Will, Andy, I should have joined CWDD much earlier to learn this. My knapsack from 2014 probably was heavier than the heaviest of the three knapsacks you presented by 3-4 lbs and was almost round in shape. Thank you for 'taking' me on the Chancellorsville campaign properly kitted. Highly informative and loved the regulation references. Thank you, CWDD!
Among military folks, the process of ridding what is carried and what is "lost" is called "sorting." I have watched peoples sorting out a few ounces, putting their pack back on and grin with a perceived relief. It is a natural process.
Dan, that must have accounted for almost all the ones the 3rd Corps lost in the campaign then. Captain Rusling, the corps quartermaster, reported losing about 700 knapsacks but noted they were all from units that were ordered to drop them.
Yes, I don't have the exact numbers in front of me but the brigade likely numbered in the neighborhood of 500 men. We know that the order wasn't strictly enforced because at least one of the Tiffany and Co. calfskin knapsacks was captured by a Confederate in 1864, but it's likely that most of the regiments obeyed and lost their packs.
The war would have been a lot shorter if the north didn’t equip their soldier. The south had nothing…other than the equipment acquired from the northerners. Haha
Great video, I've had my knapsack and haversack packed similarly for an event before and while on the heavy side I also didn't find it particularly terrible. I will say, unlike most in the Living History community, I love knapsacks and hate blanket rolls in terms of comfort and ease of use.
I would have to mention all the hiking these soldiers had to do. While the weight may not be extreme, you have to think about environment. These soldiers would be walking in woodland and hills and that weight will tire you out very quickly as someone who hiked in environment like this.
Ya that bag doesn't look like it holds very much but I was surprised. Also didn't think they ate that much hardtack lol I'd go insane having to live on that.
I love this. When packing for events including food, I have never included food in my knapsack. The worst case scenario I would carry hard tack in my pockets. However when knowing they were ordered to carry that much I see no other way.
As I am watching this I am also reading "I Soldiered for the Union" The Civil War Diary of William Bluffton Miller. In it he says they were issued 8 days rations (14th Corps) before a march...I'm thinking (after watching this) how on earth...
Hello, CWDD. I am an inexperienced Living Historian portraying a US musician during the Civil War. Did drummers or fifers wear knapsacks? I would assume they did, as they were on campaign, too, but I cannot find any pictures online with said combination!
Some men sent their extra stuff home to their families...and some families sent stuff back to the soldiers during winter times...extra blankets,extra uniforms etc etc
i mostly follow the rules my 2 extras are i carry my great coat all year its my pillow at night and sometimes it gets cold and second i carry 2 canteens my standard one and a captured confederate officers one "full of brandy" its extra water for me and some times the company in the summer heat tho since i went to a sharpshooter unit the packs they had early war are so much better than the standard knapsack
Those straps look brutal on the shoulders. 60 rounds seems like nothing but you have to take into account that the cival war muskets shot 3 rounda a minute not a second like the modern M4.
That true and that weight would be even worse considering environment. These soldiers would be hiking in areas similar to the Appalachia mountain and forest. The higher these soldier hiked, the heavier the bags would have felt due to the angle of the mountain.
@@pedroguerrero3862 Not really, not in my or anyone else I've knowns experience at least. You feel the vertical gain in your legs not your shoulders. The straps just dig in whether the terrain is flat, hilly or mountainous. Besides, slope and altitude dont have much of a correlation. I might be misunderstanding you, but that last sentence seems suspect.
Hard to imagine being separated from my bible, cards, cribbage board, and CDV of my wife. I guess most of that would fit in my pockets, but that's getting bulky and I'd still lose the cribbage board. Awesome video!
This is good timing. I'm reading George T. Stevens' memoir about the sixth corps (he was a surgeon in the 77th NY) and today I got to the creation of the light division and I'm about to find out what happened to them at Chancellorsville. It's always good to have one of your videos breathing life into a story I'm reading. Thanks for doing this.
What was the order and where can I find more orders and Other information in PDF form about rations, supplies, gear, small arms, and Accoutrements for Officer's, NCO's and Enlisted men. As well as regulations and instructions regarding Civil War Marines and Sailor's on active field service.
The order we referenced came out of the Official Records of the War of the Rebellion. In Vol. VI, Episode 6, we explored some hacks on how to research in there. Check it out! Hope it helps! Will
So what changed in terms of this brigade and regiment for packing rations in your knapsack versus what we know to be packing rations and its implements into the haversack?
Packing rations and implements in the haversack would be the exact same as normally in this case. The only thing that changed for the individual infantryman was in his knapsack.
@@CivilWarDigitalDigest Thanks! I had an idea they might be from the finish and leather quality. How do you recommend them? My knapsack is of different make and is somewhat crummy and uncomfortable. Thanks!
Lester Flores, the board that did the original tests found that with the load we showed here, that it should be about 13.25 pounds in the knapsack with that set up.
@@andrewroscoe4318 Thanks. Trying to do a mental comparison to a combat load a modern day soldier would carry. In the army, we trained with a 45 lbs ruck along with weapon, ammo and body armor. But then again, you also have to take into account that modern equipment better distributes the weight and larger distances are covered by vehicles as opposed to marching. Thanks for doing this. Will include this information in future living history displays (once we can do them again).
