Covering for soldiers' heads.
--A correspondent writing to the editor of this paper on the subject of a suitable
head-dress for the soldiers of the Confederate Army, says:
‘
"Seeing in your paper an account of the unfortunate shooting of
Mr. Furcron by one of our own men at
Manassas, I wish to suggest to the authorities the use of a light colored felt hat, which, if it does not present such a military appearance, is an excellent distinction, combining both safety and comfort.
It could be confined on the head by a band, similar to that used on the caps.
When hot weather comes I very much fear the effects of the sun on our troops, many of whom are totally unused to exposure.
This hat would afford protection to the brain and eyes from the sun, and certainly and very much to the comfort of the soldier when on duty in the rain.
I do hope that the yellow betts of which we heard last week, will not be used, as we can not afford to make targets on our bodies for the enemy to shoot at
I think a blue cockade on the front, and back of the cap too, would be a suitable distinction, but I most earnestly desire a comfortable hat for our soldiers; the cap is very uncomfortable, pressing too closely on the brain, and affording no protection whatever from the sun or rain."
’
We give the suggestions of the writer for what they may be worth.
We will observe, however, that it is too late to talk of any distinctive kind of hat for our troops.
The best that can now be done is to make those we have as comfortable as possible, and that is what our soldiery have been doing by adding ‘"havelocks"’ and other contrivances to their head toggery.
