Knapsacks & Blanket Rolls Redeux

[ephraim_zook]

Re: Groundcloth Variation?

Well, they'd have to carry it on their backs... Does that sound practical?

Ron Myzie

[Secesh]

Re: Groundcloth Variation?

Please don't be the one guy in the ranks carrying one of these....

[C.R. Henderson]

Re: Groundcloth Variation?

Get in touch with Jason Rich of Homespunwares.com . He has done some research into these.

[Cfarrell]

Re: Groundcloth Variation?

Wait one minute...I know that Mr. Ezell (Tom Ezell), once carried a painted ground cloth with a checkered blue and yellow pattern. I understand he had done a lot of research on the topic. He might be a good person to ask!

A little more then a year ago, Danny McCoslin submitted an article over painted cloth to the Ground Hornet newsletter. The article was unfinished at the time, but he had gathered a lot of information as well. He also made one...and ended up selling it here on the AC.

Now I'm not saying they were used all the time and that they will work at every event or every time period...I am saying that a few people have done research over the topic and might share it, BEFORE its ruled out!

I have found on account of a lady in east Texas, ripping up the carpet from her house to make blankets for the Texas soldier, and the newspaper encouraging fellow readers to do the same! Was it painted?...probably not....but you never know..........

Regards,

[Vuhginyuh]

Re: Groundcloth Variation?

“Cool” is the key word here. Are you asking if they were really used or do you have access one and want to use it because it is cool?

If your question is pertaining to a North Carolinian carrying one then I would emphatically say no. As a matter of fact I will plead with you not to. North Carolina issued and distributed practical things, not heavy painted floor cloths. Perhaps you can find an isolated instance or two of a soldier finding and carrying one for a while but they were not available from the State of NC.

A carpet blanket is not a painted floor cloth.

There have been a few discussions about floor cloths and carpet blankets in the past. Hit the search button.

[RoanokeRifle]

Re: Groundcloth Variation?

Thanks for the imput I was just wondering.

I don't even have access to one, and the question was more for the friend.

I realize NC Troops were fairly well supplied, and somthing liket this wouldn't have been the norm, and we're all pushing for the portrayal of the average soldier on campaign.

Just thought I'd ask.

[DOC1861]

Re: Groundcloth Variation?

I greatly question the practicality of the use of a floor covering as a ground cloth. The floor covering was a heavy canvas that was painted then varnish at least 4 times for durability. Not something easily rolled or folded. Now as for carpet that is a different story.

[Stonewall_Greyfox]

Re: Groundcloth Variation?

It has been my understanding that floor coverings would be about the consistancy of modern linoleum, being both laminated canvas and heavily penetrated with paint and varnish. In looking at period style floor coverings in the MoC and Windsor Castle, they have almost no resemblance of having been canvas.

I realize that these are different than what you might find in more middle-lower society homes, but perhaps what needs to be shown is a documented account of floor covering use...

Paul B. Boulden Jr.

RAH VA MIL '04

[RoanokeRifle]

Re: Groundcloth Variation?

Ahh,

Maybe it's the condition of the one's we looked at that could make them seem suited for such use as a groundcloth.

These two were very pliable.

Oh well.

[Spinster]

Re: Groundcloth Variation?

While I have no dog in the fight as to the conditions and happenstance that could cause a soldier to be in possession of such a cloth.......

I've used such cloths for a number of years as a civilian---and in our household, that means VERY heavy useage under adverse conditions.

When made with linseed oil and pigments, over a heavily sized canvas, the initial product is quite heavy and firm.

However, It only takes a few incidents of normal disaster---flooding rains, icy cold, and laying in the back of the wagon (or truck in my case), for the cloth to become very pilable. Dirt and sand abrasion add to the pliability.

And the initial process to make one is very similar to that for military issue painted groundcloth.

While adequate military supply and uniformity is certainly the norm, the item would prove useful enough, and portable enough to act as a ground cloth when military issue ones were not available.

When and where this happened is a fine quest for pursuit---with a special eye toward the unit portrayed and the differences in the Eastern and Western theaters of the War.

[jacobite8749]

Re: Groundcloth Variation?

In the book "My Dear Wife, Letters to Matilda", the letters of Sid Champion to his wife, he mentions several times, the use of oiled tablecloths as wet weather gear. theses oilcloths remained popular for years, and are now, in certain areas (picnic, BBQ ) having a revival. Whilst similar to floor cloths in construction, they are made using a lighter cotton, and are far more flexable and portable as well as being documented. Never aving seen a period one, I have no idea what they may look like. Remembering them from the 50's (aaagh) they always appeared drab things on the table that could be just wiped over. Moden ones are very colourful.

[Charles Heath]

Re: Groundcloth Variation?

I was wondering if anyone has documentation on the use of these as a groundcloth by a soldier in the Civil War.

Considering it took all of two minutes to come up with six primary source references, the answer is "yes," and then some. That was accomplished without cracking a single book in the library, but it does me no good to look up these blurbs from the old boys themselves time after time, so I suggest getting on the learning stick and making it happen. A lot of new folks come over here, and wonder why the old, crotchety, and mean cretins on the AC Forum got that way, well, this thread is an excellent example.

The single biggest defect amongst reproduction floorcloths, other than the use of incorrect paint, has to be the "factory fresh" look. Too many look too new, and to answer a question asked somewhere else in this thread, why yes these floorcloths do become more pliable over time, as they are used as groundcloths, tentage (four pebble method), tarps, and raingear. When relatively fresh from the house floor, these painted cloths are very water resistant. Give them a few months in the field (that would be years for us in our time) and they are far less so, especially with holes worn in them, and the inevitable cracking and peeling that occurs where twisted and/or folded.

The first one to re-post the article describing the period factory floorcloth production process, complete with steam powered printing rollers, wins the kewpie doll. The lock goes on for now, and this heads for the Camp of Instruction with other unresearched newbie questions.

[paulcalloway]

Re: Groundcloth Variation?

Here's a link to my search results:

http://www.authentic-campaigner.com/forum/search.php?searchid=516490

[fedhead]

Re: Richmond Depot Ground Sheets

Has anybody measured the surviving examples, and whats the bleed through like on the unpainted sides .

[Clsinclair]

Re: Richmond Depot Ground Sheets

Has anybody measured the surviving examples, and whats the bleed through like on the unpainted sides .

I know that using too much corn starch you will get cracking and too little you will get more bleeding. If no sizing is used you get much bleeding.

Claude Sinclair