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Jean Huets 1 Comment

Please visit my New York Times Disunion article on men’s underwear in the Civil War, the basics on their form and manufacturing, laundering and lice, and soldiers’ not always orthodox ways of procurement.  (article)

At the Gaines Mill Living History weekend in July, I had the good fortune to stumble into a whole set of men’s underwear, top and bottom–and even socks. These are all made of cotton. (Deep gratitude goes to the NPS rangers and the living historians who braved the heat in authentic flesh-frying wool clothes. The interface between the two groups was, for me, a new way of seeing and hearing history.)

19th century undershirt
This volunteer kindly overcame his gentlemanly modesty to give us a peek at his undershirt.
Front view of drawers. The front has a two-button closure. Long drawers would have been a must, given the heavy, rough, wool pantaloons issued to the soldiers. The stains are, alas, gun grease.
To tighten up the drawers, this pair has a buckle at the back.
Civil War stockings
This young soldier obviously hasn’t made use of his “housewife,” the sewing kit that his mother would have supplied him with when he left home. I do hope he didn’t lose it in a game of cards. The socks (both “socks” and “stockings” were in general use) pulled up over his drawers’ drawstring keep ticks out.

WITH WALT WHITMAN, HIMSELF: IN THE NINETEENTH CENTURY, IN AMERICA | by Jean Huets

“A true Whitmanian feast—for the intellect as well as for the eyes.” — Ed Folsom, editor Walt Whitman Quarterly

signed copies, free shipping order from Circling Rivers
OR BUY via BookShop.org | Amazon US | Amazon CA | B&N

“A beautiful book of windows onto the life of Walt Whitman…. From the clear ringing prose to the fascinating photographs and colored illustrations of the great poet’s life we find the man anew—standing in his time and looking straight at us. [Huets] has made a book of marvels and I can’t put it down.” — Steve Scafidi, Poet Laureate, Virginia

Explore the fascinating roots of Whitman’s great work, Leaves of Grass: a family harrowed by alcoholism and mental illness; the bloody Civil War; burgeoning, brawling Manhattan and Brooklyn; literary allies and rivals; and his beloved America, racked by disunion even while racing westward. Over 300 color period images immerse the reader in the life and times of Walt Whitman.

19th century laundry
Bluing, an additive mixed with wash water, is a nonfast coloring that offsets dinginess, especially in white cloth. Most people today brighten clothes with bleach, which subtracts color. Various compounds (for example, bile) were touted as stain removers, but generally messy stuff was boiled and pounded out.
A photo of a surgeon demonstrating a leg amputation rolls away the veil, or at least a pant-leg. Long under-drawers peek out from under the edge of the rolled up pants. The dangling string is a drawstring at the hem of the drawers. (Children–at least African-American children–obviously weren’t considered too delicate to witness a man’s leg being sawn off. The little boy stands at the ready with what looks like a length of cloth: a tourniquet? a gag? a restraint?)

More on Civil War era fashion & life…

60 Civil War-Era Fashion Patterns  Assembled from vintage issues of Peterson’s Magazine, a popular nineteenth-century “ladies” periodical that premiered in 1842, here is an authentic gallery of Civil War-era clothing patterns for women, children, and men. amazon

Everyday Life During the Civil War Using dozens of illustrations, timelines and maps, Michael J. Varhola illuminates the details of Northern and Southern economy; town and country living; food and the impact of war on diet; popular entertainment; clothing; military life; tools and weapons; slang and much more. amazon

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