Recommendations Please

[Southernboy]

Gentlemen,

I am in the market for a gum blanket but am debating whether to buy a blanket or a poncho. I would personally rather have a poncho when it is raining but I want to be as authentic as possible. I know infantry was issued blankets while mounted units received ponchos but from what I read they were both used indescriminately. What have you seen in the field and what are your feelings on which would best represent an authentic impression?

Also, how would you rate for authenticity the blankets/ponchos that Jarnigan offers?

Thank you for your time.

[James Brenner]

Re: Recommendations Please

Well, I can't vouch for the entire Army of the Cumberland or even the 23rd Corps, but Company I, 104th Ohio Volunteer Infantry had both blankets and ponchos. For example, Company I's commander, David Bard, kept two pocket books that are in the Western Reserve Historical Society's collection. One lists all the ordnance equipment issued to the company and the other lists QM equipment received.

On 6 April 1863, Bard, upon assuming command, noted among other things: 16 wedge tents, 2 wall tents, 6 camp kettles, 10 mess pans, 71 tin plates, 50 tin cups, 4 axes, 3 picks and handles, 5 shovels, 4 spades, 96 knapsacks, 96 haversacks, 39 rubber or poncho blankets ...

On 30 June 1863, his company received a partial issue of 41 blouses, 47 trousers, 20 shirts, 11 shoes, 19 ponchos, 37 shelter tents with 74 poles ...

In January 1864, Company I received 7 caps, 6 uniform coats, 4 uniform jackets (artillery), 42 trousers, 41 drawers, 40 shirts, 42 shoes, 71 socks, 8 blankets woolen, 4 blankets gum ...

On 31 July 1864, he noted an additional issue of items: 15 hats, 51 trousers, 18 blouses lined, 22 shirts flannel, 10 pair shoes, 40 socks, 4 drawers cotton flannel, 1 haversack, 10 canteens, 6 rubber ponchos ...

That comes out to 25 ponchos, 4 gum blankets, and 39 rubber poncho blankets.

I hope this helps a little.

[bonniegreenflag]

Re: Recommendations Please

As far as I can tell Jarnagin offers the most authentic blankett available for a the price they offer. Infantry was commonly issued the blankletts, contrary to popular belief the issue system was fialry regulated.

Andrew McQuillen

[hireddutchcutthroat]

Re: Recommendations Please

As far as I can tell Jarnagin offers the most authentic blankett available for a the price they offer. Infantry was commonly issued the blankletts, contrary to popular belief the issue system was fialry regulated.

Andrew McQuillen

Andrew

You may want to look into our periods military culture before posting such comments.

[hireddutchcutthroat]

Re: Recommendations Please

James

Thank you for your excellent post! The fact that Army of the Cumberland recieved shelter tents on December 25th 1862, but kept their common tents (at least one regiment based on your research) is facinating. I wonder how many other units did the same?

[kemper_rifles]

Re: Recommendations Please

Gentlemen,

I am in the market for a gum blanket but am debating whether to buy a blanket or a poncho. I would personally rather have a poncho when it is raining but I want to be as authentic as possible. I know infantry was issued blankets while mounted units received ponchos but from what I read they were both used indescriminately. What have you seen in the field and what are your feelings on which would best represent an authentic impression?

Also, how would you rate for authenticity the blankets/ponchos that Jarnigan offers?

Thank you for your time.

You can use a gum blanket as a poncho without the hole cut in the middle. Check out the picture on page 215 of the Yankee version of Echoes of Glory. Dudes got his gum blanket wraped around him fastened at the neck as a rain cloak.

[James Brenner]

Re: Recommendations Please

Robert, thanks for the compliment. As a follow-up, Bard turned in 15 of the company's 16 wedge tents and both of the wall tents on 15 April 1863. They drew their shelter tents on 3 May 1863. At the time, the 104th was at Mount Vernon, KY.

Steve, sorry that this is a little off your question.