JEB Stuart's hat

[rider]

Well, maybe you can find that. We're curious, is all. There is something vaguely "off" about it, so I'd like to know. Of course, it could just be retouched, not a good picture, or something similar. I'll be looking forward to hearing!

The thing that stands out most to me is picture quality. I just don't think it's a good photo. I've got a higher resolution version of it and it looks almost as bad. Maybe he was just uncomfortable standing like that. He also looks younger to me in this photo than some others I've seen. Not quite as war weary, at least to my eyes.

 

[diane]

There's also the possibility of touched up photos after the war. There's one of Forrest post-war, all white hair and white beard but he's in his Lt Gen uniform. Never wore it after the war until he was buried in it, but there's a pic of him wearing it! This photo was a doctored one Forrest took in a civilian suit, and used to show the unreconstructed rebel general was still willing to don the uniform at a moment's notice!

Now I'm really curious about the Stuart photo...

 

[rider]

There's also the possibility of touched up photos after the war. There's one of Forrest post-war, all white hair and white beard but he's in his Lt Gen uniform. Never wore it after the war until he was buried in it, but there's a pic of him wearing it! This photo was a doctored one Forrest took in a civilian suit, and used to show the unreconstructed rebel general was still willing to don the uniform at a moment's notice!

Now I'm really curious about the Stuart photo...

The touch-up idea occured to me too. For that particular photo, at least the ones I've seen of it, with one exception, it appears that it was printed in a book or newspaper and then digitized, becaused it has that "dotted" apperance to it that used to be prevalent whenever pictures were put into newspapers or books.

 

[rider]

I suppose it would be nice if I posted the version I was talking about, right? Forgive me, my brain doesn't work so well early in the mornings.

 

[diane]

I resolved my little mystery about the uniform and that. He was promoted to major general in Sept 1862, and his daughter died in November. I'm figuring more and more that this is an authentic picture. He's wearing the same pinkie ring as is seen in one other picture, and he had oddly made hands - which are seen in another picture. I think this is him. I know he doesn't quite look himself, but then every single picture of Forrest looks different, too!

 

[Tumbleweed]

Welcome from Wisconsin, rider. What an interesting thread you've started!

 

[rider]

Welcome from Wisconsin, rider. What an interesting thread you've started!

Thanks! I was afraid it was going to be the billionth time someone had asked the same question!

 

[Nathanb1]

Thanks! I was afraid it was going to be the billionth time someone had asked the same question!

Absolutely not! It's been great fun!

 

[K Hale]

Looks like Stuart to me.

 

[rider]

Hey guys, I don't know if any of you would be interested or not, but here's a hat I just finished making recently that's kind of Stuart style. It's the second one I've done now. I guess you could say it's more of a modern take on Stuart style. Don't judge me on period authenticity, as I'm not a reenactor. I just wanted something to wear around battlefields that had the basic look. I guess you could say this is what one of these hats would look like with modern materials. Just thought I'd show it here and get your feedback. Let me know what you think if you want to.

 

[7th Mississippi Infantry]

That's a very good looking hat !

 

[rider]

Thank you!

 

[reading48]

Good Topic....

 

[Northern Light]

Here's a photo of Stuart without the beard, and you can see the underbite and weak chin. There's a reason why his West Point buddies called him "Beauty." Expired Image Removed

It would also detract from that nose, which is quite a dominant feature!

 

[rider]

It would also detract from that nose, which is quite a dominant feature!

I can relate to having a dominant nose haha.

 

[War Horse]

Very nice hat. I have to believe the photo is authentic also there is something about J.E.B's eyes.

 

[James N.]

Hey guys, I don't know if any of you would be interested or not, but here's a hat I just finished making recently that's kind of Stuart style. It's the second one I've done now. I guess you could say it's more of a modern take on Stuart style. Don't judge me on period authenticity, as I'm not a reenactor. I just wanted something to wear around battlefields that had the basic look. I guess you could say this is what one of these hats would look like with modern materials. Just thought I'd show it here and get your feedback. Let me know what you think if you want to.

It looks good, but I have a question: How many ostrich plumes did you put on it? According to U.S. regulations concerning the Hardee the number of feathers was related to the rank of the individual wearing it. Remembering that even enlisted men wore them ( I think I remember they only had ONE ), junior officers wore at least two. When I had one made as part of my Union officer's impression it had at least TWO of them, and generals may have had even more. Of course, this ISN'T a regulation hat, but the principle may apply anyway. How many does the hat in the MOTC have?

 

[James N.]

It would also detract from that nose, which is quite a dominant feature!

Apologies to Eric, but I don't see this photo of Stuart as showing either an underbite or a "weak chin".

 

[rider]

It looks good, but I have a question: How many ostrich plumes did you put on it? According to U.S. regulations concerning the Hardee the number of feathers was related to the rank of the individual wearing it. Remembering that even enlisted men wore them ( I think I remember they only had ONE ), junior officers wore at least two. When I had one made as part of my Union officer's impression it had at least TWO of them, and generals may have had even more. Of course, this ISN'T a regulation hat, but the principle may apply anyway. How many does the hat in the MOTC have?

I've seen the regulations about the Hardee and some other people who have said feather numbers are related to rank. I put two on there. Part of that was because of the regulations, and part of it was a practical consideration, as one feather looked too thin and it's too hard to tie three feathers together. Two seems to be a good balance.

From what I can tell about the MOC hat, it only has one. The highest resolution picture I have of it only shows the stem of one feather coming through the band.

 

[AndyHall]

How many does the hat in the MOTC have?

Looks like just one, but perhaps there were others absconded with before the MoC got it.