Prevent battle injury by using bullet-proof blankets (according to one Texan):

[Shockoe Hill Cats]

In preparing for the Gaines' Mill Living History next year (*hint hint*), I came across a soldier of the 4th Texas Infantry known only as "Austin" in a Richmond, Va. newspaper. He writes:

"It will be noticed that more wounds are in the left arm than in any other part of the body. If our troops will wind a common blanket around the left arm up to the elbow, it would not only shelter the arm effectually but this most vital part of the body, in loading, firing or charging. The weight would cause little inconvenience, as the left arm is little used in loading.

The possession of the blanket to rest on the battle field in a rainy cold night would be most opportune. Several of our men came out untouched, with evidences on the blankets they happened to have hanging on their shoulders that the blankets saved them. This precaution would greatly reduce the number of our wounded, and more so the number of killed."

• Austin, "Enquirer's Correspondence". Richmond Enquirer, July 4, 1862 (Richmond, VA).

[Wild Rover]

Re: Prevent battle injury by using bullet-proof blankets (according to one Texan):

This kinda goes with the period sketches one finds of soldiers wearing a blanket roll across one should and their ground cloth in a like style across the other. Wonder if the reasons behind such were to stop a stray bullet at long distance as well as making the load easier?

[Curt Schmidt]

Re: Prevent battle injury by using bullet-proof blankets (according to one Texan):

Hallo!

An interesting notion, especially with the accounts of pocket bibles, pocket watches, etc. slowling down spent rounds. Such as Lt. George Dixon's legendary gold coin.

There are also similar stories in history, such as Robert Rogers of F & I War ranger fame who had a spent ball "stopped" by his hair queue ribbon tie. Or, in the 1790's, ranger/spy Hamilton Kerr catching a spent Indian round in the folds or rolls of the blanket on his knapsack.

Interesting comment about left-arm hits. I envision the left-arm blocking "center mass" when aiming and firing, or loading for that matter.

Curt

[Pumpkinslinger]

Re: Prevent battle injury by using bullet-proof blankets (according to one Texan):

It makes sense that more injuries during the loading process were in the left arm/side, but I imagine more blankets were perforated by bullets than stopped them. Anything can happen, but I want something to work everytime, every other time is not good enough.

[john duffer]

Re: Prevent battle injury by using bullet-proof blankets (according to one Texan):

"but I want something to work everytime, every other time is not good enough."

Unfortunately I think sure things were pretty limited. :) I've seen references to men holding skillets in front of them as they advanced but since you can always be hit in the face or foot just as easily (or mowed down by a cannon ball) it all seems like wishful thinking.

[itz3r1k]

Re: Prevent battle injury by using bullet-proof blankets (according to one Texan):

i have read several cases of men taking there blanket's winding them and sticking it in from of themselves. they talk about how when they unroll the blanket bullets pour out.

[Curt Schmidt]

Re: Prevent battle injury by using bullet-proof blankets (according to one Texan):

Hallo!

Then too, i am thinking of rhetorical devices and allegorical writing techniques.

For example, IIRC, in the unpublished memoirs of Nicholas Pomeroy of Company "A," of the 5th Texas, he talks about the 5th's failed assault on Little Round Top where if you held out your hat, it would get filled with bullets (Note: not bullet holes).

Curt