Knapsacks & Blanket Rolls Redeux

[theknapsack]

Re: knapsack vs. blanket roll

If the Scenario Allows it, I use a Knapsack.
I find it equalizes the weight better than a blanket roll when I attach it to my belt. I also do drill much better with a knapsack.
If the scenario allows both it really depends on preference, unless their should be a certain number of each type.

[coffee boiler]

Re: knapsack vs. blanket roll

Interesting question, I guess on average I prefer the knapsack over the blanket roll. The knapsack just seems to carry better on long marches for me, and it also makes it easier to get at your gear during those brief 15 min. rests.

[texandrummer61]

Re: knapsack vs. blanket roll

Personally, I prefer knapsack , it is compact , light if you pack it right, and it is a lot easier to drum with than a blanket roll. [personal preference] :wink_smil

Ian Broadhead

[James_Kane]

Gum blankets

Hey, I was wondering if anybody had any information on the use and or construction of rubber blankets in the civil war (how many issued, number of gromets, dimensions, spacing between gromets). Also how common these were compared to painted canvas ground cloth. Any information would be greatly appreciated.

-James Kane

[hardtack1864]

Re: knapsack vs. blanket roll

I hate knapsacks, those straps are murder and you can carry more stuff in a knapsack, but its not worth it. Now I'm just lugging a blanket and gum blanket, with both the knapsack & bedroll, but I like the bedroll more with that weight, the bedroll does make you get hotter quicker, though the knapsack gets quite hot on your back too. Just my two cents.

[Tyler]

Re: Gum blankets

In the Summer 1995 (Vol.XLVII No. 2) copy of the Military Collector & Historian (journal of the Company of Military Historians), there is a very detailed artilce including measurements and sketches of about 15 gum blankets and ponchos, most recovered from the Maple Leaf shipwreck. The article is by Lawrence Babits, and you can purchase a back-issue of it for $5 on the "journal" page of

http://company.military-historians.org/index.htm

The only other source I know of is Mike Woshner's amazing book, India-Rubber and Gutta-Percha in the Civil War Era, available from, among other places, Jersey Skillet Licker.
Hope this helps,
Tyler Putman

[James_Kane]

Re: Gum blankets

Thanks very much Tyler I think both of those recommendations will be of much help.

-James Kane
76 NYSVI

[RJSamp]

Neither!

Just be the Regimental (or above) Bugler and your stuff goes in the wagons!!

And you know that the Colonel's or General's belongings will get to you by night fall.....

Anyway, plenty of bugler diaries point out that mounted or dismounted they didn't carry their stuff....it was transported with the officer's baggage....

RJ Samp

(who has a horse to carry his stuff...and the saddle blankets come in handy on cold nights!).

[Johan Steele]

rolling the blanket roll.

I've often read of rolling the blanket inside of the gum blanket or poncho for rolling blanket rolls. I've always carried my gumblanket/poncho rolled in a tight round bundle and slung it from my blakent roll so it rides about squarly in the center of my low back, I was told this was not PEC soI decided to try wrapping it around my blanket roll. I made the attempt this weekend and what I discovered suprised me considerably, while I feel I would in no way be hindered in firing w/ my blanket roll as soon as I rolled the blanket & gum blanket together I found it all but impossible. There just was no way to seat the butt plate squarly against my shoulder.

I made certain to have the "large bag" on my back and the "small bag" in the front and tied off the area below my shoulder, both in front & in back as I was taught but found the "flat area" still too big to shoulder my rifle.

Is there a trick or step I'm missing?

[Jonah Barleycorn]

Re: rolling the blanket roll.

I made the attempt this weekend and what I discovered suprised me considerably, while I feel I would in no way be hindered in firing w/ my blanket roll as soon as I rolled the blanket & gum blanket together I found it all but impossible. There just was no way to seat the butt plate squarly against my shoulder.

Comrade,

This begs the question, how are you slinging your blanket roll? If you put it--meaning the blanket roll--on the same way (going in the same direction) as your cartridge box, then that ought to leave your right shoulder free and clear to shoulder arms as well as to bring the rifle to bear. Rotating the tied ends towards your back will likewise leave yourself room to handle cartridges from your box.

Alas, if you want to experiment here are some other examples:

James P. Sullivan remembered that at Second Bull Run, "Hod Trembell had his rubber blanket folded up very narrow and was around his waist under his belt." The Iron Brigade at Bull Run, Milwaukee Daily Telegraph, May 16, 1884.

Also, the Charles Reed sketch, The Flankers, on page 347(at least in my copy) of John D. Billings' Hardtack and Coffee shows the soldier with his rubber blanket folded and looped under his belt, placed in the small of his back.

Again, these are just other exmaples of what you could do. Experimentation and experiences on the campaign will help you make your decision. In other words, try them out and see which works best for you.


Bully,

[bcatgrappler]

Re: rolling the blanket roll.

Try throwing the roll around the left shoulder.

Mike Ray
Ruff n' Readys

https://www.ruffnreadysmess.cjb.net

[DougCooper]

Re: knapsack vs. blanket roll

I have often wondered how the originals would have responded to this same poll - most I imagine might have preferred a knapsack if available. They may have been better at the blanket roll tieing than us though. Here is an interesting quote from the diary of Pvt Pierce, 16th Texas Dismounted Cav the morning after Mansfield:

April 9th:
At day light some of us began to prowl about some--the Federals having left during the night--I went forward towards the peach orchard on a little knoll on side of hill at edge of the orchard. I found quite a number of dead Yankees; one that had had his brains shot out facing the Confederates. He had a bright new outfit--Endfield rifle and aquarterments and I proceeded to take his and throw mine down. He had only used a few cartridges out of his box and I also took his knapsack it being a good one. His pockets had been turned wrong side out before I found him. Passing on farther and to the right I found in a fence corner next to the road a young man who seemed to be dressed in better material than most private soldiers. He was wounded through the hips and someone had stretched a blanket over him to keep off the sun which was by this time up. When I went up to him he commenced to beg me not to kill him which vexed me to think that he had such a foolish idea about Texans; and replied, "You fool! What would I want to kill you for? Don’t you know any better than that?" About this time I heard the order to fall in and hastened to the company and was just in time to take my place in ranks to start on the march to Pleasant Hill to catch the Yankees.

May be one only man's opinion on the federal knapsack but is interesting that he grabbed gun, accouterments and knapsack. We do know from diaries and letters that Walker's Division was flush with clothing but equipment was perhaps another matter.

[Pip63]

Re: knapsack vs. blanket roll

I am with Rob on this one. I hate blanket rolls, I would and do carry my knapsack to every event. I personally don't like the way the blanket rubs my neck and I also can't shoot with one on. But I guess it's just a matter of what you want, although it's a lot easier to shoot with a knapsack on :).

Phillip Lasseter
32 Miss Infantry

[Yellowhammer]

Re: knapsack vs. blanket roll

I personally think blanket rolls are under-represented rather than over-represented.

Back in the late 80's-early 90's, most Confederate reenactors carried blanket rolls (if they carried anything at all.) As the authenticity movement started to gain steam, "hardcores" started wearing packs and, over time, the practice became more and more common as the authenticity movement grew. I think we may have swung a little too far in favor of knapsacks and it may be time for an adjustment. On both sides, there is plenty of evidence showing that both blanket rolls and knapsacks were heavily used throughout the war.

In another post, someone said, "But I guess it's just a matter of what you want" and several posts touched on comfort. While this is great in impressions where there is some flexibility, there are MANY impressions where one is favored over the other. For example, orders from 1863 exist commanding units of the AoP to wear knapsacks and what to carry in them. Conversely, there are also orders to wear only the blanket. As with all things, some units enforced these orders to the letter while others did not. However, one thing is certain. No army, until very recently, cared much for their soldiers comfort.

[Bent Rabbit]

Re: knapsack vs. blanket roll

I find that I get everything I 'need' in my blanket roll...
As far as comfort, I don't think there's ever been a Monday morning where I was suffering from blanket roll shoulder... But there certainly have been times where I 'remembered' wearing the pack after the event :wink_smil

Blanket roll for me...