wear my kepi hat outside and hopefully that trick will work on my neighbor when he comes out with a shotgun and I hide in the weeds!!! (kidding)

texaswildcat · #10 11-12-2005, 07:27 PM

Texascadet, I believe at times, Stonewall did indeed wear his hat rim all the way down to shield himself from the elements