Knapsack Use In the AOT 1863-1864

[FloridaConscript]

Open up your Entrepot (what, you didn't get it?? awwww son, that's no good) to page 264.
"...Circular No.383 dated April 22, 1864, Gorgas transmitted the following request to his ordance officers in the field:"Please to advise as to the propriety of dispensing with knapsacks and substituting a light oil cloth six feet by three feet--so arranged as to be convertible into a shelter tent." <--Note, CS QM mentioning shelter tents

From Dalton, LC Oladowski forwarded the circular to his Division ordnance officers within the AOT with the request that "you will please call attention of the Brigade and regimental commanders to the above order and transmit as soon as practicable their different opinions." Few of the responses are extant, some from Clayton's brigade (AP Stewarts div) do.
The commanding officers of the 18th Ala, 38th Ala, and 32nd Ala, all supported the oilcloth over the knapsack. Clayton endorsed his commanders "I think the change proposed is advisable and should by all means be applied.

Brig. Gen. Randall Gibson was even more emphatic: "The oil cloth six feet by three feet is preferable to the knapsack in the field. Knapsacks are useless on active campaigns and the oil cloths should be carried and issued. I have been in the field since the war began and justifiably condemn knapsacks--they are totally unfit for [illeg] service". Post War Gorgas recalled that "in time, knapsacks were little thought of by the troops" and "were eventually voted out of order".

Ordnance Bureau circular No.42 dated May 24, 1864 Gorgas announced to the arsenals: "The manufacture of knapsacks will be discontinued, only those cut up will be made up. Existing contracts for knapsacks will be changed to furnishing enameled cloth or something else to save the contractor from loss. Instructions will shortly be issued as to a substitute for the knapsacks".

Webster goes on to mention several quarterly reports that reflect this.

[Mississippian]

Bryant,

Speaking of C.S. Shelter tents, I have seen a few isolated QM returns listing "shelter tents" in late war returns (Nov-Dec '64) in the NC/VA area, I know one was from a NC cavalry unit. I've only seen a couple.

Will MacDonald

[FloridaConscript]

Will,

Looks like the Qm may have been trying to kill 2 birds with 1 stone. a 6x3 oilcloth can be used in a couple of different ways.

[Mississippian]

Aside from a few early war issued to Louisiana troops I can't recall any "oilcloths" or "groundcloths" being issued. I seem to recall Magee and George made a good many up and sold them to Louisiana.

I'm thinking that these were shelter tents as in the Federal use of the term. I think there is a tent that belonged to a fellow named May in the 61st NC that some speculate is a late confederate effort to copy the federal article even though the QM was still issuing "A" and Wall tents late in the war.

Will MacDonald

[FloridaConscript]

Will,

you do waaay more searches than I do, but I interpret Gibsons quote to mean that oilcloths were a fairly common item. If Gorgas is soliciting advice IE pick A) knapsacks or B) oil cloths, then the ordnance dept must be overeeing production, letting contracts and issuing them, no?

[Mississippian]

Bryant,

Don't forget that Gibson's troops were from the aforementioned State of Louisiana.

I'm not saying they weren't issued, but I do find it strange that I don't see them on either QM or Ordnance returns, unless they were just lumped together with regular blankets. I do know that captured federal gum blankets were quite common in both the ANV and AOT.

Oh well, something else to look out for.

Will MacDonald

[Mississippian]

Not "oilcloths" but a mention of oilcloth: On February 25th 1864 the Lt. Col. of the 3rd Mississippi Infantry bought himself a "Oilcloth Coat" at $40.00 and another 1/2yd piece of oilcloth at $2.50. He bought it from Selma Arsenal.

Will MacDonald

[FloridaConscript]

From the Mobile Register, April 14 1864:' A blanket and oilcloth twisted into the shape of a boa constrictor, and slung about the shoulders of the soldier, is the right equipment for heavy, rapid marching now".

Above from Entrepot.

[Archie R. Lib]

Gents, this seems to go against the grain I'm seeing, but if you read "From the Battlefield to the Fiery Cross (Third Tenessee Vols)", you will see (IIRC) a number of references to knapsacks and "packs" as far along as the Atlanta campaign..... Specifically I recall mention of dropping packs prior to Resaca and Kolb's Farm I believe.....

Just throwin it out there.

Keep your powder dry,
Rich