the haversack

[Spinster]

Re: the haversack

Where do you find a period correct pillow case?

Directions are in The Workwoman's Guide, available on line through Google Books, right around page 180-182 . Measurements for such are around page 178.


http://books.google.com/books?vid=0z...,+1838#PPP1,M1

Like many things in this wonderful book, it assumes that we have walking around sense in the first half of the 19th century, and therefore does not tell us everything we want to know.

Reading of other parts of the book brings the conclusion that linen was the preferred fabric for such things, even if one is only making sheets for the servants.

Having spent the last couple of years on various projects that come under the heading of 'fun with linen', I can say there is a world of difference in how linen performs, as oppossed to cotton, in adverse conditions.

[benjclark]

Re: the haversack

Wow! Thank you for sharing this resource! There's a lot to take in, but a lot of it information I didn't even know I didn't know!

[Spinster]

Re: the haversack

:D I've owned this book in hard copy for a number of years--and find something new every time I open it.

I'm especially fond of the cutting guides to make six identical man's shirts from a length of linen. But the waggonners smock has been in my work pile for some time....

[51stNCVCo.K]

Re: the haversack

In The Workmans Guide How does the "nail" compare to the inch?

[ElizabethClark]

Re: the haversack

It's there in the text, but buried a bit.

A nail is 1/16 of a yard, or 2.25".

Here's the breakdown:

Yard: 36"
Half-yard: 18"
Quarter-yard: 9"
Eighth-yard: 4.5"
Sixteenth-yard: 2.25"

And just for fun, a British "ell" of cloth is 45"... another measure that works of of increment of 9".

You can make your own nail tape by marking 1, 2, 3, etc at 2.25" intervals, then dividing up the spaces between into half-nails, quarter-nails, etc. It's far easier to make and use a nail tape or nail ruler than to re-do the math every time.

[51stNCVCo.K]

Re: the haversack

Thanks Mrs. Clark

[Emma Bilgewater]

Re: the haversack

Here is a picture of a Christian Commission group, and the fellow leaning on the pole appears to have some sort of haversack-looking bag.

http://civilwartalk.com/Photos/showphoto.php/photo/241/size/big/cat/

Not a refugee, of course, but a civilian it appears, in a non-hunting venue. :)

Regards,
Janet Wragge

[benjclark]

Re: the haversack

I had an idea to search for images of immigrants around this time, thinking they may have haversacks. There may also be a class issue here, but am not sure. I didn't find much. THere is an old woman at the right in this image who looks like she has a haversack: http://memory.loc.gov/service/pnp/cp...0/3c05528v.jpg. This was published in Harper's Weekly in 1874. Honestly, only one haversack-ish bag with all these people is pretty instructive. Lots of bundles, several baskets. I'm looking for good image stashes of Mormon immigrants in the later 1860s...

[PogueMahone]

Re: the haversack

Here is a picture of a Christian Commission group, and the fellow leaning on the pole appears to have some sort of haversack-looking bag.

http://civilwartalk.com/Photos/showphoto.php/photo/241/size/big/cat/

Not a refugee, of course, but a civilian it appears, in a non-hunting venue. :)

Regards,
Janet Wragge

No doubt a satchel full of pamphlets to hand out to soldiers. It reminded me of an image I've seen of a newspaper peddlar with bag full of newspapers. It can be seen here: Alfred Waud if'n you scroll down a bit and look to the right side of the page.

[OlszowyTM]

Re: the haversack

Another compilation book with a look at refugees and displaced persons & what they carried, in addition to Massey’s books, that may be of interest is:

Trials & Triumphs, The Women of the Civil War, by Marilyn Mayer Culpepper

Re: the USCC pic, here is a passage from:
Gettysburg and the Christian Commission, Daniel J. Hoisington, A Delegate’s Dairy, pg 74:
“ ...he stopped in Philadelphia, to visit the national headquarters of the Commission... here the Commission issued its standard delegate kit: a haversack, rubber ground blanket, a tin cup and a leather bound journal. This volume included instructions for the delegates and blank pages for entries...”

Given the context, I probably would not consider pics of USCC agents or personnel in those pics with haversacks as support for use in other civilian venues, especially for women, as the haversack is given a specific use, by a specific person, for a specific role within the USCC.

Now for some consideration of potential “luggage” pieces, here is what some period publications have to say:

Beadle’s Guide to Dress Making- pg 52 –Traveling Toilet- Most of the advice centers around appropriate dress materials, but there are some take away gems for the ladies;
“ Jackets from the facility which they offer for having a great number of pockets, as well as keeping a person warmer than round bodies do, continue to be fashionable for traveling...”
“We confess a prejudice in favor of an abundance of pockets in every garment destined for travel wear”

The Workwoman’s Guide,
Chap IX pg 208, On Covers & Cases, This section includes patterns for a: nightgown bag, traveling case or tidy, shoe brush or comb bag, boot bag, nursery bag, trunk case, seaman/travelers case ( “This sort of case is very useful for men in all classes when traveling and for school boys”), gentlemen’s traveling dressing case.

All are discussed with an air of commonality for use in traveling. I would also comment on the term “seaman”. Living in the Finger Lakes area of NY, my thoughts turn to the significant amount of maritime activity on the lakes, as well as, the canals that were prolific and given the fair amount of riverboats, this may provide a source of “photographic” evidence.

Continuing in the Workwomans Guide Chap VI, pg 121- General Observations on Packing- It is worth getting a copy to read the whole text, but here’s a nugget-
“carpet bags should be purchased with large gores at the sides, as when thus made, they contain many more articles and more conveniently than when they are only two plain pieces of carpet....when the party sleep several nights on the road, it is advisable to have a large carpet bag containing the night dress of each individual packed up in night gown bags, dressing tidies...(see above)..in packing a carpet bag it is well to roll every thing possible in small compact parcels....”

There is also a discussion of the best method of folding/prepping gentlemen’s clothing for travel that has some insight on how folks traveled.

Carpet bags have their own lineage of authenticity discussions. I own 3 different original carpet bags (2 with the gussets & 1 of flat pieces as per above descriptions) & all 3 are made from Brussels carpet. The one made of flat pieces is made in the manner of an “envelope” that resembles a haversack in size and shape, about as much as a military sack resembles a civilian sack, meaning it lacks many of the design characteristics of the typical military haversack (i.e. bottom gussets, long straps, leather/roller buckle closure). The handle is a piece of ¾ ” covered rope that is about 12” long and looks like a short purse strap. It certainly is not designed to be worn over the shoulder. With the exception of one, I believe Kathryn Coombs found, made from ingrain carpet, all the other original carpet bags I’ve examined were made from Brussels as well. Greg & Lisa Pace have support for some painted cloth & the pics I have seen of painted bags were in specific cases, such as mail bags or were associated with a military use. So what to use?

While ingrain carpet has been seen in one case, to avoid overrepresenting an item, my personal packing choices at present includes the use of a rather large basket for my “weekend” survival items (wooden bowl, candle stubs, food etc), a small wooden case for my sewing implements & a project to work on and clothing(w/ extra blankets depending on weather) wrapped, folded & tied in a heavy cloak that doubles as a blanket. Awkward to carry, yes, luxurious, no, but functional and “disappear” as normal every day items when structures are available. I have also used pails as “luggage” since they represent a triple threat—carrying case, water pail and a stool to keep me from sitting on the ground, especially when the ground is wet. On several ocassions, a small 2 wheel pushcart & either a copper boiler or wooden tub to hold items was used and the bed of the cart became my “roof” for the night, allowing me to pick up & move about as necessary.
Do I have hard evidence to support this as a method of travel, no, but the items utilized are practical, common everyday items, with no identifiable military usage, that would be found in most period households. When fixed structures are not available & the parking lot is not far, I retreat to the confines of the truck for the evening or rely on the good graces of friends who allow me to crash under their flies.

[PogueMahone]

Re: the haversack

Terri,

Thanks for the quotes! How one would pack for a normal trip of a couple of days would obviously impact how one would pack for a hasty exit.

I agree that a carpetbag is the most likely "luggage" of the refugee. Is anyone making a really good reproduction anymore?

I used to have an antique carpet bag and I really wish I knew what I've done with it. It was not like any other I've seen. It had no lock, closing only with a ribbon tie.

[PogueMahone]

Re: the haversack

I really meant to post this over the weekend with the book in front of me, but of course I got distracted by some other post and forgot until today ...

I'm currently reading "Campaigns of a Non-Combatant", by George Alfred Townsend, a reporter during the CW. Townsend tells of riding out to his assignment from Washington, D.C., and stopping along the way at a tavern where the proprietor attempted to sell him a raincoat, but Townsend "settled on a haversack" full of food. He states in the next sentence that the haversack did not last the day. The man he purchased this from was a civilian running a tavern adjacent to a garrison camp and the customers were all officers and soldiers. My guess is the man was making up these haversacks himself, since the quality was obviously doubtful.

Townsend later observes a reporter from a New York paper whose equipments were much superior to his own and he desired to improve his position with another newspaper at the first opportunity. Townsend was working for a London journal at first, but was quickly fired when he penned an article freelance for another paper.

[OlszowyTM]

Re: the haversack

Joe-
Did he mean the the haversack materially did not last the day or perhaps the contents did not last the day, in much the same way soldiers would consume several days rations wuch more quickly than intended?

[PogueMahone]

Re: the haversack

"... at once proposed to sell me a bootjack and an India-rubber overcoat. I compromised upon a haversack, which he filled with sandwiches and sardines, and which I am bound to say fell apart in the course of the afternoon."

Seems pretty certain the haversack self-destructed.

[Abrams]

Re: the haversack

I know this is a discussion of Haversacks in relation to civilian uses, and thought this a good time to ask about the use of Market Wallets.

I hand sewed a Market Wallet for use in a civilian impression after reading about them on this website, where they also discuss Haversacks. I made it to the size they describe there. (http://www.18cnewenglandlife.org/18cnel/wallets.htm)

I know that these were used more during the late 1700's but surely some people continued their use?

I found this quote "The Market Wallet In the collection of Historic Bethlehem Inc. is a late 18th or early 19th century (1790-1840) Market wallet. Recently purchased for the museum at an auction in Lancaster County, PA the wallet is now on display in the Sebastian Goundie House." (http://www.crookedtreefarm.com/histo...et/wallet.html)

So as late as the 1840's it seems that market wallets may have still been used by some. My experience with mine has shown it to be a valuable and handy way to carry items. I am not sure I would just replace it with a haversack had I lived back then, unless society pressures like Hank mentioned would cause it.

Has anyone seen proof or heard of the market wallet still in use by the 1860's?