Gents,
Some in the hobby may not be familar with Magee and Kneass of New Orleans. This company was the predecessor of the much more well known company of Magee, Horton & George. My interest in this company started with it's April 20th 1861 contract with the State of Mississippi for 3000 Knapsacks and 3000 Canteens and straps. Going through their papers I found that this company was probably the main Accoutrement supplier to Louisiana from Jan 1861 to June 1861, when Mr. Kneass left the firm and Mr. Horter and Mr. George joined. As of this time I have gone though about 3/5th of the company papers.
Observations/Questions:
1. Magee and Kneass provided accouterments to many of the Louisiana regiments who ended up in the Army of Northern Virginia, along with the 1st Louisiana "Regulars" who ended up in the AOT.
2. The company seems to have made a couple of different types of knapsacks, as there are Knapsacks listed at $2.25, $2.35, $2.48, and $3.15, At first I thought this was mere wartime inflation of prices, but there are listings for multiple types of knapsacks on the same invoice so I think there were different types offered by the company. Which brings us to the question, what kind of knapsack did they make? A Mex-War style pack? Hardpack? Who knows....
3. Aside from the aforementioned Knapsack and Canteen purchase from the State of Mississippi, there is only one other non-Louisiana contract, for 75 side of Bridle Leather for the central Confederate government.
4. Oil Cloth capes anybody?
Papers of Magee and Kneass:
Jan. 9th 1861: For State of Louisiana
42 Belts and Bayonet Scabbards
17 Cartridge Box Straps
Jan. 9th 1861: For State of Louisiana
82 Cartridge Boxes and Belts
17 Cartridges Boxes
Jan. 11th 1861: For State of Louisiana
78 Cartridge Boxes
Jan. 12th 1861: For State of Louisiana
78 Cartridge Boxes
80 Knapsacks
Jan. 12th 1861: For State of Louisiana
74 Cartridge Boxes
40 Knapsacks
29 Bayonet Scabbards Belts and Plates
Jan. 13th 1861: For State of Louisiana
108 Bayonet Scabbards
52 Belts and Plates
Jan. 15th 1861: For State of Louisiana
55 Knapsacks
56 Bayonet Scabbards, Belts and Plates
5 Bayonet Scabbard, Belts and Plates
50 Cartridge Boxes
Jan. 16th 1861: For State of Louisiana
25 Cartridge Boxes
115 Knapsacks
50 Bayonet Scabbards, Belts and Plates
Jan. 17th 1861: For State of Louisiana
70 Cartridge Boxes
22 Knapsacks
26 Scabbards, Belts and Plates
11 Knapsacks
13 Scabbards, Belts and Plates
Jan. 19th 1861: For State of Louisiana
51 Knapsacks
51 Cartridge Boxes
Jan. 22nd 1861: For State of Louisiana
128 Knapsacks
85 Cartridge Boxes
Jan. 26th 1861
271 Bayonet Scabbards, Belts and Plates
98 Knapsacks
Jan. 29th 1861: For the State of Louisiana
600 Knapsacks @ $1.65 ea
600 Cartridges Boxes
600 Bayonet Scabbards
600 Waist Belts and Plates, Complete @ $2.85 per set
Jan. 30th 1861: For State of Louisiana
56 Bayonet Scabbards, Belts and Plates
March 19th 1861: For the Louisiana Rangers (Perhaps Co. G 5th LA Inf.)
75 Knapsacks, Blankets & Tins @ $4.75 ea
April 3rd 1861: For the State of Louisiana
500 Knapsacks and Straps @ $3.15 ea
April 10th 1861: For the State of Louisiana
504 Oil Cloth Capes @ $1.55 ea
476 Knapsacks and Straps @ $3.15 ea
994 Canteens and Straps @ $0.42 ea
April 16th 1861: For the State of Louisiana
236 Oil Cloth Capes @$1.55 ea
23 Knapsacks and Straps @ $3.15 ea
55 Knapsacks and Straps @ $2.25 ea
300 yds Leather Cloth @ $1.00 yd
April 19th 1861: For the Bienville Guards (Co. C 5th LA Inf.)
40 Knapsacks
April 20th 1861: For the State of Mississippi (note these items were shipped between Apr. 20th and May 23rd 1861
3000 Knapsacks and Straps @ $2.25 ea
3000 Canteens and Straps @ $0.42 ea
April 24th 1861: For Continental Guards (Co. A 7th LA Inf.)
80 Knapsacks
80 Cap Pouches
April 24th 1861: For the State of Louisiana
301 Knapsacks and Straps @ $2.25 ea
310 Oilcloth Capes @$1.50 ea
April 26th 1861: For Co. G 1st LA Infantry Regulars
100 Musket Cartridge Boxes
April 27th 1861: For the Clabourne Guards (Co. F 2nd LA Inf.)
111 Musket Cartridge Boxes
111 Cap Pouches
111 Shoulder Belts
111 Waist Belts
111 Bayonet Scabbards
April 29th 1861: For Co. B Orleans Light Guards (Co. G 1st LA Inf Vol.)
70 Knapsacks
April 30th 1861: For Co. C Orleans Light Guards ( Co. K 1st LA Inf. Vol.)
72 Musket Cartridge Boxes
72 Cap Pouches
72 Bayonet Scbbards
72 Waist Belts and Plates
72 Shoulder Belts
April 30th 1861: For Continental Guards (Co. A 7th LA Inf.)
25 Knapsacks
25 Cap Pouches
May 1st 1861: For the Davis Guards (Co. H 1st LA Inf. Vol.)
68 Waist Belts
68 Shoulder Belts
34 Cartridge Boxes
34 Bayonet Scabbards
May 6th 1861: For the Greenwood Guards ( Co. I 2nd LA Inf.)
93 Cap Pouches
93 Musket Cartridge Boxes
93 Bayonet Scabbards
93 Shoulder Belts
93 Waist Belts and Plates
93 Knapsacks
May 6th 1861: For the Vernon Guard ( Co. E 2nd LA Inf.)
19 Musket Cartridge Boxes
19 Cap Pouches
86 Knapsacks
86 Shoulder Belts
86 Gun Slings
86 Waist Belts and Plates
May 6th 1861: For the Atchafalya Guards (Co. H 2nd LA Inf.)
60 Rifle Cartridge Boxes
60 Cap Pouches
60 Waist Belts and Plates
60 Gun Slings
May 6th 1861: For the Iberville Guards (Co. A 3rd LA Inf.)
37 Cap Pouches
37 Musket Cartridge Boxes
37 Bayonet Scabbard
37 Shoulder Belts
37 Waist Belt and Plate
May 9th 1861: For the Confederate States
76 Sides Briddle Leather @ $4.50 ea
May 9th 1861: For the Monticello Rifles (Co. H, 3rd LA Inf.)
97 Musket Cartridge Boxes
97 Cap Pouches
97 Bayonet Scabbards
97 Shoulder Belts
97 Waist Belts and Plates
97 Knapsacks
May 9th 1861: For Morehouse Guards (Co. B 3rd LA Inf.)
47 Musket Cartridge Boxes
47 Bayonet Scabbards
47 Shoulder Belts
47 Waist Belts and Plates
47 Cap Pouches
May 11th 1861: Capt. J.W. Dunn of the Floyd Guards (Co. G 2nd LA Inf.)
40 Cap Pouches
May 12th 1861: For Co. I 1st Louisiana Regulars, Capt D. West
100 Musket Cartridge Boxes
100 Bayonet Scabbards
100 Knapsacks
100 Shoulder Belts
100 Cap Pouches
100 Waist Belts and Plates
May 17th 1861: For the State of Louisiana (For the 3rd LA Inf.)
264 Bayonet Scabbards @ $0.80 ea
May 17th 1861: For the State of Louisiana (For the Creole (?) Rifles)
10 Knapsacks @ $2.35 ea
May 18th 1861: For the State of Louisiana
108 Oil Cloth Capes @ $2.50 ea
350 Knapsacks and Straps @ $2.35 ea
1440 Knapsacks and Straps @ $2.48 ea
May 18th 1861: For the State of Louisiana
200 Cartridge Boxes @ $1.60 ea
200 Cap Pouches @ $0.50 ea
200 Waist Belts and Buckles @ $0.90 ea
200 Cross Belts @ $.65 ea
200 Scabbard @ $0.80 ea
May 18th 1861: For Capt R.A. Raughn
40 Cartridge Boxes @ $1.60 ea
40 Cap Pouches @ $0.50 ea
40 Bayonet Scabbard @ $0.80 ea
40 Waist Bets and Buckles @ $0.90 ea
40 Shoulder Belts @ $.065 ea
The work continues....
Will MacDonald
WIG/TMB
Some in the hobby may not be familar with Magee and Kneass of New Orleans. This company was the predecessor of the much more well known company of Magee, Horton & George. My interest in this company started with it's April 20th 1861 contract with the State of Mississippi for 3000 Knapsacks and 3000 Canteens and straps. Going through their papers I found that this company was probably the main Accoutrement supplier to Louisiana from Jan 1861 to June 1861, when Mr. Kneass left the firm and Mr. Horter and Mr. George joined. As of this time I have gone though about 3/5th of the company papers.
Observations/Questions:
1. Magee and Kneass provided accouterments to many of the Louisiana regiments who ended up in the Army of Northern Virginia, along with the 1st Louisiana "Regulars" who ended up in the AOT.
2. The company seems to have made a couple of different types of knapsacks, as there are Knapsacks listed at $2.25, $2.35, $2.48, and $3.15, At first I thought this was mere wartime inflation of prices, but there are listings for multiple types of knapsacks on the same invoice so I think there were different types offered by the company. Which brings us to the question, what kind of knapsack did they make? A Mex-War style pack? Hardpack? Who knows....
3. Aside from the aforementioned Knapsack and Canteen purchase from the State of Mississippi, there is only one other non-Louisiana contract, for 75 side of Bridle Leather for the central Confederate government.
4. Oil Cloth capes anybody?
Papers of Magee and Kneass:
Jan. 9th 1861: For State of Louisiana
42 Belts and Bayonet Scabbards
17 Cartridge Box Straps
Jan. 9th 1861: For State of Louisiana
82 Cartridge Boxes and Belts
17 Cartridges Boxes
Jan. 11th 1861: For State of Louisiana
78 Cartridge Boxes
Jan. 12th 1861: For State of Louisiana
78 Cartridge Boxes
80 Knapsacks
Jan. 12th 1861: For State of Louisiana
74 Cartridge Boxes
40 Knapsacks
29 Bayonet Scabbards Belts and Plates
Jan. 13th 1861: For State of Louisiana
108 Bayonet Scabbards
52 Belts and Plates
Jan. 15th 1861: For State of Louisiana
55 Knapsacks
56 Bayonet Scabbards, Belts and Plates
5 Bayonet Scabbard, Belts and Plates
50 Cartridge Boxes
Jan. 16th 1861: For State of Louisiana
25 Cartridge Boxes
115 Knapsacks
50 Bayonet Scabbards, Belts and Plates
Jan. 17th 1861: For State of Louisiana
70 Cartridge Boxes
22 Knapsacks
26 Scabbards, Belts and Plates
11 Knapsacks
13 Scabbards, Belts and Plates
Jan. 19th 1861: For State of Louisiana
51 Knapsacks
51 Cartridge Boxes
Jan. 22nd 1861: For State of Louisiana
128 Knapsacks
85 Cartridge Boxes
Jan. 26th 1861
271 Bayonet Scabbards, Belts and Plates
98 Knapsacks
Jan. 29th 1861: For the State of Louisiana
600 Knapsacks @ $1.65 ea
600 Cartridges Boxes
600 Bayonet Scabbards
600 Waist Belts and Plates, Complete @ $2.85 per set
Jan. 30th 1861: For State of Louisiana
56 Bayonet Scabbards, Belts and Plates
March 19th 1861: For the Louisiana Rangers (Perhaps Co. G 5th LA Inf.)
75 Knapsacks, Blankets & Tins @ $4.75 ea
April 3rd 1861: For the State of Louisiana
500 Knapsacks and Straps @ $3.15 ea
April 10th 1861: For the State of Louisiana
504 Oil Cloth Capes @ $1.55 ea
476 Knapsacks and Straps @ $3.15 ea
994 Canteens and Straps @ $0.42 ea
April 16th 1861: For the State of Louisiana
236 Oil Cloth Capes @$1.55 ea
23 Knapsacks and Straps @ $3.15 ea
55 Knapsacks and Straps @ $2.25 ea
300 yds Leather Cloth @ $1.00 yd
April 19th 1861: For the Bienville Guards (Co. C 5th LA Inf.)
40 Knapsacks
April 20th 1861: For the State of Mississippi (note these items were shipped between Apr. 20th and May 23rd 1861
3000 Knapsacks and Straps @ $2.25 ea
3000 Canteens and Straps @ $0.42 ea
April 24th 1861: For Continental Guards (Co. A 7th LA Inf.)
80 Knapsacks
80 Cap Pouches
April 24th 1861: For the State of Louisiana
301 Knapsacks and Straps @ $2.25 ea
310 Oilcloth Capes @$1.50 ea
April 26th 1861: For Co. G 1st LA Infantry Regulars
100 Musket Cartridge Boxes
April 27th 1861: For the Clabourne Guards (Co. F 2nd LA Inf.)
111 Musket Cartridge Boxes
111 Cap Pouches
111 Shoulder Belts
111 Waist Belts
111 Bayonet Scabbards
April 29th 1861: For Co. B Orleans Light Guards (Co. G 1st LA Inf Vol.)
70 Knapsacks
April 30th 1861: For Co. C Orleans Light Guards ( Co. K 1st LA Inf. Vol.)
72 Musket Cartridge Boxes
72 Cap Pouches
72 Bayonet Scbbards
72 Waist Belts and Plates
72 Shoulder Belts
April 30th 1861: For Continental Guards (Co. A 7th LA Inf.)
25 Knapsacks
25 Cap Pouches
May 1st 1861: For the Davis Guards (Co. H 1st LA Inf. Vol.)
68 Waist Belts
68 Shoulder Belts
34 Cartridge Boxes
34 Bayonet Scabbards
May 6th 1861: For the Greenwood Guards ( Co. I 2nd LA Inf.)
93 Cap Pouches
93 Musket Cartridge Boxes
93 Bayonet Scabbards
93 Shoulder Belts
93 Waist Belts and Plates
93 Knapsacks
May 6th 1861: For the Vernon Guard ( Co. E 2nd LA Inf.)
19 Musket Cartridge Boxes
19 Cap Pouches
86 Knapsacks
86 Shoulder Belts
86 Gun Slings
86 Waist Belts and Plates
May 6th 1861: For the Atchafalya Guards (Co. H 2nd LA Inf.)
60 Rifle Cartridge Boxes
60 Cap Pouches
60 Waist Belts and Plates
60 Gun Slings
May 6th 1861: For the Iberville Guards (Co. A 3rd LA Inf.)
37 Cap Pouches
37 Musket Cartridge Boxes
37 Bayonet Scabbard
37 Shoulder Belts
37 Waist Belt and Plate
May 9th 1861: For the Confederate States
76 Sides Briddle Leather @ $4.50 ea
May 9th 1861: For the Monticello Rifles (Co. H, 3rd LA Inf.)
97 Musket Cartridge Boxes
97 Cap Pouches
97 Bayonet Scabbards
97 Shoulder Belts
97 Waist Belts and Plates
97 Knapsacks
May 9th 1861: For Morehouse Guards (Co. B 3rd LA Inf.)
47 Musket Cartridge Boxes
47 Bayonet Scabbards
47 Shoulder Belts
47 Waist Belts and Plates
47 Cap Pouches
May 11th 1861: Capt. J.W. Dunn of the Floyd Guards (Co. G 2nd LA Inf.)
40 Cap Pouches
May 12th 1861: For Co. I 1st Louisiana Regulars, Capt D. West
100 Musket Cartridge Boxes
100 Bayonet Scabbards
100 Knapsacks
100 Shoulder Belts
100 Cap Pouches
100 Waist Belts and Plates
May 17th 1861: For the State of Louisiana (For the 3rd LA Inf.)
264 Bayonet Scabbards @ $0.80 ea
May 17th 1861: For the State of Louisiana (For the Creole (?) Rifles)
10 Knapsacks @ $2.35 ea
May 18th 1861: For the State of Louisiana
108 Oil Cloth Capes @ $2.50 ea
350 Knapsacks and Straps @ $2.35 ea
1440 Knapsacks and Straps @ $2.48 ea
May 18th 1861: For the State of Louisiana
200 Cartridge Boxes @ $1.60 ea
200 Cap Pouches @ $0.50 ea
200 Waist Belts and Buckles @ $0.90 ea
200 Cross Belts @ $.65 ea
200 Scabbard @ $0.80 ea
May 18th 1861: For Capt R.A. Raughn
40 Cartridge Boxes @ $1.60 ea
40 Cap Pouches @ $0.50 ea
40 Bayonet Scabbard @ $0.80 ea
40 Waist Bets and Buckles @ $0.90 ea
40 Shoulder Belts @ $.065 ea
The work continues....
Will MacDonald
WIG/TMB
Comment