As the weather warmed, the headwear of the men of the Corps obviously changed. In our short series about the hats of the Expedition, today we’ll present what was likely worn by some of the men from spring through fall – the kerchief or bandana.
The kerchief played several roles – on cooler, windy days, it was used to tie a more traditional hat with a brim to the man’s head, possibly covering his ears from the sting of the air. When the heat of summer set in, bandanas helped keep the sun off their heads and ears, and when dipped in the river, provided periods of coolness. Bandanas were also a limited form of bug protection. Blue, it seems, was the most popular color.
Several references in the journals mention the men trading “handkerchiefs” to the Indians, who also wore them as bandanas.
This painting is a small portion of a mural by artist Gary R. Lucy for the School of Visual and Performing Arts at Southeast Missouri State University.
041117
No comments:
Post a Comment
Note: Only a member of this blog may post a comment.