French Imports

[PigPen]

Does anyone have any information on imported French accoutrements and mess gear?

[hireddutchcutthroat]

I know there is at least one French knapsack on display in the Atlanta History Center.

[Iron Scout]

Hey Danny,

I've been conducting a goodly amount of research recently on Caleb Huse's purchasing efforts in Europe '61-65. From what I've turned over, Huse imported French artillery harness in some quantity along with French bridle and harness "backs". Likewise, documentation shows the QM in Savannah (1864) had a number of shoes of French origin but of different patterns, etc.
This is all I've ever found of items purchased in France but that's not to say it didn't happen. That being said though, Huse was squarely in Isaac & Campbell's back pocket for equipment purchases from the start. In fact, he got himself in a little hot water for it too! Sorry to not be more of a help but that's what I've found thus far.

Regards,

Neill Rose
PLHA
Love & Wienges

[PigPen]

I knew that 10,000 sets of uniforms (including shakos and fatigue caps) were bought from Godillot in Paris in 1860. I didn't know of any other gear that may have been purchased along with the uniforms. It seems possible but as of yet un-documentable.

[DougCooper]

On French knapsacks - as Bob says there is one in the AHC on display. It was quite strange to be standing under the 2nd Minn monument on Snodgrass Hill at Chickamauga only a few hours after leaving the AHC and see French knapsacks on two of the soldier sculptures - the strap design is unmistakable.

[roundshot]

An excellent article by Don Troiani on French uniforms and accouterments with particular reference to the 10,000 sets Godillot furnished is in Vol. XXVI, Nos. 2, 3 of North South Trader's Civil War.

Bob Williams
Reilly's NC Btty

[Yellowhammer]

Bob is quite correct. That is an EXCELLENT article.

In addition to describing the uniforms and providing some excellent photos, there is a fantastic photo layout of an individual chassuer's equipage from the Goidot catalogue.

As these uniforms were bought in sets of 1,000, the article also includes a breakdown of equipage per man including sundries like mess pans, clothing whips (for beating dirt out of clothing), bugles, etc...