Civil war wash dish?

[Keiri]

An account I'm reading in Wisconsin says that the fellow received a wash dish at Camp Randall, one for every six men to share. While this sounds ridiculous given the situations in the war in reality, does anyone have any information on them or a picture of one? I had no luck with Google - only found navy ones there. Thanks.

 

[AndyHall]

I would guess a washbowl. That was the common item for personal washing, and would be appropriate in a barracks situation.

Expired Image Removed

 

[Albert Sailhorst]

Agree with Andy.....appropriate in garrison, but not on campaign.
If I had to guess, I bet it was early war that the fellow received it.
Cool find and great discussion!

 

[Dave Wilma]

Another term is posnet.

 

[Keiri]

All the posnets I see in google images say "Spider skillet"? Yes, this was in February 1862. So yes, this was weird. I wonder if they left them at Randall when they shipped out? Or St Louis at Jefferson Barracks. What's the picture of, Andyhall?

 

[AndyHall]

Google said it was Camp Randall.

 

[Keiri]

I see it now. Also the tiny title on the bottom.

 

[Albert Sailhorst]

All the posnets I see in google images say "Spider skillet"? Yes, this was in February 1862. So yes, this was weird. I wonder if they left them at Randall when they shipped out? Or St Louis at Jefferson Barracks. What's the picture of, Andyhall?

I wish I had a Spider Skillet!!

 

[Keiri]

I'm sure your ancestor Casper Sailhorst did, Albert!

 

[donna]

A Spider Skillet, a wonderful cooking pan. It was used in camps, by pioneers and in homes of the time. Wish I had one too. Have seen some for sale on e-bay.

 

[Frederick14Va]

The wash basins are occasionally seen in period camp images laying about in the background... most commonly then made of sheet iron... also noted being used for a variety of purposes not just washing things....

Here are similar examples that were excavated off the 1856 wreck of the Arabia

 

[Albert Sailhorst]

A Spider Skillet, a wonderful cooking pan. It was used in camps, by pioneers and in homes of the time. Wish I had one too. Have seen some for sale on e-bay.

Blockade Runner Sutlery had some on the on-line catalog a while back.....not sure if they still do.

 

[Frederick14Va]

Have a couple of them made by the Village Tinsmith before he fully retired from it.... Ulrich makes them but usually sold through other sutlers such as S&S of Gettysburg and Regimental Quartermaster just to name a couple that carries his goods...

 

[Keiri]

Oh yes - I suppose a re-enactor's stuff should be exact. Maybe I should look for a catalog or something to see if they have them.