Bad Hats

This is a photo of the 71st New York in 1898 after having just returned from Cuba during the Spanish-American War.  Note that they are still wearing the same campaign hat and blue, wool over shirt as worn by B Troop which represents the 1880s.  However, they do not have suspenders for their trousers and their hats are not blocked in to any particular standard.  Most have creased the crown in the center, but a few have varied from that standard, and the brims seem to be influenced more by chance than anything else.  It is also interesting to see that one individual is wearing what appears to be a white T-shirt. 

Photo by Detroit Publishing Company