Friends,
I found this excellent little document on eBay earlier today.
If you look closely at the photos the seller has provided you'll see that knit blouses have clearly been requisitioned by Captain Chas. Wells of the 5th Pennsylvania Infantry. What makes this even better is that it's dated "September 22nd, 1862, Camp near Sharpsburgh, Md."
The 5th Pennsylvania Reserves, also known as the 34th Pennsylvania Infantry, was organized at Camp Curtin, Harrisburg, PA on June 21st, 1861 and mustered out in Harrisburg on June 11th, 1864. It seems that the regiment was only lightly engaged at Antietam losing two killed and eight wounded.
Captain Charles Wells enlisted on June 21st, 1861 and was mustered into Company B as sergeant. He was promoted to 2nd Lieutenant on Sept. 26, 1861, to 1st Lieutenant on Dec. 16th of the same year, and Captain on July 1st, 1862. Wells was killed at Fredericksburg on December 13th.
Also interesting is the request for "tent blankets" which I assume is just another phrase for a shelter tent half or maybe a waterproof/rubberized blanket. At any rate it's the first clear evidence of the dreaded knit fatigue blouse being requested by anyone...much less soldiers in the field!
I found this excellent little document on eBay earlier today.
If you look closely at the photos the seller has provided you'll see that knit blouses have clearly been requisitioned by Captain Chas. Wells of the 5th Pennsylvania Infantry. What makes this even better is that it's dated "September 22nd, 1862, Camp near Sharpsburgh, Md."
The 5th Pennsylvania Reserves, also known as the 34th Pennsylvania Infantry, was organized at Camp Curtin, Harrisburg, PA on June 21st, 1861 and mustered out in Harrisburg on June 11th, 1864. It seems that the regiment was only lightly engaged at Antietam losing two killed and eight wounded.
Captain Charles Wells enlisted on June 21st, 1861 and was mustered into Company B as sergeant. He was promoted to 2nd Lieutenant on Sept. 26, 1861, to 1st Lieutenant on Dec. 16th of the same year, and Captain on July 1st, 1862. Wells was killed at Fredericksburg on December 13th.
Also interesting is the request for "tent blankets" which I assume is just another phrase for a shelter tent half or maybe a waterproof/rubberized blanket. At any rate it's the first clear evidence of the dreaded knit fatigue blouse being requested by anyone...much less soldiers in the field!
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