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Diary account of Rice C. Bull, 123rd New York:
"As soon as our company streets were laid out by our officers each man was issued a tent cloth, and with these strips of cloth were directed to construct shelter tents; “dog tents” was the name given them. Usually three men would occupy a tent as the three cloths could be so arranged as to enclose, when finished, the three sides of a tent, in which they could lie. These tents were to be used chiefly for sleeping, as one could barely sit erect at the highest place in the center. They were far from comfortable living quarters. Yet they were the only kind of shelter we would have in the field during our term of service. For three years this thin cloth tent would be our cover from wind, storm and cold.
The tents were kept erect by driving a stake at each end, the stakes extending about three feet above the ground, and about six feet apart. They were connected at the top by a light pole over which was placed two of the tent cloths, buttoned together and stretched as much as possible at the sides. The third cloth covered the back of the tent. The head of our bed was at the back where we used our knapsacks for pillows. For our beds we would first spread our blanket, for covering we used two other blankets.
In fair weather we stacked our guns in the street but when it was stormy took them into the tent to keep them dry. When the weather was dry and warm our tents were comfortable sleeping quarters but in wet, cold times they were anything but satisfactory. They would shed rain when it came gently but if the storm was heavy the rain would come through, at first like damp mist and when the cloth was well soaked would run through in big drops like a leaking roof. In rainy weather we had either to stand out and take it full force or lie in our tents. As soldiers we had to get used to anything, discomfort, food, clothing and shelter, and we soon became used to the little tents and were thankful to have them. Experience taught us to always trench around our tents if we were to use them for any length of time, so we would not be flooded out in case of a storm."
OK, THREE men in a typical shelter-half tent? (Assuming it's a typical issued shelter-half) This is the 1st time I have read of this! I always thought, and had read many times it was 2 men in these issued tents. Now, I KNOW they were skinnier by far than many of us, and having two halves I can place together to make a full "dog" tent, I know how much room they have. I'm really skeptical that in any stretch of the imagination, you can get more than 2 men in one!
Anyone know of any other accounts that tell of THREE men in one of these things?
"As soon as our company streets were laid out by our officers each man was issued a tent cloth, and with these strips of cloth were directed to construct shelter tents; “dog tents” was the name given them. Usually three men would occupy a tent as the three cloths could be so arranged as to enclose, when finished, the three sides of a tent, in which they could lie. These tents were to be used chiefly for sleeping, as one could barely sit erect at the highest place in the center. They were far from comfortable living quarters. Yet they were the only kind of shelter we would have in the field during our term of service. For three years this thin cloth tent would be our cover from wind, storm and cold.
The tents were kept erect by driving a stake at each end, the stakes extending about three feet above the ground, and about six feet apart. They were connected at the top by a light pole over which was placed two of the tent cloths, buttoned together and stretched as much as possible at the sides. The third cloth covered the back of the tent. The head of our bed was at the back where we used our knapsacks for pillows. For our beds we would first spread our blanket, for covering we used two other blankets.
In fair weather we stacked our guns in the street but when it was stormy took them into the tent to keep them dry. When the weather was dry and warm our tents were comfortable sleeping quarters but in wet, cold times they were anything but satisfactory. They would shed rain when it came gently but if the storm was heavy the rain would come through, at first like damp mist and when the cloth was well soaked would run through in big drops like a leaking roof. In rainy weather we had either to stand out and take it full force or lie in our tents. As soldiers we had to get used to anything, discomfort, food, clothing and shelter, and we soon became used to the little tents and were thankful to have them. Experience taught us to always trench around our tents if we were to use them for any length of time, so we would not be flooded out in case of a storm."
OK, THREE men in a typical shelter-half tent? (Assuming it's a typical issued shelter-half) This is the 1st time I have read of this! I always thought, and had read many times it was 2 men in these issued tents. Now, I KNOW they were skinnier by far than many of us, and having two halves I can place together to make a full "dog" tent, I know how much room they have. I'm really skeptical that in any stretch of the imagination, you can get more than 2 men in one!
Anyone know of any other accounts that tell of THREE men in one of these things?
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