Knapsacks

[Mgreer]

How much would a CW Knapsack cost in 1860's money? ie if it was to appear on a QM report


Thanks Marvin

[Kanawha Riflemen]

Re: Knapsacks

Marvin,

Based upon Patten's Army Manual containing Instruction for Officers in the Preperation of Rolls, Returns and Accounts, published in 1864 on Page 68 under Garrrison and Camp Equipage it states $2.14 for a knapsack complete with straps. This manual is on google books and is a great tool for basic information. Hope this helps.

John A. Miller
Monterey Pass Battlefield
South Mountain State Battlefield

[Pvt Schnapps]

Re: Knapsacks

Per Scott's Military Dictionary, the cost as of July 1, 1859 was $2.78.
Per G.O. 95, November 6, 1861, retroactive to July 1, 1861, it was $2.57.
Per G.O. 202, December 9, 1862, it was $2.14.
Per G.O. 364, November 12, 1863, it was $1.85.
Per G.O. 220, July 1, 1864, it was $2.15.

Since inflation had dropped the greenback to as low as $0.35 in gold in July '64 (it would rise to about 60c again by the end of the war) this means that knapsacks either got a lot more cheaply made or the government got better at negotiating unit costs.

By way of comparison, per G.O. 158 of December 3, 1863, a Confederate knapsack cost $6.50. But by that time the CS dollar had fallen to 5c. in gold, or 8c. in greenbacks.

[Pvt Schnapps]

Re: Knapsacks

PS: I think you'd only need to worry about the cost if you were charging an enlisted man for losing or spoiling it. The quarterly, or later monthly, return (Form 51) just has you list the number of items.

[hireddutchcutthroat]

Re: Knapsacks

He is probably dealing with a soldier unfairly punished for loss or damage to his knapsack.

[Mgreer]

Re: Knapsacks

Thank you gents, I am doing research in the 8th USCT they were issued French calfskin knapsacks with the hair still on them. In a diary account one soldier list all the items they were issued including knapsacks and he writes 2." I dont know what the " stand for but write above he writes cap .50 so Im thinking it may have cost 2.50... but IDK.

He then goes on to write "On the 8th we got our new Knapsacks & traps, fine but small." Im thinking this is the entry where they get the French gear.

The 8th USCT was raised in PA and one of their officers was Oliver Norton formally of the 83rd PA who were originally given the French gear

[Pvt Schnapps]

Re: Knapsacks

Regs aside, maybe he did get charged for it. What period does the diary cover?

Norton? Before he got his commission he was the bugler who wrote "Taps" with Butterfield. I just started browsing his letters: http://books.google.com/books?id=sK0...olored&f=false In writing home after Olustee he says of his soldiers in the 8th (p. 202) "...no braver men ever faced an enemy." Pretty strong praise from a young man who'd been through Little Round Top!

[Mgreer]

Re: Knapsacks

William P. Woodlin 8th USCT is the soldier whose diary I am looking at. It was written between Nov. 1863 and Dec. 1864 and he compiled 123 pages of his military service.

I have all of Oliver Norton's writings and his book. Im just trying to find the evidence that says they were issued the knapsacks. They were issued at least 2 sets of knapsacks according to Woodlin

[maillemaker]

Re: Knapsacks

Norton? Before he got his commission he was the bugler who wrote "Taps" with Butterfield. I just started browsing his letters: http://books.google.com/books?id=sK0...olored&f=false In writing home after Olustee he says of his soldiers in the 8th (p. 202) "...no braver men ever faced an enemy." Pretty strong praise from a young man who'd been through Little Round Top!

Thanks for the link to this book.

Steve

[Pvt Schnapps]

Re: Knapsacks

William P. Woodlin 8th USCT is the soldier whose diary I am looking at. It was written between Nov. 1863 and Dec. 1864 and he compiled 123 pages of his military service.

I have all of Oliver Norton's writings and his book. Im just trying to find the evidence that says they were issued the knapsacks. They were issued at least 2 sets of knapsacks according to Woodlin

Just an educated guess, but if Woodlin listed the knapsack's cost as $2.50 at a time when the official cost came to $1.85 or $2.15, then he may very well refer to the French knapsack. A precedent existed for charging troops different amounts for materiel from non-Federal sources: G. O. 28 of March 2, 1862 gave clothing prices for New York uniform items, which differed a bit from those procured by the US QMG.

[Spaceman Spiff]

Re: Knapsacks

Hello.

I'm curious about Marvin Greer's (Mgreer) comment above. Marvin, you stated you were doing research on the 8th USCT, and I'm wondering if you (or anyone) can point me in the direction of any websites or databases which might have photographs of this regiment? My great-great-grandfather served in Company C of the 8th USCT, and I've been hoping to one day locate photos pertaining to his regiment.

Several years ago the U.S. Army Military History Institute used to have a searchable database of photographic images that they maintained but a few years ago they took it offline. I can't seem to find anything comparable. (The U.S. National Archives and/or Library of Congress seem to have various collections but they don't appear to be online-searchable).

Thanks in advance for any suggestions you might have.
Sincerely,
John Carter