Knapsacks & Blanket Rolls Redeux

[Rmhisteach]

Re: knapsack vs. blanket roll

The famous picture of the confederate prisoners at the RR after Gettysburg has a solider with a blanket roll commonly called a weedhopper. That has always been my preference

[justthemiller]

Re: knapsack vs. blanket roll

Hello All,

I think that something folks are forgetting about is the simple fact that the actual soldiers in the field quite often did not have a choice of whether they sported a knapsack or blanket roll in the field. Things being what they were on campaign the common soldier more often than not went without a lot of items that we, as living historians/campaigner types routinely bring along. Such varied items as handkerchiefs, spoons, socks, shoes, and quite often blankets were either lost, wore out or dumped when going into action, only to never be seen again till the next issue (which often enough was weeks away). One must remember that the only two things that a soldier was guaranteed to receive on a regular basis while on campaign was ammunition and sustanance. And latter could be tricky at times! Everything else was basically a luxury and was not taken for granted by the common soldier. I know that a lot of folks prefer one item over the other but one must bear in mind that it wasn't always a choice of what the common soldier would have liked, but more of what they actually had. Take care.

[DougCooper]

Re: knapsack vs. blanket roll

James has hit upon why both are good - you had what you had. Our task these days is to find out what they did have at the particular instance. Takes work but even if you have to infer the equipment profile from the next brigade over, it is worth it from an accuracy standpoint.

For Franklin we know the 6th/15th Texas may have had fed doublebags in prepoderance because of a letter from a soldier describing finding a pile of them "as tall as a house." Other times you may be sans knapsack based on the entire unit unslinging and never seeing them again, such as a number of federal regiments during the 7 Days for example. Others times, like the quote above, it may even have been "fashion."

I often wonder if some of the negative knapsack comments in period accounts might have been partly due to a notion that new soldiers had knapsacks, vets often did not if the supply situation did not keep up. Often veteran troops adopt an attitude of superiority based on how they look as much as how they fight. A light traveling, lean veteran in a blanket roll might have been the "thing" for the troops, who having no choice, might come to see it as a badge of sorts. There are several posts above that talk to the utility of blanket rolls in terms of not tossing it aside as readily as a knapsack prior to combat - a "learned" experience, again a vet thing.

And to add to that, it would not unreasonable to assume some troops, after having gone without for so long, might actually not remember the utility of a knapsack, having done just fine without.

There is a wonderful quote from a soldier in the 16th TX dismounted cav at Mansfield who removes his own knapsack and picks up another from a dead federal soldier "it being a good one." They certainly were not all created alike and/or this soldier's had worn out and he was grabbing another.

[billmatt04]

carrying a gum blanket

Pards,
I was wondering if there is any documentation or period pictures of northern soldiers keeping their gum blankets/ponchos folded up and tucked into their belts or straps. I have seen several reenactors do this and it seemed a pretty handy way to carry the blanket ()easy access if it starts to rain on the march). Anyway, I don't know if this is a reenactorism or not, so if anyone can help me out I would appreciate it.

Sincerely,
Matthew Cassady
104th Illinois

[markj]

Re: carrying a gum blanket

Hi,

I do think there is some evidence for the practice you mention but I'll have to do some digging. In the meantime, this might be of interest to you:

(Corporal Frederick Pettit to Evan Pettit, "Camp opposite Fredericksburg, Va. Jan. 13th 1863")

"In the morning we were ordered to be ready for picket a 9 o'clock. We do not take our knapsacks and tents, but roll our woolen blankets in gum ones and tying the ends together throw them over the shoulder. We also take our canteens and haversacks with all the grub we cn get for we eat a great quantity on picket. Our guns and cartridge boxes complete the rig."

Source: Gavin, William G., ed. "Infantryman Pettit: The Civil War Letters of Corporal Frederick Pettit [Company C, 100th 'Roundheads' Pennsylvania Volunteer Infantry]." New York: Avon Books, 1990.

Regards,

Mark Jaeger

[RN_PAC]

Re: carrying a gum blanket

Matthew-

As a point of interest, one of Charles Reed's sketches that illustrate "Hardtack and Coffee" shows an infantryman with a gum-blanket folded over his waistbelt and worn on his back. The fellow is drawn on something like a three-quarter view to the front (I am using my memory) but you can easily extapolate from the image what is going on. Granted, this is not as valid as a photograph or first-person account, but Reed was an astute observer, and even though not a "ground pounder" (he was an artillery bugler in the 9th Mass. Battery) probably observed this being done in the field.

I think the sketch is called "Flankers"; at any rate, that is what it is illustrating...flankers along a marching column.

Just as an aside, I like keeping my rubber blanket folded between the halves of my double bag knapsack- that way you just reach back and slide it out from the side without undoing anything (or get someone to do it for you). However, for light marching order excursions, one might not have a pack anyway.

Sorry, rambling...

Best Regards,
Tom

[hardtack1864]

Re: carrying a gum blanket

On page 347 and page 379 of Hardtack and coffee, there are men carrying their gum blankets on there belts, but Reed also shows almost every man with bloused trousers in his drawings, even while men are in camp :sarcastic . That includes during and after the war drawings, so that means he's a farb? LOL Though really every thing is great in H&C, written by people who were there. Hope that help Matt.

[markj]

Re: carrying a gum blanket

Yes, "Hardtack and Coffee" is likely the artistic source I was thinking about.

There seem to be as many ways to carry gum blankets as there are troops. Another common method is to simply wrap the blanket around the lower end of your roll allowing it to be easily detached when needed. Of course, as I've mentioned before, the issue of wearing blanket rolls was often decided at a higher level since troops were directed to, "Pick one or the other...but not both."

Regards,

Mark Jaeger

[hardtack1864]

Re: carrying a gum blanket

I have carried a gum blanket on my belt at an event, but it was hard to put it on the belt and it pulls the belt down, but other than that, it works great, though of course I have only seen this done in H&C. Just my 2 cents

[CJSchumacher]

Re: carrying a gum blanket

Yes, "Hardtack and Coffee" is likely the artistic source I was thinking about.

There seem to be as many ways to carry gum blankets as there are troops. Another common method is to simply wrap the blanket around the lower end of your roll allowing it to be easily detached when needed. Of course, as I've mentioned before, the issue of wearing blanket rolls was often decided at a higher level since troops were directed to, "Pick one or the other...but not both."

Regards,

Mark Jaeger

There is a confederate wearing such an arrangement in the prisoners taken at Five Forks photograph. Not sure its waterproofed, but a blanket or cloth none the less.

http://www.authentic-campaigner.com/...album=6&pos=23

[BobSullivanPress]

Re: knapsack vs. blanket roll

I know this is an old thread, but I finally found the picture I was looking for. It's the one taken of Confederates in the street at Frederick Maryland in 1862 during the Antietam campaign. Or it's the one taken of Confederates in the street at Frederick Maryland during Early's 1864 campaign, depending on whom you believe.

Anyway, it's all there, in glass plate black and white for anyone who cares to look. It's one company of Confederates, in ranks but at rest, waiting for something (or someone). You can see about 60 people clearly in the picture.

About half have knapsacks, and half have blanket rolls.

Darn, and I thought we'd get the definitive answer. :D

[rebyank]

Re: carrying a gum blanket

I have seen pics of span-am through WWII soldiers carying waterproof cloths on belts and on straps, so this isn't a modern idea. I'd figure it's a perfectly period way to do it anyway.


granted I never wear mine, as the only time my tunic gets washed is when it rains. :wink_smil

[1stMaine]

Re: carrying a gum blanket

Comrade,

My company carried their ponchos folded and looped through the back of the web belt when I went through basic at Fort Knox in '74. Later, when I went into the Navy, the new recruits at San Diego NRTC were carrying their utility jackets folded and looped through a white web belt.
It only shows that said manner of conveyance was practical, and was continued by the military up through the mid 70's.
respects,

[RyanBWeddle]

Re: carrying a gum blanket

Comrade,

My company carried their ponchos folded and looped through the back of the web belt when I went through basic at Fort Knox in '74. Later, when I went into the Navy, the new recruits at San Diego NRTC were carrying their utility jackets folded and looped through a white web belt.
It only shows that said manner of conveyance was practical, and was continued by the military up through the mid 70's.
respects,

It's common sense, you find a way to carry your stuff. I was at West Point for the 4th and the new class of cadets was on parade, all they had were ponchos and their canteens (slinged). When they marched into the bleachers for the concert that evening at Trophy Point, I saw some cadets had tightly folded their camo ponchos around or behind the canteen cover...

You do what you can with what you have...

Of course in our world, make sure it's simplistic enough to "pass" historically but not so out of bounds that it raises eyebrows...

[Lone_Rebel87]

Re: knapsack vs. blanket roll

I'd have to respectfully disagree with the fellars about stuff always breaking in their blanket roll (as with the knapsack its all in how you pack it) I myself am currently carrying a blanket roll and prefer it but am looking to buy a good double bag soft knapsack as well. ;)

Jordan Davis