Knapsacks & Blanket Rolls Redeux

[AZReenactor]

Re: Stress on Equipment and learning how to best wear stuff

I managed to emancipate a boiled egg from a young girl while garding a small group of ladies and children. Man was it was tasty and well worth the handful of beans I traded so as not to have to just steal it. 2nd Platoon was also privileged to eat a few chickens that Cpl. Talks a lot managed to get away from the teamsters. They were darn good eating. I only wished we could have had the other two after Ms. McReary let it slip that they were slated for the lazy Jacks. Darn Cami's quickness!

[Alamo Guard]

Re: Stress on Equipment and learning how to best wear stuff

I hoped that Muleskinner would have brought that rooster by the cilian camp to entertain the feathered ladies.
One of my lessons learned is how well a canteen can hold up and not rust while filled with Natchez Spring Water. That old canteen was quite rusty it seems before the event on the inside. However afterwards it seemed to be clean as a whistle on the inside after being filled with the spiritual liquid ya'all consumed.

[Anna Allen]

Re: Stress on Equipment and learning how to best wear stuff

I hoped that Muleskinner would have brought that rooster by the cilian camp to entertain the feathered ladies.
One of my lessons learned is how well a canteen can hold up and not rust while filled with Natchez Spring Water. That old canteen was quite rusty it seems before the event on the inside. However afterwards it seemed to be clean as a whistle on the inside after being filled with the spiritual liquid ya'all consumed.

That there "Spring Water" sure was some powerful stuff. Don't know how you fellows can stand it.

[Gallo de Cielo]

Re: Stress on Equipment and learning how to best wear stuff

Anna,

Like Tom said in reference to us poking each other with knives, such is common practice in the Ground Hornets. We use whiskey in lieu of water for most settings. It keeps the boys calmed down a bit. Some are apt to tear one another asunder if we don't keep them properly hydrated. Thus, Dusty's mission was one of necessity. A few more events with us and you'll no doubt take to it as well. Step two will be out-eating Frank in a crawfish throwdown.

Cordially,

[Charles Heath]

Re: Stress on Equipment and learning how to best wear stuff

Step two will be out-eating Frank in a crawfish throwdown.

Now, now, now, does Frank suck head or cheat by just eating just the tails?

Mudbugs-R-Good.

[Gallo de Cielo]

Re: Stress on Equipment and learning how to best wear stuff

From what I gather, Frank sucked heads in front of the ladies. Quite a scandad indeed. Still, he may be granted honorary Pelican State status. He still has trouble pronouncing words like Caddo and Sabine and calls them counties instead of parishes, so that might work against him.

[Anna Allen]

Re: Stress on Equipment and learning how to best wear stuff

Anna,

Like Tom said in reference to us poking each other with knives, such is common practice in the Ground Hornets. We use whiskey in lieu of water for most settings. It keeps the boys calmed down a bit. Some are apt to tear one another asunder if we don't keep them properly hydrated. Thus, Dusty's mission was one of necessity. A few more events with us and you'll no doubt take to it as well. Step two will be out-eating Frank in a crawfish throwdown.

Cordially,

Ah, that explains it. I can stand the stuff a lot more when I'm freezing my toes off. But otherwise, it's gonna take me a little longer to admit to actually enjoying it.

On second thought... I guess I should mention there was one particular afternoon where I did actually take great joy in a swig of the Spring Water...

From what I gather, Frank sucked heads in front of the ladies. Quite a scandad indeed. Still, he may be granted honorary Pelican State status. He still has trouble pronouncing words like Caddo and Sabine and calls them counties instead of parishes, so that might work against him.

And yes...I believe I saw him suck heads......

[Marylander in Grey]

Officer Blanket Rigs/How Do I wear my blankie?

I am wondering if anyone has some suggestions on how an Officer would carry his blanket if not wearing of a knapsack.
I see some Farb guys with various contraptions but I havent had any success in viewing pictures for what I am looking for.
I would appriciate any and all help in this matter

[Charles Heath]

Re: Officer Blanket Rigs/How Do I wear my blankie?

Unlike most fora, this one has a dandy search engine. Hard to believe, but it is true.

Please use the phrase "blanket roll" to bring up the last 67 threads (yes, count 'em) on this subject to include, but not limited to tump lines, snapsacks, blanket rolls, private purchase rigs, going without your blankie (oh, the horror), using the blanket as a shelter, herring dip net, and a whole lot more.

If that isn't enough, then check out the lovely articles section. Good reading can be found for free. Good luck.

[ericmaggard]

The Proper BlanketRoll when Campaign'in

Gents

I would like to find out how to do a proper blanket Roll that includes your gum blanket and Shelterhalf rolled into the blanket.


Questions:
1. Is that the way they carried it inside the roll is there any proof or reference to including these (2) items in the roll.

2. Did they go into battle with the roll? Was this roll drop along with the packs?

3. What else was included in the roll? For survival while on the march.

[Texyank]

Re: The Proper BlanketRoll when Campaign'in

http://www.authentic-campaigner.com/forum/showthread.php?t=8281&highlight=blanket+roll

This subject is pretty well covered here.

[nick19thind]

Re: The Proper BlanketRoll when Campaign'in

1 The rubber poncho was the outermost layer of the roll, keeping your blanket, spare clothes and shelter half dry when on the march.
2 Soldiers were reluctant to drop their packs before going into battle as they feared if abandoned they would be stolen by either the advancing enemy or their own reinforcements. Regiments could end up miles away from where they were before the battle
3 Shelter tent, rubber poncho, blanket, spare drawers, socks and shirt, maybe an extra pair of boots, personal effects such as pictures and mess equipment, the same kind of stuff you'd expect to find in a knapsack

[ContinentalMorganGuard]

Re: The Proper BlanketRoll when Campaign'in

When rolling a bed roll either the mule collar, or the "hobo" roll you can get all of your basic toiletry items, extra socks, shirt, drawers, candle, and a few odds and ends in without a problems. However putting the poncho or gum blanket on the outside is nice to get the roll dry, but you better have two if there is a possabilty of foul weather, because once your poncho is rolled up, you can get it out. so, you have to havea second poncho draped over your belt to keep you dry. Also, some folks when doing the mule collar roll don't put a gum rubber on it because it causes so much extra heat. One point, from personal experience, when rolling a mule collar make sure any personal items are not right on the bottom, or they can fall out, and or make sure your straps are tight enough to keep everything secure. Also the prevoius post that lists the old thread is very helpful when looking into how to do one or more ways to makea bed roll. It gives you lots of options. IMHO the hobo style, leather sling with roll just on your back is the best way to go. I have had the best results with that, using my Mexican war style leather strap set.

[Kevin O'Beirne]

Re: The Proper BlanketRoll when Campaign'in

First, my thoughts on blanket rolls, what to pack in one, how to make one (with period quotes in support), and photos, are presented in the article, "Knapsack and Haversack Packing 101" which is posted on this very forum in the Research Articles subfolder.

1 The rubber poncho was the outermost layer of the roll, keeping your blanket, spare clothes and shelter half dry when on the march.

I don't necessarily agree with that for a few good reasons:

1. A gum blanket on the outside, with the black side out, makes a blanket roll, particularly the "mule collar" variety, exceedingly hot and uncomfortable in the summertime.

2. Why keep your blanket protected from rain when, if you WEAR the gum blanket over you AND the blanket roll, it keeps you both dry?

I suspect the truth was that some soldiers made blanket rolls with the gum blanket inside, some with it on the outside, and others with the gum blanket folded and worn over the waist belt (or something else) for easy access in the event of rain. As always it's a "dangerous" thing to make absolute statements about how millions of soldiers did something.

2 Soldiers were reluctant to drop their packs before going into battle as they feared if abandoned they would be stolen by either the advancing enemy or their own reinforcements. Regiments could end up miles away from where they were before the battle

Perhaps, but it depended on the battle and its circumstances, and the troops and their level of experience. Again, absolute statements should probably be avoided. As a counterpoint to the quote above, I offer the veteran Irish Brigade's charge on Antietam's sunken road: they not only ditched their packs or blanket rolls before making the charge, but also their haversacks and, for some, canteens.

3 Shelter tent, rubber poncho, blanket, spare drawers, socks and shirt, maybe an extra pair of boots, personal effects such as pictures and mess equipment, the same kind of stuff you'd expect to find in a knapsack

See my article for a slight counterpoint on what to pack; however, it varied with the soldier. I suspect the "typical" soldier did not often carry extra footwear in his blanket roll, and mess furniture was usually in or on the haversack. Also, the typical Yank foot soldier would probably have had a gum blanket instead of a poncho. The article includes, among other things, a comparison of a reenactor's (i.e., my) typical marching load against the detailed instructions provided to the Army of the Potomac on what to pack and wear for the Chancellorsville campaign.

[Justin Runyon]

Re: The Proper BlanketRoll when Campaign'in

Thank you Kevin, you saved me the trouble of making that same post.

Nick, Please watch your throwing out of claims with little or know supporting material.