Where to Wear Your Haversack & Canteen?

[47thNYReb]

Re: Blue line haversack stamp

Not every haversack of this style has a stamp. The item in the Strayer collection in Ohio doesn't...they aren't 100% necessary to complete the haversack.

Thank you! I appreciate you responding so quickly. I was wondering about about that but wasn't sure. Since I live in Florida, my access to original items is somewhat limited, so I am grateful for any assistance that I can get. Thomas N. Rachal, 47th NYVI.

[10nycav]

Harvey sacks?

I read an original letter offered for sale on E-Bay from Albert F. Chandler, 10th New York Cavalry,Co. B, addressed to his wife, dated Dec. 23, 1861, written from the Elmira Depot, Barracks No.2, just before they headed south. Most of it was quite legible although I couldn't make out a few words (denoted by ----). Note that he refers to "harvey sacks" rather than "haversacks." when this fellow mis-spells he does so phonetically so I am guessing this is how he really pronounced this word. Has anyone else seen reference to "harvey sacks" before or have any idea where this expression came from?

I note also that he refers to getting a "roll bag" for his clothing. This may refer to a valise since he expects to get it when he gets his saddle. Is there anything else this might refer to?

Here is a transcript of the letter. I put line breaks where the sentences appear to end--this fellow wasn't much for punctuation.

Ken Morris

Head-Quarters Porter Guard Cavalry
Barracks No 2 Elmira, Dec 23, 1861

Dear Wife,

I am about to leave Elmira and bid farewell to the surrounding hills and pleasant Seanerye
we take our Departure of Tuesday the 24 at 10 Oclock AM we all feel well and cheerfull in consequence of it
we have got all of our clothing compleat also our sabers sabers knots--belts harvey sacks and Canteens
the harvey sacks is used for the purpos of careing our provisions so I shall be oblige to keep the satchell to cary my clothing in untill I receive my Roll Bag which I shall get when we get our horses & sadles
we are going to gedesBurg I do not know wether it is in virginia or pensylvana But alternate(?) it is on the Line some whare --- --------- places
This all now write as soon as you here from me
when we get down to --'-- I shall write as soon as we get settled in our new home ---b
take good care of --- and also your selfe
my Love to all
Give pa my coat Hat ---- that I have set home
when you write to me again tell me whether you got those things that I sent home by -------- or not
Good By
A.F. Chandler

[Company Tailor]

Re: Blue line haversack stamp

I owned an original a while back (turned it over quickly on a better item) and it also was unmarked. I believe white haversacks in Federal usage is way underrepresented.

[Robert Braun]

Re: Blue line haversack stamp

I am making a few New England/Massachusetts/Blue-line haversacks and am having trouble finding a clear image of the maker stamp on the front flap. If anyone knows where I can download this information I would appreciate it. Also, Are there any marks on the inside that I am unaware of? I have checked several sources and cannot find any reference to anything other than the front stamping. Thank you for any help that can be provided, Thomas N. Rachal, 47thNYVI. P.S. I am not making these for any commercial venture, just Christmas presents for my pards. I didn't want any vendors thinking that I trying to steal their research for my own financial gain.

Some time ago, I chatted with Don Troiani ragrding the stamp on the unpainted haversack in his collection. He indicated that the stamping was smeared and unclear, however if my memory is correct, he thought it was an inspector's stamp.

If we are talking about the same unpainted drill haversacks in Echoes of Glory I am not entirely convinced they are a product of a New England maker.

Regards, Bob.

[UnionMan]

Re: Blue line haversack stamp

Bob, I recall you had done some research about the use of these haversacks in the Western theater. A fledgling group of reenactors here in the Twin Cities will be portraying the 5th Minnesota Volunteer Infantry has instructed its new recruits to purchase just such a haversack. The 5th wasn't mustered in until mid 1862, and it has always been my uneducated assumption that this type of haversack would have been a rarity for a new unit in 1862. I instructed the gentleman that either tarred or white would likely be acceptable, but that tarred probably would have been the norm. Can you speak to your findings a bit more?

Thanks,

-Tad

[Curt Schmidt]

Re: Blue line haversack stamp

Hallo Kameraden!

Does anyone know of the location of one such that carries the inspector stamp of W.Giles from Steubenville?

(Or, is it a case of a vendor adding a stamp??)

Curt-Heinrich Schmidt

[GaReb52nd]

Shortening Straps

Pards,
I am in the process of shortening my slings and making my traps ride higher. My question is how, or rather where, is the best place to cut the canteen strap to re-sew it? Is this a personal prefernce thing? I had intended to cut mine and sew it back together where the re-sewn piece would be at my back.

[JimConley]

Re: Shortening Straps

Pard,
I just sewed up my strap on my tin drum canteen. It's a personal thing. I see many guys wear it to where the canteen rests on the top of your haversack and some higher. I adjusted mine so it sits about elbow high. The one thing you must remember is to leave enough slack in the strap so it will go over your bedroll or knapsack and not sit too high.

[GaReb52nd]

Re: Shortening Straps

Actually I know where I want it to ride, I am talking about the two parts you sew together. Are they normally in the back when you wear it or along the bottom of the canteen?

[Jeffrey Przewozniak]

Re: Shortening Straps

Eallo!

Something to consider would be the process of folding and sewing a canteen strap. This process seems very likely and extremely practical, but has anyone done any research to document its prevalence?

With this method, if the stitches pop out, one would still be able to sling a canteen if and when it happens on the march. Also, one would not have to worry about any raw edges. I am in earnest.

[JimConley]

Re: Shortening Straps

Actually I know where I want it to ride, I am talking about the two parts you sew together. Are they normally in the back when you wear it or along the bottom of the canteen?

Since many units frown on tying your strap, though many did, I went through Echoes of Glory and found the one tin drum that didn't have a tied strap and followed it. The original had a ticking strap fastened with a bone button. I bought a cotton webbing strap from Wooded Hamlet and folded both sides over, top-stitching them. One side has a button hole and the other has a bone button attached. The button rests on my shoulder when I wear it.

[HOG.EYE.MAN]

Re: Shortening Straps

I have a question about this issue.

I've been seeing many posts lately about shortening canteen slings and haversacks to ride high on the body. My question is, are the authentic vendors selling these items close to the original length or are they making them "reenactor length" (For over weight reenactors)????? Do you guys cut these slings down because they are coming in the mail too long, or are they sutler row slings, therefore they must be cut down? OR, are you cutting them down becuase you want them shorter then the original lengths?

The reason I ask is because I never had to shorten my slings from authentic vendors. They're usually pretty close to the original lenghts....

I'm just curious why you guys are shortening your slings.

Thanks,

[Vuhginyuh]

Re: Shortening Straps

I have always thought this boy's haversack strap is altered. If this so it is in a very visable place, apparently near the center of the strap.

[KyCavMajor]

Re: Shortening Straps

Since many units frown on tying your strap, though many did, I went through Echoes of Glory and found the one tin drum that didn't have a tied strap and followed it. The original had a ticking strap fastened with a bone button. I bought a cotton webbing strap from Wooded Hamlet and folded both sides over, top-stitching them. One side has a button hole and the other has a bone button attached. The button rests on my shoulder when I wear it.

You know its funny, I saw at least two canteens in museums this weekend with tied straps. One at the Cape Fear Museum, one at the Bentonville Battlefield.
I hear, as justification for ostracizing the practice, we never see the knots sticking up on the shoulders in period pictures, well after seeing these canteens I can understand why. They tied the knots elsewhere, so as not to rub on the shoulder.

It is possable these are tempoary adjustments, until a more permanent solution became available. I have personaly resewn mine as I don't like a knot anywhere on my straps, but I don't think we can say "they never did it."

[GaReb52nd]

Re: Shortening Straps

I have a question about this issue.

I've been seeing many posts lately about shortening canteen slings and haversacks to ride high on the body. My question is, are the authentic vendors selling these items close to the original length or are they making them "reenactor length" (For over weight reenactors)????? Do you guys cut these slings down because they are coming in the mail too long, or are they sutler row slings, therefore they must be cut down? OR, are you cutting them down becuase you want them shorter then the original lengths?

The reason I ask is because I never had to shorten my slings from authentic vendors. They're usually pretty close to the original lenghts....

I'm just curious why you guys are shortening your slings.

Thanks,

I bought mine from Orchard Hill Sutlery. It is the NY Depot canteen with pewter spout and jackchain. It also has the correct depot inpector's stamp. Since this is an approved vendor, the reason I am shortening it is because it rides too low.