Impressions Experiments in Packing a Hardpack

[Western Reserve Volunteer]

Yesterday myself and @drezac went over to the Battery A warehouse, to return some items and borrow some others for my upcoming presentation at the Ohio Regimental Military Ball in February. Whilst there, I saw a lone Hardpack knapsack, and as the knapsack is one of those bits I don't personally own at the moment, I decided I'd borrow it for this season of reenacting. I've tried blanket rolls before, and was underwhelmed, so though I'd try something different.

Here's what I came up with. I'm missing a hook, so I omitted the breast strap and just stuck with the shoulder straps.

Hardpacks are, as you may have guess, kinda hard and have a reputation for not being the most comfortable to wear. To complicate things, this one also lacked any blanket straps on the top. That sort of worked to it's advantage though... somewhere, I remember reading something about wearing the blanket under the knapsack and against the back. I thought maybe it was prewar Ohio Militia regulations, but a second look revealed that not to be the case. In any event, having your army blanket between you and the hard pack makes a world of difference in how comfortable it is to wear!

So that was the back of this pack, but what about the front? The Yellow 1 is in accordance with Ohio militia markings from prewar. Beneath the flap, I placed my rubber blanket. I found, after much tinkering, that this was the best place for it, where it was secure yet separate from the main blanket and easy to pull out in case of rain (my blanket having been fitted with a handy poncho hook for this reason, as you recall).

And now, the innards! There are two flaps which fold over and tie to secure the contents.

The contents! Originally there was a little wooden drawer which split the lower left compartment in half, but I removed it to save on weight and gain room. It also made a good storage space for the breast strap I ditched!

Inside my knapsack, I now have:
Compact Mirror
Toothbrush
Shirt
Pair of Socks
Tin Cup
Washcloth
Bar of Soap
Pocket Watch
ID Disk
Ear plugs.

I left some space unfilled, partly because I'm trying to cut back a little on what I bring with me to camp, and partly so that I can fit my medical supplies for my diabetes in the unused upper left hand compartment.

Speaking of weight:

That's 11 1/2 lbs, including the haversack with utensils and plate. Not bad, I reckon!

 

[johan_steele]

Put the breast strap back on if you intend to march more than from your car to the camp as it will help distribute the weight better. Fold the blanket inside the knapsack if you can and move the gum blanket where you can more easily pull it out to use it in case of rain. Get a small possibles bag for your comb, tooth brush and housewife. You can hang that from the lock straps if you're short of room inside. You also would need tooth powder... in theory.

Most vendors sell a small tin container that will hold your weekend meds that will ride nicely where you've stashed the breast strap or in your haversack.

I'd move the tin cup to the haversack instead of the knapsack. It's nice to have handy.

These men learned real fast that less was more on campaign and a knapsack is for campaign.

 

[Scott K]

Regarding gum blanket, I agree with Johan. You don't want to expose articles meant to be dry, to rain, by having to open your pack to retrieve the rain gear (and then have to pack it wet). Fold it so that the final fold causes it to be long and sling it over your haversack or sling it on your belt so that it covers your rear end. It makes a readily available seat too in dry weather, preserving trouser seat.

 

[Western Reserve Volunteer]

Actually, I've found that there's no need to open the knapsack flap to pull out the gum blanket. It can simply be slid out from the side whilst the flap stays shut, though you do have to take the knapsack off your back first to do so which is not ideal. I will probably reinstate the breast strap, as soon as I find a source for the hooks that go with it, or make my own replacement. That said, it's doubtful I'll be doing much marching. This is the first knapsack I've ever been able to use, so I'm playing around with paring down my kit, which previously traveled in an vast array of modern boxes and bags from car to camp. I'd consider the belt option, except... as a artilleryman I don't really wear a belt.

The internal subdivisions of the knapsack rather prevent a blanket going inside it... I'm not quite sure what is up with that as I have not seen it on (possibly more accurate) hardpack replicas. Those usually just have a single internal frame. And, of course, all the originals on display in museums are closed up, so I have no idea what their innards look like.

I have found that the Pepsodent winds up more on your trousers than teeth in the morning, though maybe if I were using a more period container for it, it'd be less of a problem. I've also found it hard to get out of the bottom of a tin cup, and I'm not particularly fond of the taste of toothpowder in my morning cup of tea. My suboptimal solution last year was to carry a second cup, my latest is simply to ditch the powder.

I have hung my cup from the haversack for years. I've seen it hung from the knapsack, too. Hanging from the haversack, I find all it does is get in the way of getting into the haversack. I find I only drink out of a cup when I'm in camp, otherwise I drink from a canteen. The dull cowbell clattering it makes when dangling from something is also deafening: you'll note I've got my washcloth stuffed in it now so that it's muted and can't make a sound even if the knapsack is getting jostled. I did, however, discover an interesting work around for the haversack issue last year. I bent up a copper wire, and used that as a hook from which my cup could dangle from the buckle, rather than the leather strap, of my haversack. Still a cowbell, but one that was'nt in the way at least. Maybe one day I'll get a collapsable cup that will actually fit inside my haversack along with my utensils.

Insulin vials, Insulin pump cartridges, chargers, syringes, and infusion sets do not fit in small tins, unfortunately. And I want to try and have some of my basic supplies closer to hand, just in case. This is, actually, the first time I should be able to do that without introducing too much extra and modern things into my load out.

 

[Western Reserve Volunteer]

@johan_steele Any recommendations on combs? My hair is, as you can see, thick and curly and I've found that fine toothed combs don't go through it whatsoever. However I'm sure back then they had combs that weren't all that fine toothed, I just haven't seen them. Also, what do you do in terms of lighting for the night? I am thinking of getting one of those tin candle holders/lanterns but I'm not sure how much I'd use it.

 

[johan_steele]

@johan_steele Any recommendations on combs? My hair is, as you can see, thick and curly and I've found that fine toothed combs don't go through it whatsoever. However I'm sure back then they had combs that weren't all that fine toothed, I just haven't seen them. Also, what do you do in terms of lighting for the night? I am thinking of getting one of those tin candle holders/lanterns but I'm not sure how much I'd use it.

Most of the arty units I know have communal lanterns. I used the campfire more than anything. As to combs there were a large variety and you always have the option of making your own. You just need a thin piece of wood and a coping saw and you can make the teeth as wide as you want. I'll have to ask my wife what she uses as she has a couple original combs and brushes. Besides, best option is just shave your head and carry a little turtle wax. but some people like their hair. Mine all turned gray and I don't mind it going away.

 

[captaindrew]

I used to carry a small lantern with me but hardly ever used it. One of the 1st things I trimmed from my kit when I wanted to thin the load. That and utensils, I just cary a spoon and pocket knife which covers about anything. I ditched my comb also, never used it, always have a hat on my head anyway. Maybe you could make a custom poke sack that your medical needs fit in. I'm sure mom has some material you could make something with.

 

[PrivateBrooke]

I second the pokesack for meds idea. Those are really great for hiding non period items!

As for candle holders, normally I'd just say to stick a candle in your bayonet socket, but since you aren't infantry and don't have one, I'd go and get a little tin candle holder. It shouldn't take up too much room.

 

[7thWisconsin]

I have one of those tin box candle holders that I use all the time. It also provides a storage compartment for matches and a cigar or two so they don´t get crushed and a couple of candle stubs for fire starting. You can also open it part way, light it and heat a cup of coffee over it in under 5 minutes in windless conditions. So my candle holder stays in the pack, and my coffee heater stays home!

 

[Dan Kohli]

I use this pill box wyat reproductions to store my meds along with some ibuprofen. For the tooth powder I keep it in a small bag with a lining of baking paper (I forgot the right term for it.) and have spilled very little tooth powder on myself.

 

[7thWisconsin]

OTC medications like pain reliever, decongestant and stuff like that I´d keep on a ¨period¨ container. I have one myself. I would keep any prescription medications in a modern bottle with the prescription information on it. That way if someone else has to grab them in an emergency, they know immediately what to look for.

 

[Western Reserve Volunteer]

You can't quite see it, but I bent a bit of spare wire up to function as an ersatz hook\slider thing, so now the breast strap works! It really does help with the load, and keeps the shoulder straps from eating your armpits.

I am a bit mystified by the surviving J-hook, though. Do I have it on right? The pointy end of the hook part seems to want to stab me in the nipple...

 

[Mrs. V]

I used to carry a small lantern with me but hardly ever used it. One of the 1st things I trimmed from my kit when I wanted to thin the load. That and utensils, I just cary a spoon and pocket knife which covers about anything. I ditched my comb also, never used it, always have a hat on my head anyway. Maybe you could make a custom poke sack that your medical needs fit in. I'm sure mom has some material you could make something with.

I do have fabric…and a poke sack would be a good solution. Would have to be rather large, as the supplies needed aren't exactly tiny..CGM applicator is stupidly large, but easy to use..so we'll take it!

 

[DixieRifles]

You will read accounts of the soldiers being ordered to pack 5-days rations. I would like to see an example of how that would be carried and how much space it would require.

 

[johan_steele]

You will read accounts of the soldiers being ordered to pack 5-days rations. I would like to see an example of how that would be carried and how much space it would require.

A bulging haversack. Soldiers were issued the food. It was up to the individual to pack it as he saw fit. The belief was if a man was hungry on day three it was his fault.

 

[DixieRifles]

A bulging haversack. Soldiers were issued the food. It was up to the individual to pack it as he saw fit. The belief was if a man was hungry on day three it was his fault.

I know they didnt get much meat but it sounds like a lot of bread and other supplies that would get bulky.
I forgot what was a typical 1 day ration. After reading about the starving Rebs at Vicksburg, a slice of bacon and a couple of hardtacks would be a feast.

 

[captaindrew]

You will read accounts of the soldiers being ordered to pack 5-days rations. I would like to see an example of how that would be carried and how much space it would require.

This will help answer your question

 

[Dan Kohli]

And here's another example.

 

[Package4]

Yesterday myself and @drezac went over to the Battery A warehouse, to return some items and borrow some others for my upcoming presentation at the Ohio Regimental Military Ball in February. Whilst there, I saw a lone Hardpack knapsack, and as the knapsack is one of those bits I don't personally own at the moment, I decided I'd borrow it for this season of reenacting. I've tried blanket rolls before, and was underwhelmed, so though I'd try something different.

View attachment 430638

Here's what I came up with. I'm missing a hook, so I omitted the breast strap and just stuck with the shoulder straps.

View attachment 430639
Hardpacks are, as you may have guess, kinda hard and have a reputation for not being the most comfortable to wear. To complicate things, this one also lacked any blanket straps on the top. That sort of worked to it's advantage though... somewhere, I remember reading something about wearing the blanket under the knapsack and against the back. I thought maybe it was prewar Ohio Militia regulations, but a second look revealed that not to be the case. In any event, having your army blanket between you and the hard pack makes a world of difference in how comfortable it is to wear!
View attachment 430640
View attachment 430641
So that was the back of this pack, but what about the front? The Yellow 1 is in accordance with Ohio militia markings from prewar. Beneath the flap, I placed my rubber blanket. I found, after much tinkering, that this was the best place for it, where it was secure yet separate from the main blanket and easy to pull out in case of rain (my blanket having been fitted with a handy poncho hook for this reason, as you recall).

View attachment 430642
And now, the innards! There are two flaps which fold over and tie to secure the contents.
View attachment 430644
The contents! Originally there was a little wooden drawer which split the lower left compartment in half, but I removed it to save on weight and gain room. It also made a good storage space for the breast strap I ditched!

Inside my knapsack, I now have:
Compact Mirror
Toothbrush
Shirt
Pair of Socks
Tin Cup
Washcloth
Bar of Soap
Pocket Watch
ID Disk
Ear plugs.

I left some space unfilled, partly because I'm trying to cut back a little on what I bring with me to camp, and partly so that I can fit my medical supplies for my diabetes in the unused upper left hand compartment.

Speaking of weight:
View attachment 430645
That's 11 1/2 lbs, including the haversack with utensils and plate. Not bad, I reckon!

My first impression is, finish the hard pack, put some small leather pieces on the top either sewn or period rivets for blanket straps, then roll your blanket and strap to the place intended. The rest simply falls in place.

I am not sure I have ever seen an original hard pack that did not have blanket strap leather. Unfortunately many reproductions I have seen have used canvas that was too thin to support such straps.

 

[Western Reserve Volunteer]

Yeah the lack of blanket straps is odd, to say the least. The knapsack does not appear to have ever had them, however, and @drezac can feel free to chime in but I'm fairly sure substantially modifying (vs just fixing up) battery stores is not permitted. That said, I will try tying up the rolled blanket with twine and then tying that to the knapsack somehow.

I think this was what the original maker of the knapsack was going for, roughly. This is a NY Militia knapsack from the QM Museum. I think it had smaller leather straps originally, as below, for securing the blanket roll at the top of the knapsack.

This picture was also where I got the idea of putting the rubber blanket beneath the flap of the knapsack, I think.