Knapsack/ Haversack Campaign Set Up

This is my first of many how-to videos for ACW reenacting. Here is the contents of my knapsack and haversack minus food and extra arsenal packs. I am not trying to start a hard-core against farb war but I figure that somebody needs to show the proper way as the men from 150 years ago did it. Notice how I have my items packed in my knapsack.

Category:

People & Blogs

Tags:

• civil
• war
• uniform
• campaign
• knapsack
• haversack
• 1861
• 1865
• 21st
• michigan
• infantry
• Military Campaign
• Army

[MrDannysuzy]

where did you get the envolopes

[97yankeeboy]

@MrDannysuzy go on google images and type in civil war envolope...size the image and then make your own envolope or put an envolope through your printer.

[john4knecht]

do what they did to open cans, the tip of your bayonet

[97yankeeboy]

@john4knecht i would but its so sad that repro bayonets are so cheaply made that it will bend the bayonet

[basilone12]

A blanket roll was also common

[97yankeeboy]

@basilone12 Yes these were but only in the very begining and western theater more towards the end. this is whay in all my vids last year i have a blanket roll.

[TheIrishbill]

@97yankeeboy John M. Adair wrote on his experiences at the battle of shiloh how he and the majority of his unit lost their knapsacks when they fell back on the 1st day. He was part of the 45th IL. The blanket roll was used for many reasons. the major ones being less weight, necessity of not being issued knapsacks or lost one and didnt want to pay for a new one.

[TheIrishbill]

@2ndNCInfantry The Bully beef can opener wasnt invented until 1865. Beef to the soldiers came in barrels or on the hoof (walked into camp). That gentlemans can opener would not be period correct for most events and would be better left at home.

[Type99Arisaka]

You should slip a boot pistol in your nutsack. oppps I mean napsack.

[Type99Arisaka]

How to open a can. :o

[john4knecht]

@2ndNCInfantry I hear you man, but that's where our trusty 'general purpose' or "boot knives' come in. You take the tip of your knife, and place it on the can. You take a hammer if you have one, (or a smooth rock) and you tap the handle of the knife just hard enough to puncture the can. Repeat as needed.

[2ndNCInfantry]

@john4knecht Oh yea! I wish we had bayonets lol, but being cavalry we dont :(

when i started out, i just used sharp rocks to open my cans of salt pork haha!

[john4knecht]

@2ndNCInfantry Very interesting. but that very awsome information aside. Not every one would have had one... So the tip of a bayonet works just fine.

[2ndNCInfantry]

@john4knecht They had can openers. There was 1 in every crate of Beef. It was from the bully beef company, This guy in our unit has an original that he uses. its shapes kinda like a bull lol