Knapsack Packing - Vol II, Ep. 13

As a modern soldier, when i look back at this series i keep thinking how these guys were expected to fight a war with almost zero equipment

Wasn't there a periodical early in the war produced by old soldiers that gave helpful insights into life on the march and how to pack your 'ruck'

I pack similar to this illustration, except I place my fry pan on top of my blanket under one of the four flaps. My logic is I will be in camp when cooking and will also be taking out my blanket. Great videos.

According to the 1861 Uniform Regulations, "the great coat, when carried, to be neatly folded, not rolled, and covered by the outer flap of the knapsack" (p. 16).

I really enjoy your videos on the rations and how to prepare them. I think i might have an answer to why it is so hard to find a a regulation on how to pack your Knapsack. I have been in the Marine Corps Infantry for almost ten years and i have been reenacting since I can remember. In the modern day military there is no doctrine or regulation on packing your pack. We pack in accordance with unit standard operating procedures (SOP). This is dictated by the Company or Battalion Commander. Generally the idea is that everyone has there pack the same way for the sake of uniformity but it is ultimately left to the commanding officer.

I've read a number of accounts that state or hint that the men would cook up their rations as soon as they got them, eat as much as they could, then stow the rest. The meat would then take up less room and tend to last longer. Even though the haversack is meant only for your rations, I will still keep "littles" in it that I need to access quickly and that won't get spoiled by grease. I don't like to carry much in my trowser pockets as it can be uncomfortable marching and you're more apt to lose things. My .02¢.

I’ve always rolled my blanket up in my gum blanket and strapped it on top. I have a County Cloth 1851 blanket, and there is no way in the world that it will fit in the “trunk”. You may ask what about access to the gum blanket as rain gear. I’ve found its better to keep that wool blanket dry at all hazards. One your clothes will dry on your person quicker than your blanket will dry. You will sleep miserable under a wet blanket, and a wet blanket weighs a ton. Plus a gum blanket really sucks as rain gear, and trying to stay dry is an exercise in futility. If it’s cold enough for an overcoat just wear it rather than pack it. Otherwise toss it in a ditch, and draw a new one next year.

Found this in a soldiers account from the 2nd Michigan. It was written about preparing for Sunday inspections in July 1861. “…the knapsack with blanket rolled and strapped on top must contain a change of shirt, socks, and underclothing.”

Informative...thank you!

A very good channel. You put in a great deal of effort and provide good useful information.

Found this from Private Ira Jeffers, Company F, 137th New York Infantry: "We have turned over a part of our clothing to the Quartermaster so that we can carry the more rations and we have got to carry eight days rations and our knapsacks with one pair of stockings, one shirt, one pair of drawers, one piece shelter tent, one rubber blanket, one woolen blanket, and overcoat."

My research I discovered both the 1857, and the 1861 US Army regulations do state that the greatcoat is either place in between the knapsack or on top of the role depending of what the soldiers on the campaign, in quarters or on the March.

If you want an account of knapsack-packing done very badly, look up the book "Corporal Si Klegg and his Pard" chapter 10. The book was written by a Civil War veteran, and though fictional it's based on his real experiences.

Man you had me worried there for a moment I thought maybe you were going to forget the Bible and the House Wife Sew Kit. You are set. Right On…

keep up the great work

Thank for all the great information

Thanks for making this task easier for me. The one thing I would always dread when it came to a reenactment was packing my knapsack. Now it is going to be a breeze.

Great video.

I loved this because I'm a reenactors and the video gave me a lot of really good information that will help me

please, if you want to impress me, you will do the British pattern knapsack used during the war! I can't figure that one out.