Confederate grain bags

[agintomboy]

Does anyone have info regarding the construction of confederate grain bags? I am looking for info regarding material, dimensions, configuration, placement on the saddle, etc. Photos would be great if you know of any. Thanks!

Anita L. Henderson

[Ken Knopp]

Re: Confederate grain bags

Anita,

Sorry, I will probably not be of much help but I have tried. I remember seeing several references to “grain bags” in my research on CS saddlery but since that was not a primary focus for me at the time I did not catalog the information. Nevertheless, after looking through my book MADE IN THE CSA- SADDLE MAKERS OF THE CONFEDERACY and digging through some of my old records I found two makers of grain bags for the Confederacy.


CASE, GEORGE V. & Co. Richmond, & Charlottesville, Va.
As one of the War Department’s largest suppliers, Case & Co. supplied the Confederate Ordnance and Quartermaster Departments with a variety of cavalry bits, saddles, harness and other supplies. However, its largest deliveries were to the Richmond Arsenal for bridles, halters and halter-bridles.

From January to August 1862, Case contracted for and supplied the Quartermaster Department with a large number of "Padded Pack Saddles"and ambulance harness. During this same period Case apparently purchased from the government a large number of buckles, roller buckles, duck cloth, osnaburg, bits and harness to be utilized in this production. Then beginning in Feb. 1863, Case discontinued making pack saddles for the Quartermaster and began manufacturing only cavalry bridles and “bridle halters” for the Richmond Arsenal.
On February 28, 1863, Case & Co. proposed to the Richmond Arsenal to supply 10,000 halters "as per sample furnished", 5,000 bridle halters and five thousand "single ring" halters. On the 24th of March, a contract was signed for 5,000 bridles at $12 each and two thousand halters at $10 each. At about this same time, a large number of "bridle buckles" were purchased from the Ordnance Department for this production. It is not clear if all of the contract obligations were entirely fulfilled but deliveries by the firm cease by September. Later in the war, additional contracts with the arsenal by Case & Co. were for bridles, halters and bridle halters and a few cavalry saddles but again, deliveries are vague.
Records, although probably incomplete, indicate total production by Case & Company at 254 cavalry saddles, 1045 pack saddles, 5,839 cavalry bridles and 624 halter bridles, 1,442 halters, 170 bits including 26 bridoon and 8 "Japanned" bits and, 1380 grain bags. (MADE IN THE CSA- pg. 31)

**A dig into my archives found no additional information about the grain bags however, the duck or osnaburg would likely have been used in making the grain bags- likely the osnaburg.


GIBBES, JAMES G. CO. Columbia, S.C. and Charleston, S.C.
The James Gibbes Company is believed to have conducted a very extensive general manufacturing operation during the war particularly in military cloth goods including hats, uniforms, tents and grain bags. Local history states that at one point this firm made up to 50,000 uniforms and employed 35 tailors and 1,200 women seamstresses- allegedly utilizing only one sewing machine. Gibbes & Co. also operated their own tan yard to procure leather for making boots, shoes, saddles and harness for the army. Documented Ordnance Department contracts for horse equipment production is limited but does include a September 18, 1863 contract for 201 saddles of unknown configuration and some grain bags (477) made on August 15, 1862.

** Additional research shows Gibbes clearly was receiving alot of “duck” and “osnaburg” materials from the CS gov. to help them fulfill their contracts one might speculate that either or both might have been used for the grain bags- again, likely the osnaburg. (MADE IN THE CSA, Pg. 62)

Confederate Ordnance (& arsenal) officers were largely recruited from the pre war Federal Ordnance Department. With that experience and from war time directives these men generally tended to try to duplicate the common practices employed by the Federal army. I am not aware of a war-time Federal issue grain bag but I think some grain bags of some kind were made for pre-war Dragoon troops although others with more information about Federal regulations might be better suited to answer this question. Any one?
After the war, in 1872, the US Army provided a “Forage Sack” ....”To be made of planter’s linen, 24" long, and bottom 7" in diameter: to be tied with a choke string; to hold fifteen pounds of oats; is to be secured over the cantle by the cantle straps.”
Also.... a “Saddle Cloth”: “...a piece of cotton duck, No. 6, 28" by 30" be issued to each solder, to be carried over the lanket and under the saddle when on the march. This can be spread to receive the ration of grain, when feeding, and also be used to cover the saddle and its trappings when at res or in the stable. .....” (Randy Steffen, Vol. II Pg 164)

Sorry so long and that I could not be of better assistance,

Ken R Knopp

[agintomboy]

Re: Confederate grain bags

Dear Ken:

Sorry for the delay, was at Gettysburg bugling for the 13th VA Cavalry, Co. H., Light Sussex Dragoons. Had a great time and still have all of my teeth, lol! Thank you so much for these reports, it at least gives me some measurements to go by to make them.

Anita

[Andrew German]

Re: Confederate grain bags

Hi Anita,

Regarding federal grain bags or forage sacks, a fairly formal style had been established by early 1864, and probably earlier. Several orders exist that require the troopers to make grain bags, either from sacking material or, in one case, from the extra shelter halves that some had drawn contrary to orders. The bags were to be about 30 inches long and 8-10 inches in diameter. Some seem to have had round ends stitched in; others were simply stitched flat at the ends. In form they were essentially a version of the colonial-era over-the-shoulder wallet. The opening was in the side seam and was simply a hemmed 11-inch void in the middle of that 30-inch seam. I've made a flat-ended one from a shelter half. Federals carried it on the cantle. It can be twisted to secure the openings, and the two pouches of feed lie lie almost like saddlebags.

Aonther option would be to take a flour sack, such as the handsome ones formerly produced by Heartland House, and lash that to your cantle.

Hope this helps.
Andrew German

[agintomboy]

Re: Confederate grain bags

Dear Andrew:

Thank you so much on the dimension info on the grain bags. This is a big help!

Anita

[T.Kern]

Re: Confederate grain bags

Does anyone have info regarding the construction of confederate grain bags? I am looking for info regarding material, dimensions, configuration, placement on the saddle, etc. Photos would be great if you know of any. Thanks!

Anita L. Henderson

Take a grain sack , such as produced by heartland house, sew the open end closed, cut a slit in the middle lengthwise, reinforce the opening. it lays over the cantle like a pair of civilian saddle bags and you can still attach a properly rolled blanket to the cantle. Or as prescribed in congdon's, use your oil cloth with a ration of grain in the middle, folded as the sleeping blanket it will close the pocket.
Todd Kern

[agintomboy]

Re: Confederate grain bags

Thanks Todd!

Anita