Atlanta Arsenal haversack...

[jwoodli]

I was wondering what such a haversack might look like, if anyone has pics, who's making them, and if there is one specific type at all. Apparently a contract with SA Durand of Atlanta (his mill was near my house) in 1862 called for 2,000 sacks, "to be made of 9 oz. cotton osnaburgs with a partition of the same kind of material well sewed though & through bottom and sides, the strap to be stitched on both edges, the cover to be double button, all subject to inspection by an Officer of the Dept." If there is a preexisting thread on this topic, I'd appreciate it if someone could point me in the right direction.

[Brent Brumagin]

Re: Atlanta Arsenal haversack...

I came across this info while working on some research years back. I think it would be pretty straightforward. Square on all corners with a square front and two buttons. The interesting part is that there is a bag made into it.... I drew up a pattern to make one but never did. Might be worth looking into.

There was also a contract for cotton packs...

Brent Brumagin

[jwoodli]

Re: Atlanta Arsenal haversack...

I definitely think it's worth looking into. They issued thousands of haversacks and knapsacks out of Atlanta. It'd be nice if such items were represented even a little bit. I guess there aren't any surviving pieces though....?

[rebelfirefighter07]

Re: Atlanta Arsenal haversack...

I'd like to take a stab at making one but I'm not good at drawing up patterns.

[marktaylor]

Re: Atlanta Arsenal haversack...

One could argue that cotton duck would also be a choice for making haversacks/knapsacks. According to Standard in "Columbus, GA in the Confederacy" by early 1862, the Eagle mill in Columbus produced 1500 yards of cotton duck daily "for tents".
"India rubber cloth" was also being churned out at 1000yrds per week- makes you think about what this was used for.

[AZReenactor]

Re: Atlanta Arsenal haversack...

Brent, is that pattern one you could scan or copy. I'm starting work on rebuilding my Terry's Texas Rangers impression this year and an Atlanta Arsenal haversack should fit it nicely.

Any extant examples would ceertainly be appreciated.

Mark, without doing any actual research into it, off the cuff, I would think cotton duck (especially tent weight) would typically be a little heavy, more difficult to work with, and an expensive fabric to use for haversacks or knapsacks. Cotton drill and other lighter weight twilled fabrics would seem more likely to me.