Did the Infantry have Ponchos? Did the Cavalry have Gum Blankets?

Willing to bet extra gum blankets were "tactically acquired" all the time in various ways.

Very interesting subject in field gear. When I was an infantryman in the US Army back in 1986 to 1990 on my first enlistment. When we used to go on field problems or exercises I used to find out in the exercise areas in Germany and state side Ft. Carson that some stupid soldiers used to leave behind their ponchos. My Dad who fought the end of WWII in Europe and the duration of Korea told me his story that always pickup ponchos dropped because they were lighter and you can make a good shelter when you dug a fox hole either to keep you dry and out of the sun to also keep your ammo dry and your ration cans from getting dirt or rust from water and humidity. Important was having a dry place to sleep when it rains like hell especially cold rain. American Civil War soldiers had it worse because of the limited tar and canvas material in those days than soldiers in later wars the US were involved in.

We were supposed to have 1 poncho, 50 years ago, in the US Army. I quickly learned that it was much better to have 2. I went to the quartermaster sales store and paid $6 for an extra poncho. My buddy did the same. We could put two ponchos together to make a pup tent and still each have a poncho to wear when on watch. Good video. Good Luck Rick

2 words "field mod" same 160 years ago as is today.

I’ve been using one and one for a few years now and always wondered what was nug

Very interesting topic and outstanding research! I might submit one thought here: I was a Marine, and in the military we generally tend to call things what the ledger calls them, even though that’s not what it is. For example, the issued USMC poncho liner in 2012 was a nylon/polyester blanket with a zipper sewn around the sides, and no head hole. So a blanket by any means, but the ledger called it a poncho liner, and we all referred to it as a poncho liner or a “woobie”. So it may be possible that the infantry was issued a mix of poncho and gum blanket, and all were simply marked in the ledger as “blanket.” Is this true for the military of the 1860s? I don’t know, but there’s definitely a trend for such things in all the militaries I’ve been around, American or otherwise.

I lived out of my suburban for two years, till it broke down. The cost to repair was way more money than I had at th time. I was forced to leave behind anything that wouldn't fit in my backpack. I was , up until that time, a "prepper". Now my mindset is " if you can't carry it on your back you don't need it. "

That was interesting. Thank you for all the work.

This was very interesting and helpful. I had this exact question. I’m glad you included the infantry in your video, I portray an infantry soldier in the 142d PVI and learn so much from your videos.

Glad to know that there’s a difference between gum blankets and ponchos, cause originally I thought they were more or less simply just gum blankets used as ponchos. It’s also funny and interesting this video came to be. I’d love to see more situational based videos like this in the future!!

When I joined my infantry regiment years ago, our equipment list instructed me to buy a poncho and a gumblanket. The understanding was that ponchos were officially for cavalry, but diary entries showed that at least some of the members of our namesake mentioned poncho - like gums. The assumption, then, was that we could accurately depict the real soldiers with ponchos while availing ourselves of the superior protection afforded by this garment. There was also mention that the men of the regiment were issued on at least one occasion with 2 gums, whatever 'gum' means.

Honestly thank you for doing stuff like this, it helps me know what my impression should be and what it shouldn't

Ah, I remember going down this rabbit hole years ago. I determined that in army records they were diffrent items. So the soldier could have both. Not to meantion suttler private sale. It also depends on if the issue was from State purchase and distribution vs Federal purchase and distribution. Also as you implied they were too often considered the same item. So if there are more ponchos than gum blankets and both were issued...when the gum blankets run out...next soldier gets 2 ponchos.

Great video, Steve, most informative as always. Did some cavalry unit's troopers carry spare revolver cylinders, capped and charged, on their saber belts like some modern folks carry and some sutler's stores market in their catalogs? Thanks!

Absolutely loved this post. Thank you so much for bringing this content to us. Personal items like one's gum blanket or socks reallly makes a personal connection with individuals who lived it. You guys rock Best wishes and thanks again

1980s Army, I remember wearing my poncho and rubber boots in the rain, and there was a 4” gap where my calves were exposed. Poison ivy leached through my uniform pants and I had a very bad case of ivy on both legs, creeping up. Medics gave me calamine lotion that did nothing. We used bleach on the blisters which helped some. Can’t imagine what a soldier did for that in the 1860s

That was fascinating. I love doing primary research and the rabbit holes you end up going down. I was surprised by the results. I would have thought the QM issued what was most available, gum blanket or poncho.

👍Fascinating stuff, nice setting for your talk btw.

Y'all are bringing back some long-lost memories. The military has forms for everything. Even forms for requesting new forms. I once needed some new forms for requesting vehicle parts, but discovered we were out of the form to order new forms, I went to the warehouse, but the clerk wouldn't let me borrow a single form to request the form to order new forms! That single sentence describes life in the military. He finally let me have one form, but took it out of the pack I eventually got... Few people understand that maybe 70% of military personnel have 'civilian' jobs. We have warehouses for uniforms, personnel equipment, vehicle spare parts, maps, you name it. We have cooks, nurses, electricians, carpenters, gun-smiths, electronics-repair and everything else a self-sufficient town needs. They go to formation and do P.T.; then shit/shower/shave and have breakfast; then report for their 9-to-5 job. You can live off your family, and pay for training to be a welder; then - without any experience - try to get a job. Or... the Army will pay you $2,000 per month plus clothes, housing, food, and medical care while they train you. Then you get out and look for a job after several years of experience. Such an easy decision. I won't sell you a rainbow, it will suck; embrace the suck!

2:03 Wow, that's some uni-brow.