Cressets Used During The Civil War?

[Dispatch]

I've researched this but have come up empty. Were 'Cressets' used during the Civil War?

This is the definition from Merriam-Webster:

Definition of CRESSET:

: An iron vessel or basket used for holding an illuminant (as oil or wood), can be mounted or placed on the ground or as a torch suspended as a lantern.

Origin of CRESSET:

Middle English, from Anglo-French, from creisse, gresse grease — more at grease.
First Known Use: 14th century.

[Horace]

Re: Cressets Used During The Civil War?

The only thing I've run across that comes close to that is a 'slush lamp', also called a 'slut', believe it or not. ('slut' at the time meaning 'chaotic and noisy' more than the current definition). It was an improvised lantern made by pouring meat and candle drippings into whatever container was handy, often a sardine tin. A wick was improvised with a strip of cloth. These seem to have been used most commonly in more fixed quarters and resorted to when the candle issue was running out.

I don't remember seeing reference to a 'cresset'. It seems like it would be too heavy to carry around, and a camp fire would do the trick.

[ScottCross]

Re: Cressets Used During The Civil War?

The soldier's "Slush Lamp" is basically an improvised "Betty Lamp" which was made from wrought iron. These could be set on a table or hanged on a wall. They had pretty much gone out of use by the Civil War and I've never read a reference to them being carried or used.

[CompanyWag]

Re: Cressets Used During The Civil War?

Sooty, foul things that they were. And sardine cans were even worse. We tried those in winter quarters, didn't we?

At least they didn't explode like camphene lamps would if improperly extinguished.

Paul McKee
"Even Older and Staying Out of the Way"

[J. Donaldson]

Re: Cressets Used During The Civil War?

Mr. Davis, in what manner are you looking for their use? By the military, by civilians, in what circumstances?

[Dispatch]

Re: Cressets Used During The Civil War?

I'm looking for the large barrel type with tri-pod legs. They look like a tapered waste paper basket with legs, all made of wrought iron. I've seen them in a few colonial, revolutionary war movies. Lately I saw some in The Patriot with Mel Gibson and in Revolution with Al Pacino.

[CompanyWag]

Re: Cressets Used During The Civil War?

They use cressets at Colonial Williamsburg for their annual illumination:

http://www.history.org/Foundation/newsroom/holiday07/images/large/cresset.jpg

Seems like rather archaic technology by mid 19th Century standards. It even makes Betty lamps look high-tech in comparison.

Paul McKee

[CompanyWag]

Re: Cressets Used During The Civil War?

Although, on the other hand I seem to recall images of mid-19th Century steamboats using cresset-like fixtures to illuminate their river passage. Check this out...

http://americanhistory.si.edu/onthewater/collection/TR_335674.html

Paul McKee

[CompanyWag]

Re: Cressets Used During The Civil War?

A steamboat torch image:



Paul McKee

[Dispatch]

Re: Cressets Used During The Civil War?

Who could make something like this from scratch if I wanted a couple custom made(the basket type)?

[CompanyWag]

Re: Cressets Used During The Civil War?

I suppose any competent blacksmith could make something along these lines. But be honest with yourself. Why are you seeking cressets? Is it because of a romantic notion, or that they look cool, or because you've seen them in some Hollywood movie? Unless you plan to go tooling down the Ohio River at night on your personal steamboat, I wouldn't expend much effort sourcing cressets for ACW use.

On the other hand, a couple of these might be a nice touch on your backyard patio for summer cookouts!

Paul McKee

[hireddutchcutthroat]

Re: Cressets Used During The Civil War?

On the other hand, a couple of these might be a nice touch on your backyard patio for summer cookouts!

Paul McKee

Thats what I was thinking.

[Stonewall_Greyfox]

Re: Cressets Used During The Civil War?

Thats what I was thinking.

2nd.

Paul B.

[Dispatch]

Re: Cressets Used During The Civil War?

If I could find someone who does quality Blacksmithing(the basket type), I would bring them to an event. I just don't know any Blacksmiths. They did use them, especially in winter quarters.

[dixieflyer]

Re: Cressets Used During The Civil War?

If I could find someone who does quality Blacksmithing(the basket type), I would bring them to an event. I just don't know any Blacksmiths. They did use them, especially in winter quarters.

OK, I don't get it, I think I missed something. You start off with this:

"I've researched this but have come up empty. Were 'Cressets' used during the Civil War?"

You are basically asking whether they were used or not because you don't know. OK, got it. Then you state above that they did use them in winter quarters. How did you go from wondering if they were used at all to saying they were definitely used in winter quarters when no such information came forth in this thread. Am I missing something here????