"Colour of slouch hats" Topic

I believe to have read that the general colour of felt slouch hats at the time of ACW was black. And that this was certainly the case for US troops.

Now, I done my bit of slouch hats (cowboy hats) probably wrong in brown dark and light varioations or even white.

So, did Confederates when wearing slouch hats also have the black varioution in common?

I doubt there's a definitive answer. I do mine in a mix of black, butternut, and various grays and browns. Not sure if it's accurate but I like how it looks. :)

Confederate slouch hats can be various shades of gray and brown, or they can be black. Here is a good article on Confederate slouch hats:

link

And the author of that web site is a well-known and reliable Confederate uniform researcher.

I've used his research in planning uniform colors for many of my Confederate units.

Jim

Excellent article. Perhaps worth noting that even well-dyed black fabric tends to go a little gray, brown or both after a few months of being out in the sun and rained on. Depends a little on scale, too.

79th PA and ColCampbell +1

Agreed – I tend to paint my Confederate hats a mixture of browns, greys and faded blacks – the point about fading in the sun is spot on

Pretty much what everyone says. So have fun with both sides. Also gives you the chance for some variations in uniform. Not all your Union looking the same. I also very my confederate uniform colors, even in the same units. Uniforms would wear out, some replaced, some patched, maybe a new coat, but old pants, or Vice a versa. Some captured Union equipment. Some in packs, some blanket rolls(both sides). Some of the units might have shells, sacks, maybe even frocks. Eastern units were more standard in Union, but for sure not always. I have a CDV of a Union Eastern Ohio soldier in a slouch, smaller brim. My Army of Cumberland regiment were initially issued shells, but went to sacks as war progressed, but some had shells till they wore out. My collar Piping on my artillery shell, due to weather, Sun and Sweat, almost looks pink, instead of red.
So have fun with your own painting.

In Missouri, the rebel forces usually wore grey hats. The Union Mo militia forces, who often served in civilian clothes, would often tie white cloth around their hats to identify themselves.

I can't pull up the source, but I'm sure I've seen a photo of a light tan slouch hat artifact produced in quantity for issue to Texas Confederates. They were hastily made with poor quality blocking and a tall crown. So, add light tan to your list of authentic colors, at least for Texas troops.