Artillery Boots?

[History36]

Hi,

I had this picture restored / colorized. However, as seen in the image, I had the picture zoomed in on the boots. Just curious to ask, based on the overall height & upper contour of the boot, are they artillery style boots? Your thoughts?

Thank you for your time and any input.

 

[RedRover]

Officers purchased their own clothing, and frequently preferred common riding boots. They were not regulation, but for active service for mounted officers particularly served to preserve their trousers, etc. Various patterns employed for the purpose.

General Meade:

General Grant, 1864:

 

[Rhea Cole]

Artillery boots, intended for the mounted drivers, were very popular. Intended for both walking & riding, they were much more comfortable than knee flap high riding boots.

I have never worn footwear as uncomfortable as Jefferson Davis brogans. Not only are the artillery boots comfortable to walk in, the tops keep your pant legs from getting soaked on dewy mornings.

I have noticed that in photos line officers, as opposed to staff, are wearing artillery boots.

Artillery boots are available online from $100 / $300.

 

[RedRover]

Artillery boots, intended for the mounted drivers, were very popular. Intended for both walking & riding, they were much more comfortable than knee flap high riding boots.

I have never worn footwear as uncomfortable as Jefferson Davis brogans. Not only are the artillery boots comfortable to walk in, the tops keep your pant legs from getting soaked on dewy mornings.

The "Jefferson boots" with laces were named after Thomas Jefferson, who wore them as president, eschewing the common shoe buckles. From his presidential portrait:

From 1821:

From 1839:

 

[History36]

Thank you gentleman for taking the time to post your replies, info, and insight - very much appreciated. I've enjoyed learning more about these particular boots and 'thank you' once more for sharing!

 

[Robert Gray]

The "Jefferson boots" with laces were named after Thomas Jefferson, who wore them as president, eschewing the common shoe buckles. From his presidential portrait:

View attachment 490475

From 1821:
View attachment 490477

From 1839:
View attachment 490476

From 1861:

 

[RedRover]

From 1861:

View attachment 490541

Jefferson boots, from an 1847 publication:

The US Army provided enlisted men with shoes like the above designated "bootees." They were regulation for the uniform, however, mounted soldiers could receive boots as part of their uniform clothing allowances:

 

[Pollaco]

I was reading a book about Confederate money. It states in that book a pair of Cavalry boots were costing $500.00 in 1864 (in the South).Did Boots cost that much or was the author adjusting for inflation?

 

[RedRover]

I was reading a book about Confederate money. It states in that book pair of Cavalry boots were costing $500.00 in 1864 (in the South).Did Boots cost that much or was the author adjusting for inflation?

The Confederate dollar depreciated in value markedly during the wartime inflation, magnified by shortages of any kind of manufactured goods.

A Union prisoner noted his nine (US) dollar boots, traded for significantly more in the devalued Confederate dollars:

IN some cases stores that DID have stuff to sell, closed and declined to sell... in part because the Confederate dollar was devaluing at times so quickly, that to sell off the goods, the combination of the blockade and declining money value would prevent restocking... also,

Colonel William Oates, CSA, the attacker of Little Round Top, noted post-war:

 

[Rhea Cole]

The Confederate dollar depreciated in value markedly during the wartime inflation, magnified by shortages of any kind of manufactured goods.

A Union prisoner noted his nine (US) dollar boots, traded for significantly more in the devalued Confederate dollars:

View attachment 490556
View attachment 490555


IN some cases stores that DID have stuff to sell, closed and declined to sell... in part because the Confederate dollar was devaluing at times so quickly, that to sell off the goods, the combination of the blockade and declining money value would prevent restocking... also,

View attachment 490558

Colonel William Oates, CSA, the attacker of Little Round Top, noted post-war:

View attachment 490559

When Bragg's army reoccupied Murfreesboro TN in October 1862 local merchant John Spence recorded the event in his diary. The soldiers had plenty of money & were eager to spend it. However, many of the bills looked like they were a picture snipped out of a news paper. Surrounding the picture was a promise to redeem with something somewhere somehow.

Later, Spence noted that CSA money was not accepted at all. Only green back dollars in circulation.

 

[Pollaco]

When Bragg's army reoccupied Murfreesboro TN in October 1862 local merchant John Spence recorded the event in his diary. The soldiers had plenty of money & were eager to spend it. However, many of the bills looked like they were a picture snipped out of a news paper. Surrounding the picture was a promise to redeem with something somewhere somehow.

Later, Spence noted that CSA money was not accepted at all. Only green back dollars in circulation.

I agree on the poor quality of some of the notes in the first half of the war. They did resemble limp articles snipped from news papers. Limp and no print on the backside. Not not all notes were like this though. Some were of surprisingly good quality. I am puzzled why the Confederate Treasury printed so many variations or varieties. It was like each of the printers was allowed to "do their thing".It must have been quite puzzling to the general population and the merchants. Later when they standardized there were more notes in circulation just less varieties. Sorry for going a little off topic, We were talking about boots not money.

 

[RedRover]

I agree on the poor quality of some of the notes in the first half of the war. They did resemble limp articles snipped from news papers. Limp and no print on the backside. Not not all notes were like this though. Some were of surprisingly good quality. I am puzzled why the Confederate Treasury printed so many variations or varieties. It was like each of the printers was allowed to "do their thing".It must have been quite puzzling to the general population and the merchants. Later when they standardized there were more notes in circulation just less varieties. Sorry for going a little off topic, We were talking about boots not money.

Boots cost money!

Union officers could buy them at will, and had a wide variety to choose from. Confederate officers were constrained as described.

Mosby mentions among his foremost hauls was a Union sutler's stock of cavalry boots:

An Arkansas lady mentioned washing for Union soldiers, and buying a nice pair of patent leather cavalry boots for her husband, then away in CSA service, from a US post sutler for $14.00 (US).

She and her mother had to hide the boots, blankets, etc. stockpiled to supply their Johnny Reb's in the field... Their house was searched a time or two...