socks

[charliegold]

I guess it's trial and error finding comfortable socks for marching in 19th century shoes. I'm having a pair made by an outfit in MO. I'm going in for an on-site fitting. I've never had this done. Costly. But my feet were killing me after two days of stumbling around over uneven ground last time.
I'm a greenhorn and would be interested in anybody who's had a similar experience.
Thanks. cg

 

[captaindrew]

Where did you buy your shoes? Getting a good quality and properly fitted shoe makes all the difference in the world. Do you have issues with your feet? I haven't used them personally but I know a few guys that have had issues and had luck using inserts. Have you broken in your shoes before taking the field? Out of the box a new pair of shoes can be uncomfortable, wear them a bit at home and get them broken in some and get the soles scuffed for better traction.

 

[charliegold]

I'm having them fitted in person by making a road trip up there. Hopefully that will make a better fit. Missouri Boot and Shoe is the builder. No football probs - just have 70 year old landing gear. Appreciate your input.

 

[Lampasas Bill]

Although somewhat uncomfortable, a good way to break in a new pair of shoes is to wet them and then wear them until they dry. It's a better suggestion for warm weather, however.

 

[captaindrew]

I'm having them fitted in person by making a road trip up there. Hopefully that will make a better fit. Missouri Boot and Shoe is the builder. No football probs - just have 70 year old landing gear. Appreciate your input.

Well you certainly picked the right guy to make your shoes. Hope you have luck with your socks. No matter what they won't feel like a comfortable modern shoe but with wear they will get better. Unfortunately I think the 70 year old landing gear has more to do with it than anything but in no way do I want to sound discouraging, hopefully you can come up with something to make it bearable.

 

[JackADriscoll]

Thin wool is the best in my opinion

 

[charliegold]

ok thank you. I didn't think this through. I need to take the socks I'll be wearing but don't have a period pair. Last-ditch thought is just to grab a thick pair of woolen socks at Wally World. Never seen a period pair of socks. Any comments helpful. I'm headed up there on Monday so fumbling for an idea. If y'all get a flash of brilliance please shoot me a post or message.

ty
cg

 

[charliegold]

should have been more specific - typical period socks are thick right?

 

[captaindrew]

should have been more specific - typical period socks are thick right?

Not necessarily, there were some thick woolen socks but also lighter cotton socks not much unlike a modern pair. Take a look at South Union Mills, they offer varieties of both. For comfort and a little padding the thick woolen socks offer that but the lighter cotton socks are nice in the warm months.

 

[Albert Sailhorst]

When you go to Missouri Boot & Shoe, tell the guy what your concerns are. He will advise you, based on a proper fitting, if you need to change the style of your shoes OR socks and the type of insert you MAY need to get.
I have inserts in my brogans and I wear thicker wool socks. As such, I have never owned a more comfortable pair of shoes.
Good luck!

 

[Mint Julep]

You're not providing enough details about your feet's condition after the discomfort period.

 

[68coupe]

Troops of the time were often nearly crippled by the available footwear. Socks of the era didn't make much difference. It has been a problem for centuries. Even Roman troops had issues in their own day.

 

[Dan Kohli]

In one book for soldiers suggested rubbing soap on one's socks where the feet are sore. I second the South Union Mills suggestion, Wambaugh, White & Co. also has some socks listed.

Machine Knit Wool Socks

Wambaugh, White & Company produces high-quality, museum-grade reproduction Civil War uniforms and clothing.

wwandcompany.com

 

[charliegold]

thanks for replies.

cg

 

[Oceanweather]

One solution I know used in the past by the modern military is to double up the socks on each foot.

Extra softness and the rubbing on the skin is greatly reduced.

Don't know if this was a Civil war era trick or not.

 

[Old Soldier]

One solution I know used in the past by the modern military is to double up the socks on each foot.

Extra softness and the rubbing on the skin is greatly reduced.

Don't know if this was a Civil war era trick or not.

Many of them did not wear socks. You peed into a new pair of boots, piled loads of shoe polish on them and then wore them until they were dry then piled on some more polish. No socks were involved. The skin on your feet hardened and thickened with the rubbing and that protected your feet. The leather was polished to maintain suppleness. (It is the old army way of wearing in boots!)

Unfortunately (or fortunately), those days are long gone, and people rarely wear leather shoes or boots any more and the skin on our feet is as soft as. The standard US boot of the time was a Brogan - rough side out - which only just reached the ankle (hence the spats or leggings). We see them as shoes mainly. Are they still available in the States? Lots of sticking plasters are needed for wearing in! Use the fabric ones as they stick to the socks and stop them rubbing. Use the tape not the padded ones.

 

[The Ninth Ohio]

Many of them did not wear socks. You peed into a new pair of boots, piled loads of shoe polish on them and then wore them until they were dry then piled on some more polish. No socks were involved.

Evidence?

 

[Old Soldier]

Evidence?

Done it.

 

[Dan Kohli]

Done it.

Can you do better than that? Like, do you have some actual evidence that was what they did during the Civil War.

 

[Old Soldier]

It was tradition - 'wet the boot and wear it'. I learned it from my instructors in the Army Cadet Force in the 1960s. They learned it from their instructors during the War - many of whom had served in the previous conflict and learned it from their instructors.
Many on the Confederate side even marched barefoot - their boots fell apart and, since there were none available they marched barefoot - no socks visible. Look at the corpses on the field of battle - few are wearing boots - even if they were wearing them before. It was one way of getting some boots when the Quartermaster failed to supply.

Trying to prove that people did or did not do things in a traditional way, is near impossible for there will be no record. It was just 'the way we did it'. How do you prove that some soldiers roasted rabbit on their bayonets? Did the bayonets pass inspection the next morning? How they polish their boots? How do you wash and shave when there is no water?