Images to discuss

Look at the stern look in her eye -- alongside the earrings! The hand grips the rifle and wears a wedding band. Her uniform looks like the women's rights bloomers. That paired with the soldier's cap is an interesting effect. Her face could be from today.

When I saw the photo I assumed it was Zouave and she was a Confederate. Born in Africa, French mother and Scottish father. Typical American of that era.

Her face is of today. I saw her twice on the train into London Liverpool Street this morning.

Here's one from an area of the American Civil War that I've been drawn to and am researching. Brits who fought in the conflict.

English officers at Yorktown, 1862. Image owned by 'Library of Congress'

Amazing sharp focus within this image from 1862

Although the image is titled 'English' the guy on far right is a 'Scots Guard' officer and would probably be peeved to be remembered by history an Englishman.

The guy in the rear-right looks like the gamekeeper of an English estate. No doubt fed-up with shooting English Pheasants, he traveled west in order to shoot American peasants.

I didn't know there were Zouaves on both sides! I had the same misconception as you, Dill, probably because of GWTW:

"If it's Zouave, I'm damned if I'll go in the troop. I'd feel like a sissy in those baggy red pants. They look like ladies' red flannel drawers to me."

I also assumed she was Zouave at first, but then I found images of other ladies in uniform posing in skirts online, and figured it must have simply been tradition to put the female in a skirt. The images I found all seem to be Vivandière, however. I just found this great article on the Vivandière costume. And here's one on the history of the Vivandière.

I wonder if these women would have called themselves "Vivandière" -- or "soldier." I looked it up and it means she was a female follower of the actual troop -- entertained it and gave it water, nursed it, etc. I assume she loved the label.

"Kady kept the colors she had so proudly carried and her sword, and she was the only woman to ever receive discharge papers from the Union army." Love that. Thanks for the link! Memphis.

Crimean War era  (French) Cantinière. Brown University.

Halloween: not as frightening as it used to be?

(I think the last two might have been faked)

This one's for you, Dill. I don't know if I can share the actual images as they don't appear to be in the public domain. But I know you love photography. I thought you might like the ACW Pinhole Project if you've never seen it?

Also, there are some really vivid ACW paintings by N.C. Wyeth online. I wish I could post some here, but I can't tell if they're copyrighted.