Knapsacks on Caissons

[signalman]

I used the search feature and read the thread on "knapsacks and Artillerymen." Someone attached a drawing to their post that showed knapsacks strapped to the rear of the caisson. Does anyone know where I could find any primary accounts that describe or reference the practice? Thank you in advance for your help.

Regards,
Jay Roger

[UnionMan]

Re: Knapsacks on Caissons

I've attached a photograph of a colored Light Artillery Battery unloading on the banks of Vicksburg, which may show the practice described in this thread. Much of the gear on the carriages appears to be for the horses...but I cannot tell for sure. If anybody would like the high resolution TIF for better analysis, email me and I can get it to you.

It's one of my favorite photographs...

-Tad

[K Bartsch]

Re: Knapsacks on Caissons

I've attached a photograph of a colored Light Artillery Battery unloading on the banks of Vicksburg, which may show the practice described in this thread. Much of the gear on the carriages appears to be for the horses...but I cannot tell for sure. If anybody would like the high resolution TIF for better analysis, email me and I can get it to you.

It's one of my favorite photographs...

-Tad

Tad,
That's harness piled on those vehicles. They're trying to keep it out of the mud.

Now, wih regards to the knapsack question...the manuals state they should be strapped to the footboards if not worn by their owners.

Cordially,

[Yellowhammer]

Re: Knapsacks on Caissons

Which manual? Do you have the citation? That would be very useful to me if you have it.

[Jefferson Guards]

Re: Knapsacks on Caissons

John,

I haven't seen it in a manual yet, but I have not really looked into Gilham's section on artillery yet. I have however seen it in numerous general and special orders issued by Hunt and others. I have one here somewhere which also includes suggestions as to rates of fire. As soon as I find it I will post it. It really is a gem!

[K Bartsch]

Re: Knapsacks on Caissons

Which manual? Do you have the citation? That would be very useful to me if you have it.

French, Barry and Hunt but I don't have my copy with me for the citation. It may be in Andrews as well but I'd have to check to be sure. The SGLHA site has a link to an online FB&H but I couldn't get it to work.
I'll look it up this evening and post.

As an aside, it is the most practical place for them when not on the backs of the cannoneers since its the only place they don't get in the way, -- as opposed to atop ammunition boxes or strapped to the spare wheel - although we're pretty certain the spare wheel was used despite the guidance to use the footboards.

Cordially,

[mladair]

Re: Knapsacks on Caissons

I'm not 100% sure this link will work, but here is French, Berry,et al. online at Making of America (Univeristy of Michigan):

http://www.hti.umich.edu/cgi/t/text/...R6616.0001.001

[RyanBWeddle]

Re: Knapsacks on Caissons

FYI, p. 348 HBF

[signalman]

Re: Knapsacks on Caissons

Thanks for all your help. I will look through the links and attachment. I started reading Gibbon's artillery manual but have not run into any references to this practice yet. Mr. Salyards, That's a great photo, thanks for posting it. Again, thanks for all your help so far.

Regards,
Jay Roger

[hta1970]

Re: Knapsacks on Caissons

I pulled out my copy of Andrews' "Mounted Artillery Drill." On page 146 he states "The knapsacks of the cannoneers are strapped to on the footboards of the ammunition-chests. If the inspector wishes to examine the clothing of the men on the field, the knapsacks and valises will be unstrapped, laid at the feet of the men, and opened, the drivers being dismounted for the purpose.

But on page 158-160 of the appendix are the Standing Orders for Andrews' Battalion dated March 31, 1863. Page 160 states: "Baggage must not be placed on the limbers of caissons. Cooking utensils and blankets must be carried on the company wagon, also knapsacks, or on the backs of men; none of these articles shall be carried on limbers or caissons.

It appears that though Andrews copied largely from French, Berry and Hunt, which was first written before the war, his standing orders for his battalion reflect the realities of campaigning and his experience as a Battery Commander, Division Artillery Chief, and Battalion Commander. The Battalion Standing Order carries the weight of command.

[sedlakchristopher]

Re: Knapsacks on Caissons

Hey guys,
Let me point out Gen. Hunt's 1864 order #5 again from another post I have quoted below. It says, in black and white, that the knapsacks and where the guys put them where such an issue the the Big Bug himself wrote an official order about it. Interesting about what he has to say!
Best wishes,
Chris Sedlak


The post below highlights an order issued in 1864 by Gen. Hunt (Order #5) that dealt with the issue of knapsacks, what to put in them, and where they were to go on the limbers so as not to exhaust the horses.
Apparently, carrying too much stuff was enough of a problem in Gen. Hunt's artillery that the good General himself posted an order to solve it.
Check out Section #1 of the order. This may give you a very good idea, albeit for a knapsack, what the artilleryman may have carried in a blanket roll, which after all, was a replacement for the knapsack.

http://www.authentic-campaigner.com/...llery+knapsack

Search the AC for "artillery knapsack" and you'll get some other good posts.

Happy campaigning!

Your obedient servant,
Chris Sedlak
1st PA Light, Bty G
__________________



Seems like the link isn't working, here is a copy and paste.... Brian Koenig posted the original, thanks!

Geneal Order No. 5 (1864)

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Another interesting order from Headquarters


[Inclosure No. 3.]

GENERAL ORDERS No. 5.
ARTY. HDQRS., ARMY OF THE POTOMAC,

April 11, 1864.

1. For the campaign, the knapsack carried on the ammunition chest will not contain more than the following-named articles: One-half shelter-tent, one wool blanket, one poncho, one jacket or blouse, one pair drawers, two pair stockings, two shirts, one pair trousers. The excess of the kits over these articles will be carried by the owner, and the amount of clothing to be packed in the knapsacks may be reduced at the discretion of the brigade commander. The great coat will be carried by the owner.

2. Haversacks and canteens will not be carried on the carriages; they must be carried by the men.

3. Not more than four knapsacks will be transported on the gun carriage, battery wagon and forge, and not more than eight on the caisson. The excess of the number of knapsacks must be carried by the men, or their transportation otherwise provided for.

4. The knapsacks and paulins must be so packed and arranged as to offer no impediment to the service of the guns, or to the prompt procurement of ammunition.

5. The gunner and chief of caisson will, under direction of the chief of the piece, be responsible for the proper loading of these articles on their respective carriages, and that no more than the number allowed are carried. The excess will be thrown off on the road, the knapsacks of the gunner and chief of caisson being the first to be thrown away.

6. In packing the limbers the knapsacks must be packed as closely as possible to the chests, so as not to throw the weight on the pole.

7. The loading of the forage wagons, of which three are allowed to each battery, must be strictly attended to, and the battery commanders and brigade quartermasters will each, when the wagons are under his charge, be responsible that these wagons are loaded with forage exclusively.

8. The full weight of forage must be secured, as the campaign allowance of ten pounds a day is the minimum on which a horse can do his work. The minimum load to start with is 2,760 pounds of grain, being six days' supply for the wagon teams and two days' supply for the battery horses. If the roads are good, this load may be increased to 3,220 pounds, which will give seven days' forage for the battery horses and forage wagon teams. The other wagons, ambulances, &c., carry the forage for their own teams.

9. In drawing forage from the depot, care must be taken that the full weight of grain is obtained. The quartermaster who receipts for the forage is responsible for this, and must take the necessary measures to secure the full amount he receipts for. If unable to get it, he will promptly report the cause to his commanding officer, and in time to rectify it. No subsequent excuse will be received.

10. In no case will any grain be carried on the artillery carriages until the forage wagons are loaded with seven days' supply. When the wagons cannot carry this amount any forage on the artillery carriages would overload them.

11. When a battery is separated from its brigade and wagons, one days' forage may be carried on the carriages, viz, one bag on each carriage, to be packed so as not to throw its weight on the pole. In feeding it out, the heaviest carriage to be first unloaded.

12. Forage wagons should not be separated from their batteries when it is possible to avoid it, except when the brigade marches together, when the wagons may be with the brigade train, but ready to be detached with their batteries at a moment's warning. Should it be necessary to send the forage wagons to the rear, or leave them behind with the trains when the batteries move, it will be so stated specially in the order and instructions given for the supply of forage from day to day. As the packing of grain on horses injures the latter, one forage wagon should, if possible, always accompany each battery.

13. Great care must be taken in feeding. To feed from the ground occasions great waste, and the dirt eaten by the horses with it is injurious. In the absence of nose-bags horses must be fed from boxes, or cloths, or by hand. The grain left in the nose-bag or otherwise by the horse, must be collected and fed to him, if necessary, by hand.

14. Battery commanders should frequently allow their batteries to pass them on the march, carefully inspecting the horses, carriages, and men. The same rule is applicable to chiefs of sections and of pieces in their respective commands, in order to enforce the observance of all orders.

15. The drivers must not be allowed to lounge, to cross their legs over the horses' necks, or to needlessly punish them. The cannoneers must be kept at their posts or opposite them on the side of the road, and no straggling will be permitted. They are liable to be called on at any moment, either for service or to aid in getting the carriages through difficult places.

16. Special attention is called to paragraph 13 and following of General Orders, No. 2, of January 15, 1864, from these headquarters, respecting the loading of the artillery carriages and watering the horses on the march.(*)

By command of Brigadier-General Hunt:
JNO. N. CRAIG,
Assistant Adjutant-General.
__________________
Brian Koenig

[marine05]

Re: Knapsacks on Caissons

Chris,

That order if pretty explicit, thanks for posting,

Dan