Federal junior officers on campaign

[smithjub]

Greetings,

I've read a lot of good information on these posts regarding the equipment, shelters, clothing, food and general practices of enlisted men in the Union army, but I'm looking for some resources for improving my officer's impression. I've been doing mainstream and, in part because of the information on this forum, have been gradually upgrading my impression to be more along the campaigner level of authenticity. My problem is that I can't seem to find any resources for field accounts of what a junior officer would have had in the way of "baggage."

The only accounts I've been able to find in the archives in Worcester, MA. and in Maine (while researching a relative) discuss what equipment was issued and transported during the raising of a regiment (summer of 1861) and in summer training camps in Western Mass. These include numerous wedge tents, wall tents, furniture, etc, which I'm pretty sure would not have been with them as they marched through Virginia. While my impression is based on a MA junior officer, any information about campaign gear for junior officers in general would be very helpful. Right now my impression is that of a staff officer, but info on company officers, ADC's, etc would be great.

What would they have had in the way of tentage, bedding, lanterns, writing desks, etc.? How would extra uniform coats, etc. be stored or carried? Thanks in advance.

[hireddutchcutthroat]

Re: Federal junior officers on campaign

Here is an amazing image of officers during the Tullahoma campaign in 1863.

[James Brenner]

Re: Federal junior officers on campaign

Here's one officer who didn't carry much...This extract is from Orson G. Vanderhoof's pension request located in the National Archives. As background, Vanderhoof enlisted in Company A, 104th Ohio Volunteer Infantry and was promoted from Orderly Sergeant of Company A to 2LT in Company K. While as the Orderly Sergeant, in September 1862, V. carried the company's books in his knapsack instead of putting them in the wagon. The weight injured his left shoulder to such an extent that it bothered him throughout the rest of the war. In his pension claim, V. included several affadavits from acquaintances certifying the extent of the injury. Leander Yant certified, "Orson Vanderhoof would not allow anything on his left shoulder, not even the shoulder strap to his sword after he became Lieutenant. He would carry his blanket in his hand or on a stick on his right shoulder and carried his sword on the belt only."

[CYoungJSU]

Re: Federal junior officers on campaign

Although I can't help you on a Federal junior officer, I do have some insight on a Confederate junior officer that may give you some ideas about general equippage,etc. The material that I am quoting from comes from The Civil War Letters of Joshua K. Callaway edited by Judith Lee Hallock. Callaway, a lieutenant in the 28th Alabama, is writing to his wife from camp near Knoxville, Tennessee on October 31, 1862. He writes:

Being an officer, I am entitled to a certain amount of baggage to be hauled, hence I want my Carpet Sack and if you can't get a key to lock it
you must tie it up. I want my overcoat, my boots, two pair of pants,
2 pair Drawers, 2 shirts, such as you have, 2 or 3 pair of socks, my old
sheep skin vest, if it is worth sending; some gloves, a comfort wear
around my neck and a woolen net cap to sleep in, if you have such a
thing (64).

Christopher Young

[Vuhginyuh]

Re: Federal junior officers on campaign

thoughts struck

[hireddutchcutthroat]

Re: Federal junior officers on campaign

If you have not already done so, I recomend reading Leander Stillwells Gone For a Soldier. Stillwell was an officer in the 61st Illinios.

[Silas]

Re: Federal junior officers on campaign

What would [company officers, ADC's, etc] have had in the way of tentage, bedding, lanterns, writing desks, etc.? How would extra uniform coats, etc. be stored or carried? Thanks in advance.

The U.S. Regulations state:

43. In an active campaign, troops must be prepared to bivouac on the march, the allowance of tents being limited as follows: [ ] For the Colonel, Field, and Staff of a full regiment, three wall tents; and for every other commissioned officer, one shelter tent each. For every two non-commissioned officers, soldiers, officers servants, and other camp followers, one shelter tent. One hospital tent will be allowed office purposes at Corps headquarters, and one wall tent at those of a Division or a Brigade. All tents beyond this allowance will be left at the Depot.(6)

This means that only field officers plus their staff are entitled to reside in wall tents. "Shelter tents only are allowed only to company officers and men[.]"(7) Company officers received a complete shelter tent (meaning two shelter halves), and each enlisted man received one shelter half.

Also from the US Regulations:

44. Officer's baggage will be limited to blankets, one small valise or carpet bag, and a moderate mess kit. The men will carry their own blankets and shelter tents, and reduce the contents of their knapsacks as much as possible.(10)

In April, 1863, J.E.B. Stuart authorized wall tents for his division and brigade commanders. For all other officers:

One tent fly for every 4 commissioned officers, and one for every 10 non- commissioned officers and privates. [ ] Each officer will be allowed a small hand-trunk or valise, and enlisted men will carry one blanket and a change of underclothes on their horses. The wagons allowed to regiments and brigades must be used solely for the transportation of supplies, tents, flies, and cooking utensils. No other baggage than that specified will be allowed under any circumstances.(30)

Much more information about tentage is noted in my article,
Shred the Tents and Burn the Wagons: How Tents Ruin Reenactor Credibility. It's footnote filled.

[Stu_Sac]

Re: Federal junior officers on campaign

I might also suggest you look at "All for the Union" by Elisha Rhodes. A number of his entries talk about his lifestyle and property.

Stu Howe
Sacramento, CA

[cssrichmond]

Re: Federal junior officers on campaign

By all means, find John William DeForest's "A Volunteer's Adventures." Although it was published after the War, and was probably heavily edited, he goes into more detail than almost anyone I've read regarding line officers.
Cheers,
Brett Silver

[Adjutant]

Re: Federal junior officers on campaign

I have to chime in on the previous post recommending Elisha Hunt Rhoades' diary. It is important to remember that a staff officer and a line officer are very different creatures. A line officer will tend to look more like his men, as the excellent photo above shows, a staff officer will almost certainly have a horse and his equipment will probably be closer at hand in his valise. A staff officer will be much more likely to have a servant (often shared with another officer) and will, especially if on brigade staff, probably have access to the headquarters wagon frequently. This does not mean that carrying everything under the sun is appropriate. The tradeoff is significant. Should a staff officer not be able to access his horse, valise, wagon, or servant he is much worse off than the fellow marching with a knapsack who has all his bedding and rations handy. For good examples from Rhoades read my post on anther thread: http://www.authentic-campaigner.com/...ead.php?t=1481.

[hireddutchcutthroat]

Re: Federal junior officers on campaign

By all means, find John William DeForest's "A Volunteer's Adventures." Although it was published after the War, and was probably heavily edited, he goes into more detail than almost anyone I've read regarding line officers.
Cheers,
Brett Silver

Brett

Is DeForrest book still in publication? I have an ancient copy of it, and if you can a copy find it read it.

[Robert Braun]

Re: Federal junior officers on campaign

I agree with the book recommendations listed thus far, and strongly second Mr. Silver's recommendation of DeForest's book. It is sobering, insightful, and in several places downright funny.

Bob.

[Stu_Sac]

Re: Federal junior officers on campaign

Andrew,

Thank you for chiming in on my post about Rhodes. You make a point I should have noted last night. Especially, as I was reading him last night to double check the entry he made, on his choice between taking a Company as a Captain or becoming the Adjutant.

Again, thank you

Stu Howe