Barefoot ladies?

[PrivateBrooke]

I highly doubt one would need to worry much about snakes in camp! Insects might be an issue. I'm barefoot outside almost daily, so I wouldn't worry much, but if you're not used to it, might be an issue.

 

[Belle Montgomery]

I highly doubt one would need to worry much about snakes in camp! Insects might be an issue. I'm barefoot outside almost daily, so I wouldn't worry much, but if you're not used to it, might be an issue.

Oh but you're supposed to be "authentic" as possible...wear a rubber snake attached to the ankle of your dirty boot.

 

[PrivateBrooke]

Oh but you're supposed to be "authentic" as possible...wear a rubber snake attached to the ankle of your dirty boot.

Am I at the field hospital awaiting amputation of my leg then?!

 

[Belle Montgomery]

Am I at the field hospital awaiting amputation of my leg then?!

I don't know, you tell me. I thought you were a "farmgirl" walking about so then I'm guessing you're either one of those camp followers (goodness...I hope not one of those women of questionable morals!) LOL or a wife of or even looking to find a husband in the soldier's camp.

 

[Southern Unionist]

Being that there was no germ theory back then that's understandable. One can pick up pathogens from the soil...especially where there is a lot of animal manure around.

Name one condition that you could catch that way, other than the one I mentioned.

Modern urban legends on this subject abound.

 

[PrivateBrooke]

I don't know, you tell me. I thought you were a "farmgirl" walking about so then I'm guessing you're either one of those camp followers (goodness...I hope not one of those women of questionable morals!) LOL or a wife of or even looking to find a husband in the soldier's camp.

Well now, I'd be looking for a husband, or visiting my sweat heart.

 

[grace]

*is all of a sudden not liking the fact that barefoot is the norm. O.o.

After a full day yesterday of being out in the sun, in full kit...yay hand me down shoes and a Sunday dress to be with my sweetheart! I don't think I could take the energy that I would need to deal with bare feet on top of the sun, a corset, hoops and all the other things...

 

[Eleanor Rose]

The world's oldest existing running shoe looked rather fancy with smooth black leather and a stacked heel. The spikes (intended to help with traction) emerging from the sole give away the purpose. According to the Smithsonian Magazine, the pictured shoe dates back to the early 1860s and represents the beginning of our obsession with sneakers.

 

[Belle Montgomery]

Name one condition that you could catch that way, other than the one I mentioned.

 

[Belle Montgomery]

@Southern Unionist

Soil-transmitted helminth infection is found mainly in areas with warm and moist climates (the South) where sanitation and hygiene are poor … which it was in some places during the war.
An estimated 604-795 million people in the world are infected with whipworm. Whipworm, hookworm, and Ascaris are known as soil-transmitted helminths (parasitic worms). Together, they account for a major burden of disease worldwide.
According to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, animal droppings can contribute to diseases animals can pass to humans, called zoonoses. When infected feces are deposited on the soil, the eggs of certain roundworms and other parasites can linger in your soil for years. Anyone who comes into contact with that soil—be it through gardening, playing outdoors, walking barefoot or any other means—runs the risk of coming into contact with those eggs. Infected soil could also harbor Cryptosporidium, Giardia, Salmonella, as well as hookworms, ringworms and tapeworms.

Whipworm, hookworm, and Ascaris are known as soil-transmitted helminths (parasitic worms). Together, they account for a major burden of disease worldwide​

• • approximately 807-1,121 million with Ascaris
  • approximately 604-795 million with whipworm
  • approximately 576-740 million with hookworm

Whipworms live in the large intestine and whipworm eggs are passed in the feces of infected persons. If the infected person defecates outside (near bushes, in a garden, or field) are deposited in the soil. They can then mature into a form that is infective. Whipworm infection is caused by ingesting eggs. This can happen when hands or fingers that have contaminated dirt on them are put in the mouth. Lots of outdoor defecation and backyard chicken coops back in rural Civil War days.
People infected with whipworm can suffer light or heavy infections. People with light infections usually have no symptoms, hence many folks in the old days (maybe even today) walking around not knowing. People with heavy symptoms can experience frequent, painful passage of stool that contains a mixture of mucus, water, and blood... also symptoms of the notorious dysentery. Rectal prolapse can also occur. Children with heavy infections can become severely anemic and growth-retarded. Whipworm infections are treatable with prescription medication which they didn't have back then. Heavy infections also can cause a range of health problems, including abdominal pain, diarrhea, blood and protein loss...which couldn't have been diagnosed in the 1860's.
Hookworm is a parasite that is found in animal feces. Hmmm...lots of animals where it's rural, especially back then. It enters the skin by burrowing under the surface when it comes into contact with the feet. You can step on a hookworm in the sandbox, dirt or grass.
Between 1860 and 1864 the average American citizen would live for 40.5 years.
Granted we have just about gotten rid of some of these in the US in modern times because of modern medicine , however not so much worldwide, so many people today in the US advocate going barefoot.
Heck I don't mind going barefoot myself sometimes...but I do refrain from doing it in my horse pasture and the area where my dogs do their business for the other obvious reasons! I also spend a lot of money on wormers too!​

 

[Belle Montgomery]

Well now, I'd be looking for a husband, or visiting my sweat heart.

You go girl...no shoes and all...less to take off after you find the right one!

 

[7th Mississippi Infantry]

less to take off after you find the right one!

 

[PrivateBrooke]

You go girl...no shoes and all...less to take off after you find the right one!

Exactly, there's so much to take off as is, why add more if you don't have to? Though I do promise to keep my shoes on at the ball. Bare feet are not befitting of a proper lady in a fancy gown.

 

[7th Mississippi Infantry]

According to the Smithsonian Magazine, the pictured shoe dates back to the early 1860s and represents the beginning of our obsession with sneakers.

And the whole time I was thinking it was the first of ladie's golf shoes.

 

[PrivateBrooke]

That does not appear like comfortable shoe for running.

 

[Brendan]

I recently stumbled across this interesting passage (from the Gettysburg Campaign) in the journal of Virginia Confederate John Dooley:

"FEMININE FASHIONS IN CHAMBERSBURG [PA]: I was not a little surprised to see on the muddy road a nicely dressed young girl without shoes or stockings on her feet; and her companion, evidently a menial, likewise bare foot, being distinguished however from her young mistress by the size and uncleanliness of her feet. Here any where may be seen young ladies in silks padding along the pavement without shoes or stockings. Such sights are worthy of note as manifesting one of the peculiar customs of this race of people, if indeed it be not a peculiarity arising from the war."

John Dooley, Confederate soldier, his war journal / edited by Joseph T. Durkin, S. J. Foreword by Douglas Southall Freeman

There's a lot to unpackage here! We see another instance of the racialization of the opposite side in the Civil War; that he's talking about Yankees as a race is fascinating in itself, though not entirely surprising. There's a insight into class distinctions being reflected upon here as well, I assume that by using the phrasing "ladies in silks" he's making an assumption that (unless it's a temporary difficult caused by the war), these women are not poor, and are therefore probably not barefoot by circumstance, but by choice. His surprise (and condescension?) over this seems telling; presumably, a Virginian lady of means would never be caught strolling about the streets shoeless. But maybe I'm misinterpreting.

 

[Northern Light]

Huh. It is an excellent question! ( and so funny, @Belle Montgomery , shades ( sorry ) of Carol Burnette.. ).

View attachment 194165

Only guesses here, hoping to find something in the usual sources

That had to be done, JPK. You saved me by doing it first!

 

[Northern Light]

I recently stumbled across this interesting passage (from the Gettysburg Campaign) in the journal of Virginia Confederate John Dooley:

presumably, a Virginian lady of means would never be caught strolling about the streets shoeless. But maybe I'm misinterpreting.

Bet she wished she could though!

 

[byron ed]

...would ladies trotting about barefoot have been a common sight? I'd imagine you'd have seen many poorer ladies in dresses all but falling off their person and barefoot...

All too exciting. What are you trying to do to us fellas here?

 

[PrivateBrooke]

I recently stumbled across this interesting passage (from the Gettysburg Campaign) in the journal of Virginia Confederate John Dooley:

"FEMININE FASHIONS IN CHAMBERSBURG [PA]: I was not a little surprised to see on the muddy road a nicely dressed young girl without shoes or stockings on her feet; and her companion, evidently a menial, likewise bare foot, being distinguished however from her young mistress by the size and uncleanliness of her feet. Here any where may be seen young ladies in silks padding along the pavement without shoes or stockings. Such sights are worthy of note as manifesting one of the peculiar customs of this race of people, if indeed it be not a peculiarity arising from the war."

John Dooley, Confederate soldier, his war journal / edited by Joseph T. Durkin, S. J. Foreword by Douglas Southall Freeman

There's a lot to unpackage here! We see another instance of the racialization of the opposite side in the Civil War; that he's talking about Yankees as a race is fascinating in itself, though not entirely surprising. There's a insight into class distinctions being reflected upon here as well, I assume that by using the phrasing "ladies in silks" he's making an assumption that (unless it's a temporary difficult caused by the war), these women are not poor, and are therefore probably not barefoot by circumstance, but by choice. His surprise (and condescension?) over this seems telling; presumably, a Virginian lady of means would never be caught strolling about the streets shoeless. But maybe I'm misinterpreting.

I don't blame them. I have shoes, yet typically choose to go barefoot. Was it just something common in rural America during the 19th century, to save shoes for the colder months by going barefoot?