Type of material for tent

[MattU94]

What type of material should I be using in order to keep authentic and also functional for a sort of A frame tent? Would something like a cloth tarp work?

 

[RedRover]

Army common tents were made of 10 oz. duck, 28.5-inches wide. Here's a description.

Army duck was generally 28.5 inches wide.

You could try a drop cloth if you want, but I suspect the fabric employed is rather loosely woven in comparison to plain old cotton duck.

 

[7thWisconsin]

Don´t waste time on a drop cloth. The fabric is way too light and will not hold up.

 

[Sowbelly and Hardtack]

I highly recommend you read this book.

 

[Dan Kohli]

The problem, far as I can remember, is that these tents were completely sewn by hand.

 

[RedRover]

A sailmaker's palm, a big needle, and some heavy waxed linen thread, etc. and several weeks over which to occasionally kill a couple hours a day can get it done...

Sailmakers' seam stitch... youtube...

Finishing a sailmaker's seam, youtube...

 

[Lampasas Bill]

For the first dog tent I made back in 1980 I used canvas, which was really too heavy. I thought it would be a good idea to waterproof it. The stuff's clear, so no one would know. I laid it out on the front lawn and painted it with Thompson's Water Seal. Big mistake! It waterproofed the tent all right, but I ended up with a big square of dead grass on my lawn.

 

[Stryker65]

They were made of duck? I guess just in case the men ran out of food...

 

[Package4]

What type of material should I be using in order to keep authentic and also functional for a sort of A frame tent? Would something like a cloth tarp work?

First question:

Why an A frame and not a shelter tent?

If you are looking for authenticity an A tent is not the way to go.

A frames, unless an officer were not allowed after the first months of active campaigning. A frames required a wagon to transport, eliminating them from use in an active campaign. IIRC McClellan ordered that only 1 wagon per regiment would be allowed for baggage.

Each regiment had on average 6 wagons, 1 for surgeon, 1 for field and staff, 1 for line officers, 1 for regiment cookware and 2 for rations.

As a result, I wouldn't worry about the authenticity of an A frame unless you are portraying an officer.