Ive taken the following 2 quotes from the Authentic Campaigner Discussion board regarding military shoes. Interesting information!
"In the CW Federal OR’s for the fiscal year ending June 30, 1865, approximately 8.3 million pairs of bootees (2.2 million were pegged, 6.1 million sewn) had been purchased; 2.6 million pairs of boots (1.1 million pegged, 1.5 million sewn) had been purchased, and approximately 155,000 pairs of brogans were purchased."
"The large number of sewn soled shoes showing up late in the war indicate the devlopment of the Blake -Mckay sewing machine each machine was capable of sewing 400 pair per day ,by 65 some 78 machines were in use. The QMD ceased purchase of footwear in April of 65 and did not purchase any more until 1872. Large numbers of shoes were transfered to the Freedmans Bureau, Indian agencies and prisions through out the country. All shoes on hand but not paid for were returned to the contractors. For example Seth Bryant was returned 60,000 pair which he promptly sold to the Union Pacific railroad who sold them to hands."