Camp Chairs

[shillcw]

I am not sure how to ask but what type of chairs would be use in light and heavy camping during the war? Does anyone have good pictures from the day or sutler that may sale period correct camp chairs?

Jim Shillinglaw
3rd FL

[Huck]

Re: Camp Chairs



The above photo for enlisted might be the best you might hope for, but generally I would say, the ground, a log, a thrown away hardtack box, if your lucky enough and your a mess of NCOs who happen to be lucky enough to purchased some sort of seat to use while not on campaign.

Now higher ranking field grade officer, that is a different story.

[cprljohnivey]

Re: Camp Chairs

You can also sit on your full knapsack.

A trick that I use: I have found that if you use a hatchet to chop yourself a somewhat flat almost board like piece of wood, and then prop this up with another piece of wood in sort of an upside down "y".... it is very comfortable to lean back against while you sit on the ground. Advantage is you can make and use this just about anywhere. It is quick and easy to do. And more often than not... you can just find wood that will work from the crap wood scraps they typically give us at events to burn without having to employ your hatchet.

[Johnny Lloyd]

Re: Camp Chairs

Sit back to back with a comrade...

[Huck]

Re: Camp Chairs

Since I had nothing else to at work, I google civil war camp chairs and civil war camp bench.

[Philip cav]

Re: Camp Chairs

You could buy or make a hardtack box to sit on.

Pvt. Philip Brening

[Ronnie Tucker]

Re: Camp Chairs

where do you carry a hardtack box when you are in the cavalry. ronnie tucker 7tn cav

[Philip cav]

Re: Camp Chairs

I don't carry a chair or a box. I am assuming the gentleman was in the infantry.

Pvt. Philip Brening

[Paul L Muller]

Re: Camp Chairs

In direct answer to your question, the small folding camp chairs [stools] are common in camp photos, and in extended camp, most house hold chairs of the 18th and 19 th century would work, and wooden benchs too. Not knowing what your intent is, please remember that camp furniture is OVER represented in most civil war camps, and the previous posts are encouraging the use of stumps , firewood, creats ect. to keep camps more authentic . The book "CIvil War Woodworking" by A.J.Hamler has avery good section on camp stools. At events I go to, It is rare for me to sit on a chair around a campfire even thou they are soooomuch more comfortable the a chunk of wood, but that's my choice to demonstrate that over use of chairs ,tables,tents,ect.... hope that helps plm

[cprljohnivey]

Re: Camp Chairs

A little off topic but look at the first photo Huck posted... they actually used tent flys for their intended purpose instead of moving them in front of the tent for shade. Hmmmmm... imagine that!

[Archie R. Lib]

Re: Camp Chairs

By "light" I assume you mean camping on the march....There are not many photos of the armies in a bivouac on campaign, but if ya'll are in the "infuntree" as a gravel cruncher at a campaign event, no such thing as a chair my friend. Kind of difficult to carry one on the march! Steal an army breadbox from the quartermaster when they ain't looking, sit on your pack or find a nice tree to lean against.

By "heavy" I assume you mean static camp. If you're portraying more of a winter/static camp or garrison, things can get more comfortable. As mentioned above you can handfashion a chair out of just about anything laying around - lumber scraps, logs, boxes... Whatever you can fit on! Those soldiers could do miracles with very little supply. There are hundreds of photos out there of soldiers in a more semi-permanent camp, where a photographer would be able to find them and take the time to snap away.

Of course, if you're a shoulder strap or have gold on your collar (in other words, someone who has someone else carrying all of their camping kit) then things would be a bit different......!

Anyway, if you get a chance check out "Hardtack and Coffee" by John Billings, or the memoirs of Isaac Norval Baker (18th VA Cav). W.B. Judkins of the 22nd Georgia Infantry also has some pretty good stories of camping out in bad campaigning weather compared to the relative ease of static camp life... Any foot soldier's memoir would have a pretty good oral account of it.

Cheers.
Rich

[Philip cav]

Re: Camp Chairs

And another book that has info on barrels and boxes is The Columbia Rifles Research Companion. It is out of print so you might have to search a little to find a used one or borrow one. But it is useful (understatement).


Pvt. Philip Brening

[Silas]

Re: Camp Chairs

I am not sure how to ask but what type of chairs would be use in light and heavy camping during the war? Does anyone have good pictures from the day or sutler that may sale period correct camp chairs?

Jim Shillinglaw
3rd FL

Asking a question about camp chairs on this forum can be like dropping a fat bullock into piranha infested waters. I thank members for being restrained in their answers and not going for the easy, fresh, red meat.

Although camp chairs may be ubiquitous at mainstream events where tents and beds abound, chairs are anathema to campaign oriented reenactors. No way to carry 'em and no reason for the extra weight considering all the other stuff soldiers really need. I cannot think of any time I saw someone at a campaign event carrying any form of chair or stool. That may be why the answers have been about sitting on logs, lids, ground, gum blankets and et cetera. Accordingly, it would appear that the question has been asked and answered.

I'll leave this thread open for a day or so more, but not much longer than that. If someone has a constructive comment, better add it soon. It's almost time to ask Gracie to say goodnight to this thread.

[Philip cav]

Re: Camp Chairs

I don't have anymore to add. But thanks for the warning.

Pvt. Philip Brening

[Indianabugles]

Re: Camp Chairs

Ammo boxes of the .577, .58 and .69 Buck and Ball range make good seats (If your unit or adjacent ones used that Calibre) and also encorage people to ask about them. As long as there are not a total abundance of them they generally make handy seats as well as good storage for stuff that needs to stay dry.
While this is great for winter camps around a QM's it would be unrealistic for campaigns.
The General opionion of our most well authentically versed toward these is there is a high risk that they can get over represented but they are certainly preferable to camp chairs.