whatzzit?

[John E. Tobey]

Re: whatzzit?

Yeah, it's front the Library of Congress. I'm not at work right now, so I don't have the index number...if you can't find it via their search engine, give me a holler and I'll look it up.

John Tobey

[1stMaine]

Re: whatzzit?

Comrades,

Absent a clearer image or further data, I would feel comfortable in calling that a medical knapsack, or, as it is often erroneously referred to, a "hospital steward's case".

There were many and varied types of these cases, some purpose-built, and others field-modified, all of which were of a basic square or boxish shape, having a flap or door on the right hand side to gain access to a set of drawers or compartments, and usually a top entrance as well.

These were primarily designed to be carried as a knapsack , and often had provision for a waistbelt as well to relive the strain of carriage. They weighed, when loaded, between 18-20 pounds, and carried bandages, lint, sponges, basic medicines, tourniquests, suture material, and other such items as the surgeon might wish to have on hand for basic needs. Think of it as the early verison of a paramedic's kit bag.

Now, as to the sword, this knapsack was designed to be carried by an enlisted man detached from the battalion for the singular purpose of carrying the knapsack. he was to accompany the surgeon or assistant surgeon, his own knapsack being carried on the ambulance or medical wagon attached to the battalion. Thus, it's perfectly proper for this man to have a weapon. he's not a non-combatant, just a "knapsack toter" as one CS Surgeon put it.

That this knapsack may be made or modified to use a shoulder strap is of no surprise to me, as many variations existed. the idea was to protect the medicines and bandage material from the elements, and have it close at hand when needed.

Trusting that this helps, I remain,

Respectfully,

[pipthelimey]

Re: whatzzit?

Look under "Hospital Knapsack" in Volume I of Lords. The picture is of the "Regulation Field Medicine Case" and it has a shoulder strap.

"...carried a limited supply of anaesthetics (sic), styptics, stimulants, and anodynes, and material for primary dressings. This hospital knapsack was of the model of 1859. It was made of light wood, 18 inches tall, 15 inches wide, and 7 1/2" inches deep. Later the wood knapsack was replaced by one of wickerwork, covered with canvas or enamelled (sic) cloth. Weight when filled, 18 pounds."

It looks as if he is carrying it reversed, with the buckles to his body, or else you would be able to determine which pattern it is. The 1859 had two buckles, but I do not know how many the subsequent models had. The 1859 was the tallest, (which is why that is my guess) and over time they incrementally got shorter over the course of the war.

Andrew Jerram

[1stMaine]

Re: whatzzit?

Comrade,

Here is a view of one type of case

http://www.geocities.com/hospital_steward/ImageFieldCase.html?1078381069687

Of particular interest is the fact that the tins accompanying it are in green japan finish, rather than black. This time period also had blue, red and even pink japan finishes available, but seeing how green was becoming the official army nedical department colour, it's interesting to note these.

Here are the more "typical" tins:

http://www.geocities.com/hospital_steward/ImagesTins1

Here are images of another version of the medical knapsack:

http://www.warplay.com/Medical_Display3.jpg

And here: Scroll about 2/3 way down

http://civilwarhome.com/medicalstaff.htm

Surprisingly, this is a very accurate reproduction, except for the use of nylon rather than linen thread, and lacquered brass rather than plain. I own one, and it compares VERY favorably with the two originals I examined. I replaced the thread and fittings with proper materials.

http://www.dlwleathers.com/Pages/ProductDetails.asp?ProductID=511

Hopefully these images will give you some idea of the various designs in use. these are not exclusionary, and as I posted earlier, there were many variations from commercial made to field modified.

Respects,

[GeraldTodd]

Re: whatzzit?

Out of curiousity - they used some sort of dial-up telegraph machine during the Chancellorsville campaign. I never saw one, but by the description it sounded about the right size to fit in such a case.

In the context of the image, it may be a medical case, but I thought it probably some sort of portable office - a CW laptop if you will.