Haversacks

[dixieflyer]

Gentlemen,
What are y'all going to be using for haversacks at this event. While I admit that a plain cotton CS issue haversack is little more than an envelope with a shoulder strap, and is most likely of a civilian design, I wondering if carrying one would be . . .just too CS for our purposes?

Small items like this are keeping me from feeling too warm and fuzzy about my impression for that weekend.

[Daniel]

Re: Haversacks

Hi Warren, To my knowledge we have not received any regulations on the haversacks . But for now I am planning on carrying a CS plain cotton haversack. I am not feeling too warm and fuzzy regarding my impression either.

Dan Stewart

[Jon The Beloved]

Re: Haversacks

I'm thinking a medium sized ration drawstring bag tied high upon my person. Either attached securely to my belt or attached securely to my tumpline blanket roll and strap. Just some ideas. I imagine that your positive participation is desired more than whether or not your plain haversack is CS issue pattern or civilian. The accounts show that few items if at all were 'issued' at this early stage of the regimental history.

[dixieflyer]

Re: Haversacks

Oh Jon, I'm going to participate, no worries there! :) I'm just wanting to field the best impression possible for the scenario, that's all. I like your idea of a large ration bag of sorts. In my previous iteration(s) of a 19th c. civilian I was never far from home and therefore never had to think in terms of carrying any victuals, comustibles, stuff, or things, and I'm trying as much as possible to not carry something that looks "issue".

Dan, I have to figure that most CS haversacks are just some kind of variation on a previous civilian theme, no?

Going to harvest some pears from a period tree for the event this week.

[JordanRicketts]

Re: Haversacks

For what is worth the KSG did order a few hundred cotton haversacks out of Louisville. I will have to dig out the documentation when I get home...

[dixieflyer]

Re: Haversacks

Thanks Jordan, that helps! Can we assume they were simple cotton envelopes like later CS issue bags? (Yes, I know it's always dangerous to assume!)

[Matt Woodburn]

Re: Haversacks

Warren,

Your pears wouldn't be any of the fine KY grown Seckel pears decended from the 18th century Pennsylvania orchardist by that name would they? They are my favorite.

[Jon The Beloved]

Re: Haversacks

Well, to be a bit picky, All: Few if any of these men in these particular companies traveling from Camp Boone, TN, would have been Kentucky State Guardsmen.. even though others in the later formed regiment were found in some number among those ranks before the war. Now, surely there were likely SOME exceptions to the rule. I would say, ideally, we fledgling infantrymen would have as little arsenal/issue items as possible.

Looking ahead to this opportunity to follow the journals of the Community at South Union during the endcap months of 1861. See you there!

[dixieflyer]

Re: Haversacks

Matt, I don't know, and I would love for someone to identify the tree for me. Should I post a pic of the fruit? I offered a mess up to Kaelin, and he told me to just bring them to the event, (Warren slaps head, D'oh!) which is really the best idea, sorry I didn't think of it. I hope they keep, they come off the tree hard, but I hear if you put them in a brown paper bag, they will soften up nicely. (I acquired to brown paper bags today, the rest I will wrap in newspaper. If I bring you a mess, does that mean I get the cherry slots at guard duty for the next year?) the farm we had growing up had a pear tree my dad swore was 100-125 if it was a day. You couldn't reach around it, and was hollow on the inside. Only bore every other year it was so old, but the fruit from that thing . . . my word, I've never had a pear so good. Sorry, I digress . .

Jon, I'm really trying to make an effort to look as if I came straight off the farm with no issue equipment, accoutrements, etc. at all.