My grandfather interrupted his medical training to sign up as a medic in the Spanish American War, and was stationed with the infantry in Puerto Rico. He was a gifted amateur photographer and left many photos, including this one of Acting Chaplain Butters, posing proudly with his rifle. I’ve tried to find out what the white bands are that are slung across from shoulder to hip. I found an “abdominal band” listed; stuffed with herbs like rosemary and thought to be effective against fevers. Another suggestion was that it was filled with grain to be cooked in the field. It looks too regular to be a rolled ground cloth or sleeping bag.
#thegirlwhotalkedtoomuch #americangoverness #spanishamericanwar
Ann Dickinson Sargent 