Officially referred to as army bootees, collectors most often know them as brogans, a term used at the time, though soldiers mostly called them just shoes. They were produced in a number of variations, with both sewn and pegged soles, made by hand and by machine. Every soldier went through many pairs and they were produced in the millions, and were essential to the war effort on both sides, but very few survive in any condition. They were not much to look at, thrown away if a better pair could be had, so useful after the war as a simple work or farm shoe and so unprepossessing that few thought to keep them as a memento.

These are good examples, showing as left and right, but with the standard army square toe. They display well together: both showing just two sets of lacing holes and neither using a rivet on the side seam, but differ slightly, offering the opportunity to study and exhibit variations - one showing the counter on the interior of the heel and one on the exterior; both with nailed heels, but showing different patterns of pegs, etc.

There are some holes and separations as shown and one of the soles shows it was worn through. We also see a couple of slits that might be intentionally cut. Those studying footgear will be familiar with the image of the fallen Confederate soldier at Gettysburg whose shoes show that he had put slits in his brogans for comfort on the march. As for their importance to the soldier and the army, it would be well to remember that many asserted, whether accurately or not, that Gettysburg was a target for Confederate troops in search of shoes.

These would both look good in a display, fill out a collection of field gear, and also be a good addition to a study collection.  [sr] [ph:m]

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