Ohio Style Haversacks

[ds1999]

I was thinking of purchasing an Ohio haversack. I am a member of the 2nd Wisconsin. Besides the Iron Brigade we usually portray other western units.
Would this style of haversack be appropriate for my impression?

[RSchuda]

Re: Ohio Style Haversacks

First off, congratulations on your first post!

I'm by no means an expert on the Iron Brigade, but I don't remember anything about them having contract "ohio haversacks", granted I'm sure someone else on here will know more than I do on that.

For those "other western units", I would go by what they were issued, by looking at things such as quartermaster reports and photographs if available. If you're going with a generic western federal impression to cover all these different units, I would just stick with the standard tarred haversack.

[ds1999]

Re: Ohio Style Haversacks

Thank you for response. It helped me out a lot!

- - - Updated - - -

P. S. Thanks for recognizing this as my first post.

[Craig L Barry]

Re: Ohio Style Haversacks

One thing to keep in mind with an item which was frequently replenished as haversacks were...the odds favor that no one particular maker or style would supply soldiers from any particular regiment over the course of their entire enlistment. By this I mean, even if an Ohio style haversack (Nick ************ offers an excellent reproduction) was issued to the 2nd Wisconsin it is likely that 90 days later they would receive haversacks made by another contractor from someplace else. About the only absolutes of which I am aware are rough dimensions (even those varied) of about a foot square and often a stitched and riveted leather fastener was found later in the war. Earlier in the war they were just stitched to the front.

Invoices where they exist do not specify style or maker but will usually simply state something like "50 haversacks...painted @ 56c." See the article on here for an interesting specimen:

http://www.authentic-campaigner.com/forum/showthread.php?41502-ORIGINAL-LATE-WAR-HAVERSACK-By-Craig-L-Barry

[Hoosier]

Re: Ohio Style Haversacks

1. Does anybody have any idea what time frame during the war where those Ohio Issue haversacks utilized?

2. Using either photographs analysis/surveying techniques or actual official records, specifically, what units received them?

[James Brenner]

Re: Ohio Style Haversacks

In Dave Taylor's most recent on-line catalog, he has an image for sale in which the individual is wearing an Ohio haversack. According to the description, the picture, taken in Cincinnati, is from 1862 and depicts a squirrel hunter armed with a M1842 musket.

I hope this helps.

[Hoosier]

Re: Ohio Style Haversacks

James,

The image certainly is an intriguing one. It is hard to tell if he is a new enlistee in the army without all his issued gear and uniform or one of the famed squirrel hunters that was called up during the Cincinnati invasion scare of 62'. The Cincinnati back mark on the CDV would certainly lend credibility to that theory. It is hard to tell whether he is a soldier or militiaman , because his hands are covering his cap and you cannot see his coat very clearly either. He certainly does have a military musket and bayonet. Like you said, he also has a cotton or linen haversack (civilian or Cincinnati Depot issue?). Thanks, nice image!

Does anybody else want to interpret this image?

http://www.angelfire.com/oh3/civilwarantiques/1508webcat02.html

[Mississippian]

Re: Ohio Style Haversacks

http://www.perryvillebattlefield.org/html/us_infantry_2015.html

Scroll down to see two members of the 42nd Indiana with what look like white haversacks. Plus, IIRC one of the surviving haversacks of this type was issued to the 2nd Ohio Heavy Artillery, which wasn't formed until the middle of 1863.

Will MacDonald