Real Confederate?

[LTDavis]

Found this photo online I forget where but they had no information on it. Wanting to know what the handwriting says and if this is a real Johnny Reb or some staged photo or both.

 

[JOHN42768]

Looks like A. High Private CSA 1864. Looks way to pristine , nice clean uniform, shined shoes

 

[Peace Society]

Isn't that just the way they did studio portraits before going off to war? Did anyone do spiffed up portraits during their time of service?

 

[LTDavis]

Isn't that just the way they did studio portraits before going off to war? Did anyone do spiffed up portraits during their time of service?

That's what I'm wondering. His shoes are really the only thing off to me cause they are so shiny. Everything else to me looks like real gear, regardless if it was kept in a studio for these situations or was worn in service.

 

[LTDavis]

Looks like A. High Private CSA 1864. Looks way to pristine , nice clean uniform, shined shoes

Is A. High somebody's name?

 

[Sheltowee]

Is this even a human? I swear, looks like a wax museum piece to me.

 

[JOHN42768]

Is A. High somebody's name?

I would guess a name

 

[Stony]

Looks to be A to me.

 

[rerobins]

Do his clothes look a bit modern and fitted to be ACW era? I don't claim to be an expert by any means.

 

[PrivateBrooke]

Do his clothes look a bit modern and fitted to be ACW era? I don't claim to be an expert by any means.

The issue sizes were generally chosen because they would fit MOST of the soldiers. There would have been plenty with well fitting uniforms, but a significant percent in ill-fitting clothing. It's possible he's just in the first group.

 

[tbuckley]

My first thought was that this is a post war photo of a confederate veteran. Maybe for a United Confederate Veterans parade or other event. Just a thought.

 

[LTDavis]

My first thought was that this is a post war photo of a confederate veteran. Maybe for a United Confederate Veterans parade or other event. Just a thought.

That's what I was thinking? Got out the old uniform he would've been wearing in 64. There's a photo of famous Sergeant Benson posing for a statue and it kinda looks similar to this. It's somewhere on another thread.

 

[Lampasas Bill]

Looks like 1880s or '90s to me. Perhaps it's an advertising card from a company that casts statues for memorials showing one of the poses available?

 

[C. Cash]

My first thought was that this is a post war photo of a confederate veteran. Maybe for a United Confederate Veterans parade or other event. Just a thought.

Yep. Shoes seem to be later period. A real Infantryman often doesn't save his boots after service because his boots stay trashed. A veteran well after the Civil War is my guess.

 

[John Hartwell]

Has the look of the 1890s about it.

 

[Gandycreek]

No way that is a period ( CW) photo. That Private may be high on something,, but not the CSA !

 

[C. Cash]

Is A. High somebody's name?

A Private like Sam Watkins who stayed a private throughout much of the War referred to themselves sarcastically as a "High Private." He had been there and done that, yet like so many Confederates kept the rank of Private as his 1st Corporal never officially came through.. Different now....nearly everyone if they don't screw up majorly gets promoted to at least a Specialist E4.

 

[Sheltowee]

Agree. Those boots are not the standard brogans- post war.
I think he's a poser….. pretty boy dandy.

 

[LTDavis]

Holy cow! Found the same man in another pose!
Both images are on a French site for the Civil War https://ccffcw.clicforum.com/t4865-Dr-le-d-uniforme.htm?start=20

 

[Josh The Lighthouse Guy]

What is above his shoes? The two big "stripes" look very strange. Socks and rolled up trousers?