Rations

[billmatt04]

Re: Mechanical Baking Co.....?

I stopped at Mechanical Baking Company's factory and it was all locked up and the windows were closed and covered. tha mailbox was full of cobwebs and spiderwebs. Looks like nothing has been going on there for quite some time. What a shame.

Matt Cassady
104th Illinois Vol. Inf.

[dedogtent]

Re: Mechanical Baking Co.....?

Broke a tooth on a Bent's around 2 years ago, they seemed pretty hard to me. The one's issued that we ate at McDowell or Into the Wilderness or other campaigns seemed alot smaller and softer. Where did they come from?

[MarkTK36thIL]

Re: Mechanical Baking Co.....?

Better save the few remaining MBC crackers I still got. Reminds me of that old post about certain garment makers and how they gear might increase in value due to a stop in production.

[DougCooper]

Re: Mechanical Baking Co.....?

I have a 5 year old MBC cracker that has taken on the consistency of stone tile...even makes the same noise if you bang it against something. Bents tastes good but leave 2-3 of them in a haversack for very long and you have crumb city.

Back to making my own again - rats.

[JACKSONVC]

Haversack Packing

Pards,
I started this discussion over on the temporary site and thought it should be brought over.
The haversack was designed to be the food carry all for the individual soldier during the Civil War. Less than roomy, they are utilitarian, designed to carry the issued rations a soldier on campaign required to sustain life. With that said, packing the bag is of individual technique and lessons learned. I prefer to pack my salt pork or bacon on the bottom, this keeps fats from seeping into other items. Next goes potatoes, carrots, and other vegatables if issued or brought. Lastly, I place hardtack and poke sacks on top. The only other items that make it into the bag are a small cleaning rag at time (I normally clean my canteen half with a jacket sleeve or knee of pants) and if its raining, my pipe tobacco. All else is wrapped up in my bed roll or put into pockets.
I love seeing folks carry dime store novels, pictures, bottles, and heaven knows what else in their haversacks. Anyone who has ever marched more than 20 miles knows that you need to strip it down to the essentials, all that extra stuff is just stuff. Keep it light. Thoughts?

[reb1912]

Re: Haversack Packing

Greetings,

I would agree to only using your haversack just for foodstuff. In my "waterproof" haversack, I put the pork in a pokesack and at the bottom, along with Johnny Bread(pokesack), a ear of corn (if lucky) cornmeal (pokesack), melasses(pokesack), coffebeans(pokesack) and rice (pokesack)

Then i carry in a smaller haversack, messplate, eating utensils, goobers, hardtacks (pokesack), onions, carrots, and if lucky some precooked bacon/saltpork.

All the above could fit into one haversack, but dividing it into to haversacks makes it easier for me to find things, even in the dark night.

Rest (socks, candles, extra shirt, rifle cleaning kit, housewife, etc.) goes in knapsack.

Pipe and tobacco in leatherpouch, goes in innerpocket of my jacket (although me soking wet once, most of the tobacco was still nice and dry)

I carry only what I would describe as bare essentials, and so far I haven't had a problem marching with it.

Just my thoughts,

[tenfed1861]

Re: Haversack Packing

Vince,
I first put my hard crackers or johnny bread down at the bottom.Next to that I put in my salt pork,in a poke of course,and a thing of rice,so that way it will loosen up the crackers and flavor the rice alittle.I then put in my coffee if I feel like taking some.I mix the sugar and coffee together.I then put in my boiled eggs,apples,carrets,cheese,or what ever else I feel like taking.Riding next to my side is my canteen halve and utinsles.On the outside I put my cup.
I put the extra socks,shirt,candle,personal items(deck of cards,tooth brush,lye soap,comb,and really small gun kit), in my bedroll.That's just my way.I find it all comfy,easy to carry.It doesn't take up too much room.But that's just me.
Cullen Smith

[amazingkenneth]

Can Openers?

Hello All,
Question for the day that I really would love to find out about is can openers used 1700's, 1800's......I know this is an item many forget about but anyone have some info or picks of?

Thanks,
K.J. Reihl

[1stMaine]

Re: Can Openers?

Comrade,

Try here:

http://www.authentic-campaigner.com/forum/showthread.php?t=2633&highlight=openers

I just went up to the tool bar, typed the words can opener into the space, and found this thread. It was amazing, Kenneth:)
Respects,

[markj]

Re: Can Openers?

Yep, we had a pretty extended conversation on this subject some months ago. Since then, I've checked various U.S. Navy contract bid solicitations in the "United States Army & Navy Journal": they show requests to purchase "can openers" going back to at least August 1863 or earlier.
Regards,

Mark Jaeger

[Alamo Guard]

Re: Haversack Packing

Hmmmmmmmm, I guess Im the odd ball here? I have a real antique rolled edge tin plate that goes in the very back of my haversack for support. Meat items on the bottom (alot of dried sausages, salt horse, or dried beef). Veggies in the middle and the coffee and sugar on the top. My tin can boiler on the strap. It also serves as a cup. One less thing to drag along.
In the pack goes, extra ammo, pair of socks, extra shirt, sleeping cap, a period rag (variety of uses in the camp), and a small cleaning kit. If I still have room may pack a bit extra food like bulk chocolate or seasonal correct fruit.

[flattop32355]

Re: Haversack Packing

I usually put my canteen half to the inside of the bag, with utensils under the bag. Since I've heard both ways as to which is more correct for cup location (inside or out), I often put it in the bag and stuff as many poke sacks of salt, cornmeal, etc. as will fit in it; it keeps them protected and upright so they don't spill as much and doesn't just waste space. Since I don't drink coffee, a tea block or nothing but water and some cone sugar. Hard crackers and pork in sacks. Any stray vegetables or fruit of the correct season of the year fill in the available gaps. A Huck towel can go either in the bottom or the knapsack, depending on how "ripe" it gets.

If loaded for the long march, it can get quite stuffed, but not with knapsack/pocket items. It is, after all, the soldier's pantry, not his closet.

[79th N.Y.S.M.]

Re: Haversack Packing

Hey Alamo thats what I do nice thinkin! :tounge_sm

Im going on a 23(ish) march in a few days and yes it does make sence to put the least amount of stuff as possable in it. And to the people who are says... Well we should do it how the the "Real guys" did it...Chances are if we are trying it..they tried it too.

[John E. Tobey]

Re: Can Openers?

The majority of original cans I've seen recovered from camp sites don't appear to have been opened using a purpose-built can opener. Find Stanley Philip's two books on excavated artifacts...they show some good photos of cans with crudely hacked holes in the ends.

On page 180 of Philip's "Excavated Artifacts from Battlefields and Campsites of the Civil War, Supplement 1", he shows a dug can opener. I would think they must have been relatively rare items, since they show up infrequently in recovered material culture.

Relic hunter Art Henshaw wrote an article for the old 6th PRC newsletter that described the opening-marks left on relic cans. He claimed that cans containing liquid (primarily condensed milk cans -- a very common find on campsites) usually had a pair of holes punched with a bayonet, and that cans containing solids were usually sliced open with a pocketknife but sometimes with something more like a hatchet!

I've included a photo of an original can that was opened with a pocketknife. The cat is a reproduction.

John Tobey

[JACKSONVC]

Re: Haversack Packing

Richard,
I agree with your thinking, and so did the army. Officers were required to inspect soldiers to see if they were carrying the proper stuff. Soldiers have a tendancy to overburden themselves with junk. They will pick up anything and try to haul it around. Look at the early war accounts of soldiers discarding all kinds of junk on the marches. I've even read about soldiers discarding overcoats on the march, and that is an issue item. I have also read that they cut down blankets in the summer to lighten them. Having been in the army and having made some really long marches over an extended period of time, I have seen soldiers throw away ammunition, food, equipment just to make it. Our NCOs and Officers are really attentive to what we carry and how its is packed. I guess lessons learned from history.