WHY ALL THOSE KNAPSACK STUFFERS?

March 1998

Every time I show the contents of my knapsack to someone, one of the first responses is, "That's neat, but I'm sure they didn't carry all that stuff around with them." 'All that stuff' is required to maintain the soldier's body, his clothing, his leather, and his weapon in the manner prescribed by the Regulations.

Remember that, until Grant's campaigns of 1864, soldiers in the Army of the Potomac spent only about 1-2% of their time under actual battlefield conditions (2-3 major battles a year, of 1 or 2, occasionally 3 day's duration. Truly active campaigning of constant movement and temporary camps only occurred during the weeks immediately before and after major battles. Counting about a month for each battle, this accounts for about 25% of their time Most campaigning was conducted for only 7 months of the year, this left them about 40% of the time in winter camps. The remaining approximately 35% of the time was spent in camps of several week's or month's duration. This means that a total of 75% of a soldier's time was spent in more or less permanent camps. Only so much of that time could be taken up with drill, fatigue, and other duties. During guard mounts, inspections, and parades, soldiers were expected to look their best. They occupied their time with cleaning and polishing their equipment so it would not fail when it was needed. With only so much clothing issued per year, and with any issued overage taken from a soldier's pay, it was in his best interest to keep his clothing and equipment in good order. And, even though bacteriological infection was not clearly understood, a connection had been made between dirt and sickness. Soldiers needed to keep themselves clean to avoid sickness, and the camps had to be kept clean to cut down or prevent all the critters that thrive on human filth.

In reenacting it is rare to spend more than two nights in the field. We are too used to modern amenities, and some of us try to bring it all with us and then have difficulty keeping it hidden during the events. This is especially difficult in dog tents, which are supposed to accommodate two men, or three with a rear covering Each man was issued only one shelter half, one gum blanket, and one blanket - no more. Men sharing a tent could also share these items for extra warmth. Except for social beverages after the tourist tribe have returned to their hovels, everything you need for two days of camping should fit in your knapsack. These things are not just decoration for inspection displays, they can be used to "camp" with for the weekend so you can leave your modern trappings at home. More importantly, because they are period and/or regulation pieces, they do not have to be kept hidden from view. Their use in the field is actually part of the living history experience, and an education to tourists.

Part 2

April 1998

"Regulations": Article XIII:

Para. 91: "Each subaltern officer will be charged with a squad for the supervision of its order and cleanliness .... "

Para. 93: "The utmost attention will be paid by commanders of companies to the cleanliness of their men, as to their persons, clothing, arms, accoutrements, and equipments, and also as to their quarters or tents."

Para. 96: "... the boots well cleaned."

Para. 99: "Ordinarily the cleaning will be on Saturdays. The chiefs of squads will cause ... arms [to be] cleaned; accoutrements whitened [blackened] and polished...."

Para. 100: "Where conveniences for bathing are to be had, the men should bathe once a week. The feet to be washed at least twice a week. The hair kept short, and beard neatly trimmed."

Para. 101: "Non-commissioned officers, in command of squads, will be held more immediately responsible that their men observe what is prescribed above; that they wash their hands and faces daily; that they brush or comb their heads; that those who are to go on duty put their arms, accoutrements, dress, &c., in the best order, and that such as have permission to pass the chain of sentinels, are in the dress that may be ordered." [There is nothing wrong with a corporal or sergeant calling his own men out for an inspection now and then, especially before guard mount.]

Para. 102: "Commanders of companies and squads will see that the arms and accoutrements in possession of the men are always kept in good order, and that proper care be taken in cleaning them." ["Rules for the Management and Cleaning of the Rifle Musket, Model 1863" (hereafter referred to as "Rules") states that "In the inspection of arms, officers should attend to the qualities essential to service, rather than to a bright polish on the exterior of the arms." (i.e., Weapons should be serviceable, safe, and clean first - a brightly polished weapon is nice but not essential If you cannot keep your weapon looking like it was chrome-plated, with period equipment that you can carry in the field, it is as incorrect an impression, as a rusty, unserviceable weapon.]

Para. 103: "When belts are given to a soldier, the captain will see that they are properly fitted to the body; and it is forbidden to cut any belt without his sanction." [All accoutrements should be of the proper length.]

Para. 104: "Cartridge-boxes and bayonet scabbards will be polished with blacking; varnish is injurious to the leather, and will not be used."

Para. 105: "All arms in the hands of the troops ... will be kept in the state in which they are issued ... Bright barrels will be kept clean and free from rust without polishing them; care should be taken in rubbing not to bruise or bend the barrel. After firing, wash out the bore; wipe it dry, and then pass a bit of cloth, slightly greased, to the bottom.... The barrel, when not in use, will be closed with a stopper. For exercise, each soldier should keep himself provided with a piece of sole-leather to fit the cup or countersink of the hammer " [A leather nipple protector - not a cut-off minnie ball attached to the musket with a chain.]

Para. 108: "Ammunition will be frequently exposed to the dry air, or sunned." [A good off-duty scenario]

Para. 115: "Soldiers will wear the prescribed uniform in camp or garrison, and will not be permitted to keep in their possession any other clothing. When on fatigue parties, they will wear the proper fatigue dress."

Para. 122: "On marches and in the field, the only mess furniture of the soldier will be one tin plate, one tin cup, one knife, fork and spoon, to each man, to be carried by himself on the march." [Note that regulations call for tin, not enamel which can chip (and the exposed metal rust) with rough field use.]

Para. 123: "Tradesmen may be relieved from ordinary military duty, to make, to alter, or to mend soldier's clothing, &c...." [Clothing should always be in good order. Neat mends to, and patching of, clothing in order to keep it serviceable, may be evident - sloppy patching with off-color material or contrasting thread may not.]

Para. 128: "Four women will be allowed to each company as washer women, and will receive one ration per day each." [All clothing will be as clean as possible in the field.] From all this, it is apparent that "all that stuff" is an essential part of your kit. Keeping all the above regulations in mind, go through this list. All of the items are essential for life in the field.

Personal hygiene:

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