Field desk

[captaindrew]

I started gently maneuvering my field desk into my wifes craft area,,,just temporarily of course ,,,to hold the clutter I have on shelves,,,I know this stuff isnt displayed properly, but it does make a nice area to put stuff,, albeit not necessarily "officer" correct. I'll assemble the correct relics and be able to present it as a proper impression once I gather more officer related items,,, but here it after setting it up,, my wife made me promise its temporary until I can make room,,,please disregard her tapestry, she'd think I was taking over her craft room if I took it down! View attachment 392979

A very nice collection!

 

[Jack7171]

A very nice collection!

Thx,,,,I'm dipping my proverbial toes into the waters of collection with dime store stuff,, as I haven't yet had the means, nor the education to take the plunge on higher ticket items, as it seems that there's a fine line between a beautiful 1500.00 original relic,, and 1500.00 wall hanger/door stop. I figured I'd better start small with lower risk items,,and open my eyes and ears for a while before I dive in and make an uneducated regrettable purchase.

 

[A. Roy]

You could send her on a shopping quest for some accessories? ....several crystal clear CW era tintypes or ambrotypes; an exquisite period inkwell with quill pen; a nice flow blue ironstone cup and saucer; and some officers' letters back home to his wife?

Maybe I could position this as an unusual form of spice rack?

R

 

[A. Roy]

Were you asking about the table dimensions or desk?

I was wondering about the dimensions of the desk itself. Looks fairly compact.

Roy B.

 

[Jack7171]

I was wondering about the dimensions of the desk itself. Looks fairly compact.

Roy B.

Sure,,,its 25" wide × 27" tall × 11" deep

 

[Rhea Cole]

I was wondering about the dimensions of the desk itself. Looks fairly compact.

Roy B.

I took measured drawings from an original field desk if you want to build one. I have stacks of sketchbooks & grid pads with artistic, woodworking & blacksmithing drawings, so will have to ferret it out. Anyways, I would be happy to post the field desk drawings. One of our STRI living history comrades made an excellent reproduction that we use at the park.

 

[A. Roy]

I took measured drawings from an original field desk if you want to build one. I have stacks of sketchbooks & grid pads with artistic, woodworking & blacksmithing drawings, so will have to ferret it out. Anyways, I would be happy to post the field desk drawings. One of our STRI living history comrades made an excellent reproduction that we use at the park.

Sure -- that's a great idea! I'm enough of a jackleg carpenter to try something like this!

Roy B.

 

[Rhea Cole]

Sure -- that's a great idea! I'm enough of a jackleg carpenter to try something like this!

Roy B.

I will see if I can find it in my "piling system." I'll warn you ahead of time, it is a real fiddle fade job.

 

[James N.]

I don't know if this will help, but here's a photo of me seated at mine, built for me by my friend Doug @1863surgeon As you can see, it sat on a small folding camp table. Below is another, an original in the museum at Virginia Military Institute used variously by Stonewall Jackson, Richard Ewell, and Jubal Early while commanding the Second Corps:

 

[Iowa Miss]

This photo of David Reed's desk was posted on the Shiloh Discussion Group blog in 2016. At that time the field desk
was displayed on a contemporary desk. The arrangement of pigeon holes varies from other desks pictured.

The post has great information and photos concerning Co C 12th Iowa Infantry, known as the University Recruits, Upper Iowa University, Fayette, Iowa. A number of items pertaining to the UIU student soldiers are on display in the university library.

In Search of David Wilson Reed

Greetings, Recently I visited a grade school and high school buddy (Dave) who lives in Fort Atkinson, Iowa. Nearby is Waukon, Iowa, the home and burial place of David Wilson Reed. Also of interest was Clermont, Iowa where a sculpture of David Bremer Henderson, the first Speaker of the House from ...

shilohdiscussiongroup.com

 

[James N.]

This photo of David Reed's desk was posted on the Shiloh Discussion Group blog in 2016. At that time the field desk
was displayed on a contemporary desk. The arrangement of pigeon holes varies from other desks pictured.

The post has great information and photos concerning Co C 12th Iowa Infantry, known as the University Recruits, Upper Iowa University, Fayette, Iowa. A number of items pertaining to the UIU student soldiers are on display in the university library.

In Search of David Wilson Reed

Greetings, Recently I visited a grade school and high school buddy (Dave) who lives in Fort Atkinson, Iowa. Nearby is Waukon, Iowa, the home and burial place of David Wilson Reed. Also of interest was Clermont, Iowa where a sculpture of David Bremer Henderson, the first Speaker of the House from ...

shilohdiscussiongroup.com

View attachment 393021

I see a copy of the official 1861 U. S. Army Regulations known as the Blue Book - the same as the one I'm leaning on in my photo above.

 

[A. Roy]

I'm wondering whether there might have been some sort of standard field desk that could have been procured for officers. Or would this more likely have been something the officer had to purchase himself? In either case, they would likely have been manufactured in some quantity by furniture makers, no?

Roy B.

 

[Jack7171]

I'm wondering whether there might have been some sort of standard field desk that could have been procured for officers. Or would this more likely have been something the officer had to purchase himself? In either case, they would likely have been manufactured in some quantity by furniture makers, no?

Roy B.

I read today that most field desks were commissioned to be built by officers themselves, and often built by carpenters that were attached to the regiments, or by a local furniture maker/carpenter. Mine was constructed with one wide single hand cut dovetail,,and no screws which was period correct,,,,it is incredibly sturdy and definitely not amateur built

 

[A. Roy]

I read today that most field desks were commissioned to be built by officers themselves, and often built by carpenters that were attached to the regiments, or by a local furniture maker/carpenter.

Interesting -- so that could account for the variety of designs I'm seeing. (Been looking up photos, and I haven't seen many that are similar one to the other.)

Roy B.

 

[Cavalier]

@Jack7171 I'd really love to have a field desk like that. And I like your collection too. Thanks for posting this.

John

 

[ConfederateCanuck]

I started gently maneuvering my field desk into my wifes craft area,,,just temporarily of course ,,,to hold the clutter I have on shelves,,,I know this stuff isnt displayed properly, but it does make a nice area to put stuff,, albeit not necessarily "officer" correct. I'll assemble the correct relics and be able to present it as a proper impression once I gather more officer related items,,, but here it after setting it up,, my wife made me promise its temporary until I can make room,,,please disregard her tapestry, she'd think I was taking over her craft room if I took it down! View attachment 392979

OMG, we have a "craft" dodger on our hands!

Your "temporary" incursion is a brilliant strategy though. Love the table and the price...excuse me while I wipe the drool off my chin...

 

[Jack7171]

OMG, we have a "craft" dodger on our hands!

Your "temporary" incursion is a brilliant strategy though. Love the table and the price...excuse me while I wipe the drool off my chin...

Thanks! I'm trying to come up with a clever relocation program for her,, although i know she will exact revenge on me dearly at hobby lobby and Joanne fabrics! I guess it's a fair trade lol

 

[James N.]

Interesting -- so that could account for the variety of designs I'm seeing. (Been looking up photos, and I haven't seen many that are similar one to the other.)

Roy B.

Jack's is really pretty similar to my replica, though reversed, with the tall opening on the right instead of the left. As I recall, Doug a picture of an original to copy when he made mine.

 

[ConfederateCanuck]

Thanks! I'm trying to come up with a clever relocation program for her,, although i know she will exact revenge on me dearly at hobby lobby and Joanne fabrics! I guess it's a fair trade lol

Yes, some compensation is required. It might help you to avoid the "troubles" that Northern Ireland experienced after Britain's "temporary incursion".

 

[General Butler]

As some of you may recall I have Genl Ben Butlers field desk and has no legs and clearly got tossed into the back of a wagon more then a few times.
While the desk seen here is more vertical, the Butler desk is more horizontal.
I bought the desk from the Butler estate sale in the 70s