Federal Camp

[A. Roy]

Is it an optical illusion, or does the man in the foreground center appear to have a pair of rifle stocks protruding from behind him?

Probably just a coincidence -- unless the photographer was playing a little trick, making this perhaps the first example of 'rabbit ears' in a photo!
R

 

[Dan Scharp]

Probably just a coincidence -- unless the photographer was playing a little trick, making this perhaps the first example of 'rabbit ears' in a photo!
R

Photo bombing probably had a whole different meaning in those days too!
But seriously, I thought the figure in the middle looked very Hollywood with his long coat, vest, top hat and double rifles slung on his back - what an awesome photo at any rate!

 

[Dan Scharp]

I wondered about those too - it's possible they're for some reason simply stuck in the ground with their fixed bayonets. As for the soldier's ethnicity, I think he's merely a very dirty and smoke- or soot-stained fellow.

Welcome to the forums!

Yep. You're probably right. I just thought he looked like a pretty-cool, ready-for-action, mercenary...
I guess the writer in me sees more than what's there sometimes!! Either way, I absolutely love this photo! Thanks for the reply too!

 

[James N.]

Photo bombing probably had a whole different meaning in those days too!
But seriously, I thought the figure in the middle looked very Hollywood with his long coat, vest, top hat and double rifles slung on his back - what an awesome photo at any rate!

Not really - probably my favorite period example of that very thing is this familiar photo, supposedly showing President Lincoln, General McClellan, and his subordinate commanders and members of his staff in Oct., 1862 following Antietam. HOWEVER, at far right and having absolutely no real excuse for being included in the photo is a very young twentysomething CAPTAIN George Custer, then only serving as a lowly aide-de-camp and some time before becoming the darling of the press. (Note how he's apart from the others, casually leaning against the tent flap as though he's just sidled into the picture.) Due to the very large number of photos of George, I like to refer to him as someone who "never met a camera he didn't like."

 

[Dan Scharp]

View attachment 428167

Not really - probably my favorite period example of that very thing is this familiar photo, supposedly showing President Lincoln, General McClellan, and his subordinate commanders and members of his staff in Oct., 1862 following Antietam. HOWEVER, at far right and having absolutely no real excuse for being included in the photo is a very young twentysomething CAPTAIN George Custer, then only serving as a lowly aide-de-camp and sometime before becoming the darling of the press. (Note how he's apart from the others, casually leaning against the tent flap as though he's just sidled into the picture.) Due to the very large number of photos of George, I like to refer to him as someone who "never met a camera he didn't like."

Well done!! Touché!! Thank you! I absolutely love this photo. If only they knew in '62 what they knew in '65... Sad, but wonderful photo.

 

[Lewis214]

Is it an optical illusion, or does the man in the foreground center appear to have a pair of rifle stocks protruding from behind him? Possibly African American too? Just wondering.

The only thing that I could figure is somehow they are being used as an upright for the ridgepole holding up the shelter on the line to the left.

 

[Dan Scharp]

The only thing that I could figure is somehow they are being used as an upright for the ridgepole holding up the shelter on the line to the left.

That's a very interesting proposition. I didn't think of that. What struck me odd, is why would anyone want to muck up his musket by shoving it, even if only bayonet-deep, into the muddy ground. That's why I thought that maybe he was carrying a couple of rifles on his back, but I have to admit, that would be more Hollywood than reality. If only we could move over about 10 feet to the right or the left, then the mystery would be over!

 

[Dan Scharp]

That's a very interesting proposition. I didn't think of that. What struck me odd, is why would anyone want to muck up his musket by shoving it, even if only bayonet-deep, into the muddy ground. That's why I thought that maybe he was carrying a couple of rifles on his back, but I have to admit, that would be more Hollywood than reality. If only we could move over about 10 feet to the right or the left, then the mystery would be over!

You're probably right, though. Seems like a not-so-great idea, but what's worse, having to clean out a couple of rifle barrels or not being able to keep relatively dry?

 

[Lewis214]

The more I look at it, it wouldn't make sense for them to be used as uprights. Look at all the scrap wood laying around.. They're just leaning up against it bayonet down. Photographer would prolly be laughing at us today this out.

 

[Dan Scharp]

The more I look at it, it wouldn't make sense for them to be used as uprights. Look at all the scrap wood laying around.. They're just leaning up against it bayonet down. Photographer would prolly be laughing at us today this out.

Okay, I can see that now too! Still no way for a soldier to treat his weapon, but, oh well. Boys will be boys!!

 

[A. Roy]

I've been told by reenactor acquaintances that soldiers sometimes used their muskets that way, if there weren't enough poles available, or trees to tie off to.

R

 

[toot]

View attachment 428167

Not really - probably my favorite period example of that very thing is this familiar photo, supposedly showing President Lincoln, General McClellan, and his subordinate commanders and members of his staff in Oct., 1862 following Antietam. HOWEVER, at far right and having absolutely no real excuse for being included in the photo is a very young twentysomething CAPTAIN George Custer, then only serving as a lowly aide-de-camp and some time before becoming the darling of the press. (Note how he's apart from the others, casually leaning against the tent flap as though he's just sidled into the picture.) Due to the very large number of photos of George, I like to refer to him as someone who "never met a camera he didn't like."

you are so right!

 

[Dan Scharp]

I've been told by reenactor acquaintances that soldiers sometimes used their muskets that way, if there weren't enough poles available, or trees to tie off to.

R

I believe it. Carrying around poles was probably a bigger hassle than cleaning a little mud out of a musket barrel. In the posted image, though, I thought that these guys were or had been encamped for a longer duration. One would think that it would be more logical to grab some scrap wood (seems to be some laying around in the area). I could see using the muskets as makeshift tent poles temporarily. Maybe these guys just showed up and didn't feel like taking any more time than was necessary to get something erected to keep the frost off.
I also love all the "ghosts" in the background. There is so much to see by what is not seen in these old photos. The guy lying on his side is a very cool detail - was sitting up, maybe heard a photo was being taken, and quickly got rid of the blanket and struck a pose. I love it!

 

[James N.]

That's a very interesting proposition. I didn't think of that. What struck me odd, is why would anyone want to muck up his musket by shoving it, even if only bayonet-deep, into the muddy ground. That's why I thought that maybe he was carrying a couple of rifles on his back, but I have to admit, that would be more Hollywood than reality. If only we could move over about 10 feet to the right or the left, then the mystery would be over!

That is actually one of the prescribed ways a pair of soldiers or "pards" were supposed to pitch their shelter or dog tents: Their rifles were positioned like that but six feet apart; a rope was strung between the trigger guards; the two canvas shelter halves were buttoned together and thrown across the rope, one hanging down on each side; the four corners were pegged down; one man's rubberized ground cloth was spread on the ground beneath the tent, rubber side down; both men rolled up in their blankets and laid down on the cloth, usually using their knapsacks or haversacks as "pillows"; the second rubber blanket was spread atop them, rubber side up. It wouldn't keep them dry in a heavy rain but was good in less severe situations.

 

[toot]

I believe it. Carrying around poles was probably a bigger hassle than cleaning a little mud out of a musket barrel. In the posted image, though, I thought that these guys were or had been encamped for a longer duration. One would think that it would be more logical to grab some scrap wood (seems to be some laying around in the area). I could see using the muskets as makeshift tent poles temporarily. Maybe these guys just showed up and didn't feel like taking any more time than was necessary to get something erected to keep the frost off.
I also love all the "ghosts" in the background. There is so much to see by what is not seen in these old photos. The guy lying on his side is a very cool detail - was sitting up, maybe heard a photo was being taken, and quickly got rid of the blanket and struck a pose. I love it!

View attachment 428242

when they are stacked muzzle in the ground at a given distance, they are perfect to lay / run a ridge pole between them, and pull over your tent & stake it down, & VIOLA! there you have it. as stated no looking around for wood scraps.