Greatcoats rolled ontop of knapsacks?

[Curt Schmidt]

Re: Blanks on knapsacks with straps

Hallo!

Moderator hat on...

This topic has been explored, documented, and fought over several times concerning what was varied regulation, practice, and individual druthers, and possibly why as evidenced by Period manuals, accounts, and images.

Curt

[markj]

Re: Blanks on knapsacks with straps

Really? What is shown in this image?

In the words of that great Civil War general from New Jersey, Tony Soprano, "Forget about it."

The photo is great, but it was also taken in 1866--a full year after the war ended--and, like other photos in this series, shows an individual equipped under ideal conditions.

Very truly yours, &c.,

Mark Jaeger

[RJSamp]

Re: Blanks on knapsacks with straps

In the words of that great Civil War general from New Jersey, Tony Soprano, "Forget about it."

The photo is great, but it was also taken in 1866--a full year after the war ended--and, like other photos in this series, shows an individual equipped under ideal conditions.

Very truly yours, &c.,

Mark Jaeger

In other words, exactly like the 20th Maine, nearly 1,000 strong looked like in September 1862 as they marched towards Antietam.

[RJSamp]

Re: Blanks on knapsacks with straps

RJ,

1) No one ever said that blankets were NOT carried on the tops of knapsacks. There is plenty of evidence to show that being done.

2) However, the straps are for the greatcoat. Do not underestimate the naivete' of a 20 year-old green recruit.

3) Heavens, folks might well argue that tin cups, plates, and even bayonets are simply entrenching tools in disguise :)

Respects,

1. Exactly. And I never said anything either way. I simply posted a quote of a contemporary letter. Next Mark Jaeger will say that an 1866 picture of a soldier posed to document what they looked like during the war was under ideal conditions..... Oh, he already has.

2. Straps are straps...they may be there for a specific reason for them but 1001 uses in general practice. Holman Melcher ends up leading the charge on Little Round Top for the 20th Maine and is a Major by the end of the war....if he's a naive Corporal in 1862 he obviously learned very quickly......and nearly 1,000 Maine boys marched with blankets rolled up and lashed to the top of their knapsacks with straps, Enfields, etc. on their way to Antietam. I'm sure that straps were used at least ONCE to bind up a couple of splints for a broken bone.

3) yes they are. and a hat/cap is a convenient water bucket and carryall for eggs, berries, etc. Rifles are simply heavy tent poles, bayonets are candle holders, Harper's weekly is great toilet paper, etc. Again, many items have alternative uses.....and that they did....

[Jeremy Bevard]

Re: Greatcoats rolled ontop of knapsacks?

Doing some research a couple weeks ago I found references in two different Army Navy Journals on the topic. One talked about folding and placing the coat inside the pack. The other talked about rolling and placing it on the top. Interesting note in one of the articles was a British observer, I think it was, talking about American's and how their packs were. Basically, said they were over stuffed and not neat. Volunteers....

In the end, not a wrong answer here. However, since most of us probably have a larger great coat then they did we are probably best by placing it on the top.