Packing a Civil War Knapsack

[13th Illinois]

Now maybe I'm just not looking in the right place or maybe I'm just not seeing it. I am looking for any information on how to pack the infantry knapsack. For information on what rations I need to have in it and my haversack.
Thanks,
Richard
13 Infantry Man

[Mark Wadsworth]

First what kind of knapsack are you going to be packing? Each kind of knapsack has it it's own packing style.

[johan_steele]

http://www.sykesregulars.org/

Take some time on this site; one of the best out there w/ good info for everything from properly wearing the kit to properly packing it.

Good Luck

[13th Illinois]

its the soft type tared knapsack.

[Mark Wadsworth]

Is it a double bag knap sack? Once trick is to slide your pack straps through your blanket straps. By doing this it will keep your blanket roll on top of your pack. If you don't the blanket will lean back pulling you off balance. It's quick and easy to do.

[rock city guard]

if a soldier is is on the march in the summer months, you don't have to haul the great coat. do or could you put the blanket in where the great coat go?I usually have problems with the blanket roll riding back.

[johan_steele]

Some men preferred their greatcoat to a blanket and hauled that instead... though most sent them home for the summer or into storage... or onto the side of the road.

I prefer a blanket roll so I have never tried that w/ a knapsack. I would suggest trying it to see if it is even feasible.

[James George]

Rations should remain in your haversack.

Knapsack should have the other iteams like the following, this assuming you have a double knapsack

Extra pair of socks
Shirt
Bar of soap and maybe a rag
Knight cap (If you have one)
Candle
Shelter half and blanket be folded and place inside.
Poncho or ground blanket should go between the to bags as you fold it together. This will make it easier to grap in case of rain.
If you have a great coat that should go on top.

[rock city guard]

soap? what kind of soap would they have used? I usually put my blanket in the one side and an extra shirt, socks candles and my sleaning stuff in the knapsack. It dosent seem to have enough in it.

[ole]

soap? what kind of soap would they have used?

Bet you're a treat to share a tent with on a July weekend. Welcome to the board.
Ole

[rock city guard]

Bet you're a treat to share a tent with on a July weekend. Welcome to the board.
Ole

I have my own soap for reenacting, but I don't think Irish spring was used by confederate soldiers.

[blue_zouave]

soap? what kind of soap would they have used?

Soap was issued to Union troops (when available). I am not sure about Confederates. I know somebody who makes lye soap and I got a bar from him. Before that, I went to the health food store and got a bar of some natural olive oil soap and trimmed it up a bit so it didn't look commercial.

Zou

[ole]

I'd guess a bar of Kirk's Castile would be about as authentic as you could get if you shave it a bit with a potato-peeler. Be careful though, it's hard stuff and may clean off a bit more than you want.
Ole

[Mark Wadsworth]

I tend to bring a bar of unscented lye soap. The stuff I get is hand cut so it ready to go on the spot.

[gary]

I've seen soap made at Boonesboro. Looked just like Ivory soap (white blocks). If that's the case, shave a bar of ivory and you may be good to go.

[ole]

Somehow, I suspect that the soap they used wasn't 99-44/100% pure. But far be it from me .......

ole

[gary]

Ole, for once I suspect that I'm older than you. Years ago a gubmint machinst taught me the saying, "Good enough for government work." I live by that lesson.

I'd carry a carved bar of Ivory if I wanted to play sybil wa-oh soljer. I'd also stuff a pillow in my knapsack to simulate weight too (Cleburne did that when he was a corporal in the British Army). I'd sneak out of camp and sleep in a motel where I have a hot shower and clean sheets. I'd shirk from marching and would even forge a note from my doctor. I'd even bring my own "blue pills" in the form of Almond M&Ms (yummy). Do you know how many bags of Almond M&Ms I'd have to eat through to gather enough blue pills for myself? What work! Little wonder why I'd be thrown out of a unit if I tried to play reenactor.

[Self-Contained Infantryma]

Personally, in my knapsack (the overrepresented double bag) I carry my poncho and blanket in the compartment closest to my back, I buckle them in and place a coverlet on top of them and strap the second strap to hold it in place. In the second compartment, I keep a couple shirts, a writing kit, toiletries, night cap, and a couple other essentials. It depends on how I pack for the weekend, i may switch the poncho and coverlet, if it may rain being the reason I can eaisily slip the poncho out!

In my haversacks, I carry nothing but rations and tinware. I keep the newspapers, knife, wallet and other 'haversack stuffers' in my pockets, depending on type of event and what unit Im with.

Corey O'Connor