Women’s Civil War Shoes & Boots

examples of civil war women’s shoes include Victoria, Rose, Stella, Josie,

For the Civil War Ladies
The Victoria is something new for the Civil War ladies. The moment you hold Victoria you will know that you have a quality shoe in your hand. Comfort, quality and authenticity are all brought by Victoria
Victoria is a fully leather lined flat heeled, fitted ankle-high bootee for the ladies. Victoria has a tapered, squarish toe cap and is made of soft leather on a left\right last. We have been getting some complaints that ladies with sturdy feet or stronger ankles are experiencing difficulty with getting into the Victoria. We have made a slight adjustment by adding another elastic gusset.
Victoria has six jet black buttons on the front of the shoe but there is no need for a button hook. Victoria has an elastic gusset on the inside and a smaller one on the outside of the ankle. Don’t worry about time period or authenticity. The elastic gusset was patented in Britain in 1837 by the firm of Speke’s Hall. (Victorian Costume and Costume Accessories, Anne Buck, keeper of the Gallery of English Costume, Platt Hall, Manchester. Library of Congress #62-8330)
Balmoral Castle was Queen Victoria’s favorite country estate and several styles and new articles of clothing were first seen there. The combination of an elastic gusset and ornamental buttons is here shown in a man’s balmoral shoe titled, “from the 1860’s” shown on page 45 of June Swann’s “Shoes” ISBN 0 7134 0942 8. Ms. Swann is considered by many to be the world’s foremost expert on historical footwear. This shoe apparently has two elastic gussets. you may see an opening on the opposite side of the shoe where the other gusset has fallen away. Note, also, the long, flat shovel toe extending well forward of the actual toe. Fugawee produces a man’s elastic-sided Congress Gaiter or Garibaldi boot.
The elastic gusset assures that there is no problem with ankle fit as you might find with the calf-high button shoes or lace-up boots sometimes called Shady Lady. The Shady Lady actually dates from 1883. It is fine for Cowboy shooting sports but out of place during the Civil War.
Sizes for both the Victoria and Rose are from 6M-11W full & half sizes. We stock Victoria’s in bone color, whole & half sizes 6 -11width M & W
To read a charming story of the adventures of a young bride during the Civil War, visit the site <http://docsouth.unc.edu/avary/avary.html> Written in 1902, it is autobiographical.
__________________________________________________________________________
Here is Fugawee’s Victoria reproduction pictured with an original shoe from the Civil War era.
The original appears to be made of patent leather and is probably about size four. Note the flat heel and the buttons. Fugawee’s Victoria took its more graceful toe cap from another original. Similar elastic-sided boots are shown in Godey’s Ladies Book and June Swan’s “Shoes”. Ms. Swan, said by many to be the world’s foremost expert on footwear, says that they were popular from 1855 to 1880. Some medium heel models were made but Fugawee decided on the flat heel to accommodate ladies who might find themselves walking on rough ground.

The Rose
Named for the famous Confederate spy and patriot, Rose Greenhow, this is another elastic-sided shoe. It has a plain, tapered squarish toe and a vamp much like a fine English riding boot or jodhpur. Designed to be comfortable for outdoor wear, it is a fine shoe for the active lady, whether period-correct event watcher, nurse or sweetheart. We called this model Rose with a vision of a dedicated lady making her way over the uncertain ground between Federal and Confederate lines. Rose is leather lined and very well constructed. Rose looks good with today’s slacks, too. Sizes 6M-11W full & half sizes.

Who was Rose Greenhow?
Rose Greenhow is credited with furnishing the information that won the Battle of First Manassas. Captured and imprisoned, she somehow obtained her freedom and fled to Europe where she became a great social success, presented in several royal courts and raising funds for the Cause. She wrote a book about the War and raised support, money, and sympathy for the Confederacy.
When the Blockade Runner which was returning her to the Confederacy was driven against the North Carolina shore by Federal blockaders, Rose attempted to reach land at Cape Fear in a small boat. The boat overturned and Rose Greenhow was pulled down to her death by the weight of the gold she was carrying.
The authenticity of style: “Shoes” by June Swann (page 48) shows an unfinished lady’s shoe that was made by Speke’s Hall and shown at the Great Exhibition in 1861. Elastic-side shoes remained in fashion until the 1880’s.
Your welcome to Phone us at 1 800-605-8280 to order.
As with all Fugawee shoes, exchange or refund is no problem as long as the shoes are returned in a saleable condition.
________________________________________
STELLA
A ladies lace up boot. Sturdy enough for around the camp and comfortable enough for all day.
Sizes 5m to 11 1/2m, Black only

Josie
Josie is a sister boot to the Stella. Josie has slightly rounder toe and a bit shorter in the leg. This comes in a bit wider width. This is a super comfortable boot. Whole and half sizes 5 to 12 W.

A woman’s alternative to the “soldier disguise”.

This is a fine alternative for the woman who wants to take an active role on the battlefield and on parade. Visit this great page based on good research that opens a whole new view of Women in the War. Army.mil , Ehistory Womans history