Something I've never noticed about this photo...

[FrazierC]

Many of you are probably familiar with the well-known photograph of Confederate prisoners captured at the Battle of Five Forks in April of 1865. But take a closer look at the Confederate prisoners lined up in the photo:
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Notice anything? Many of the Confederates are wearing their canteens and haversacks on their right hip. This may seem like an unimportant detail, but it was standard protocol for haversacks and canteens to be worn on the left hip. A problem with wearing the haversack and canteen on the right hip is that they would very easily interfere with the loading of a rifle: the cartridge box was worn on the right hip; having a canteen and haversack joggling (yes, I just invented the word "joggling") on the same side would be very detrimental to the act of loading, as anyone who has ever loaded a Civil War era rifle could tell you.
Every reenactment I've been in or been to, reenactors have had their haversacks and canteens on their left hips. Not doing so would be detrimental to loading.
Anyone have any idea why these Confederates "aren't doing it right?"

 

[Chattahooch33]

I thought some pictures, depending on the type, were actually a mirror image which would make them look reversed. Someone will know for sure though.

 

[FrazierC]

I thought some pictures, depending on the type, were actually a mirror image which would make them look reversed. Someone will know for sure though.

I thought the same thing, too. But look closely at the Federal guards' rifles: the lock plate is on the right side of the rifle (where it's supposed to be). If it was a reverse image, the lock plate would be on the left side, which wouldn't make sense because the lock wouldn't be in the right place.

 

[rbasin]

Many of you are probably familiar with the well-known photograph of Confederate prisoners captured at the Battle of Five Forks in April of 1865. But take a closer look at the Confederate prisoners lined up in the photo:
Expired Image Removed

Notice anything? Many of the Confederates are wearing their canteens and haversacks on their right hip. This may seem like an unimportant detail, but it was standard protocol for haversacks and canteens to be worn on the left hip. A problem with wearing the haversack and canteen on the right hip is that they would very easily interfere with the loading of a rifle: the cartridge box was worn on the right hip; having a canteen and haversack joggling (yes, I just invented the word "joggling") on the same side would be very detrimental to the act of loading, as anyone who has ever loaded a Civil War era rifle could tell you.
Every reenactment I've been in or been to, reenactors have had their haversacks and canteens on their left hips. Not doing so would be detrimental to loading.
Anyone have any idea why these Confederates "aren't doing it right?"

How about the guy in the middle on his cell phone?

 

[AUG]

Here's a larger version of the photo. I am not sure why, possibly something to do with being taken prisoner?
Expired Image Removed

 

[Bonny Blue Flag]

Reversed photo was my first thought as well. This may have been a way to tell captives from the captors.

--BBF

 

[Bob Owen]

The right hand was used primarily when armed for the weapon. Once disarmed it was used to get into his stuff!

 

[jgoodguy]

The right hand was used primarily when armed for the weapon. Once disarmed it was used to get into his stuff!

This is picture of 3 rebel prisoners at Gettysburg.

Are the canteens on the left?

 

[FrazierC]

This is picture of 3 rebel prisoners at Gettysburg.

Are the canteens on the left?

Exactly. It seems to be a recurring theme that the majority of Confederate prisoners (in this case, two out of three) wore their canteens and/or haversacks on the wrong side.

 

[Bob Owen]

Two on one side and one on the other!

 

[freedomhistory]

a very interesting discussion - the lock plate on the Federals' rifles confirms the image is right, but definitely something is going on

 

[TerryB]

Here's a larger version of the photo. I am not sure why, possibly something to do with being taken prisoner?
Expired Image Removed

This is a paper print, so it ought to be correctly oriented. Maybe the NCO in front is a lefty (picking his nose?).

 

[Eagle eye]

I would guess since they no longer have a need for cartridge box & cap box it make sense to 'level out the load' so to speak.

 

[Savanna Mae Leckemby]

The solution may be found in the Confederate prisoners not being at all armed. It may simply be that now they do not have weapons, cartridge boxes, or others things to carry, some have allowed their canteens to be worn on the wrong side. As an Artilleryman myself, I do not carry a weapon and it is little concern on which side I wear my canteen, perhaps the same for the prisoner who also is free of rifle. I can not imagine the side in which you wear your canteen has any deciding factor in being a prisoner or not but it is an interesting idea.

 

[samuel orris]

I ag

I would guess since they no longer have a need for cartridge box & cap box it make sense to 'level out the load' so to speak.

I agree. No guns, why follow protocol?

 

[Albert Sailhorst]

My GUESS is they would, out of habit, keep the canteens on the left......I am an Artilleryman, too, and I wear mine in the left, which gets to be a pain in the rear if I am serving as Number 4 on the gun (as I'd also have the friction primers in a pouch, attached with a belt, on my left side).....As such, I'd lean toward the previous theory that they shifted in order to balance the load.....But, then again, wouldn't habit take over and they'd keep it on the left??......I don't know.....I am so confused.....Calgon, take me away!!