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

[@richardross7219]

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

[@silverjohn6037]

The rubberized ones they had back then were a lot heavier but it would only take getting wet once to make the soldier glad to carry the weight.

[@richardross7219]

@@silverjohn6037 Ours were ripstop nylon with a thin rubber coating. They only weighed about a pound. My old ones disintegrated years ago. The best replacement(with less features) is the $10 poncho from River Country Products. Its the same size but doesn't have the gromets and snaps. My old woobie does fit it. Good Luck, Rick

[@silverjohn6037]

@@richardross7219 Sound like the shelter half we use in the Canadian Forces. They were great but if you had them rolled up too long the backing would just flake off the next time you took them out.

[@jasond1433]

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

[@11thovc]

We definitely agree!

[@johnmoreno9636]

What might be more interesting are diaries talking about campaigning on rainy days. I have read many accounts of lots of gear thrown by the side of the road from troops marching. But I agree. Having extra gum blankets is worth the extra weight. Plus remember, getting cold and wet could kill you back then. But after weeks of sucky weather, you probably just accept the misery. But it would be interesting to read what troops did. I find one gum blanket is not nearly enough to be dry.

[@johnmoreno9636]

Also, there might be a difference between eastern and western theaters. Richmond was near the supply points in Washington, and army of the Potomac was considered relatively well supplied. But Sherman cut his supply chains, and western armies marched long distances, so supply maybe not so forthcoming. Did your research for these western units show these supplies issued in the middle of campaign or only from departing depots.

[@johnmoreno9636]

And how many infantrymen were issued two gum blankets? And what about Confederate units? Did their supply of rain gear only come from recovered Union gear, or did Southern depots issue rain gear?

[@AtlatlMan]

Grunts often posess a remarkable ability to accquire things they're technically not supposed to have...

[@reddevilparatrooper]

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.

[@donaldlalone7014]

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.

[@Elk6903]

Glad they are helpful to you! Thanks for watching!

[@walkermoore3038]

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. "

[@jonathangomez9548]

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

[@Rifleman1842]

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.

[@HazmatC27]

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

[@gallantcavalier3306]

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!!

[@itsapittie]

That was interesting. Thank you for all the work.

[@nonamesplease6288]

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.

[@kidhammer2567]

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!

[@unitedwithbritian]

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

[@jadeekelgor2588]

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.

[@lanced3256]

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

[@brucegraham4332]

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.

[@giantskunk]

Excellent points. Some of this comes down to weight and time period represented. An extra gum blanket or poncho is not very heavy, especially compared to the greatcoat but adds a lot for protection or comfort. Also, for my 1865 Carolinas campaign impression, I wear a non-issued slouch hat, carry a Henry rifle I purchased with my “reenlistment bonus” and have a can of Borden’s condensed milk I bought from a sutler. So non-issued poncho I “acquired” would not be unrealistic.

[@jillatherton4660]

👍Fascinating stuff, nice setting for your talk btw.

[@johnhenry1395]

How many (Cav) were issued Henry or Spencer repeating rifles?

[@soparks]

Very interesting! I'm curious about the role of farriers in different situations. When they traveled from one place to another, where were they usually located? Did they usually camp in a separate area from the rest of the cavalry?

[@OldMusicFan83]

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

[@skylerslack12]

They weren't as common as you would think, but some units in the army of the Potomac were issued gaiters, this would have been some protection against the vegetation.

[@simpilot8508]

Where do y'all purchase your gum blankets ?

[@toddwebb7521]

What were mounted infantry issued?

[@BrettBaker-uk4te]

Boots/shoes how often a new pair issued?

[@danielkohli1542]

Ether four pairs of shoes per year (one pair every three months),or one pair of boots and two pairs of shoes per year (one pair of footwear every four months). If an individual needed to replace their footwear more than the alloted amount, it would be taken out of their pay.

[@twostep1953]

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!

[@twostep1953]

(At 2:39) Uniform issue must have taken forever! In my day, before computers, enlisted were given a form listing all the equipment issued, and signed once. In this example, EVERY line-item was not only signed for by the soldier, but by (the Supply Corporal?). God help the supply clerk who lost that book - even during combat. Our traditions go back to the British, including military accounting. Officers were provided cash and expected to purchase their own uniforms - which is why they were often made of better material and dyes which did not 'run' after being caught in the rain. In 1976 I had to drive from Texas A&M to Fort Hood and buy mine; before I was commissioned. Of course, we had the exact same uniform. All my web-gear, etc., was issued at Fort Benning, GA. then returned, and I received 'new' gear in Korea; then 'new' gear at Fort Polk, LA. and on and on...

[@richardlinneman594]

how often do you think there was battlefield pickup to augment their equipment?

[@SonOfTheDawn515]

Same as today. As often as possible. Especially comfort items.

[@orenmontgomery8250]

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

[@BillyBOB-sm3rl]

I have a question close to this issue. If I'm killed in a battle. One where we set up a biv wack. What happens to my gear I left. Tent half, pack, cooking utilities. Does the quartermaster come and take it all. For reissue or did the survivors take a look and see?

[@twostep1953]

(Former 2LT Supply, and later Mess, Officer for an infantry company.) Can't speak to the Civil War, but as early as WWI, the Germans sent the uniforms of dead soldiers back to the factory to be cleaned and patched (bullet holes, etc.) and re-issued. Usually, all issued equipment belongs to the government and will be returned to the supply system upon the death or discharge of the soldier, except for his clothes. For accounting purposes, the U.S. military (going back to the British Army) gives an uniform-allotment (that the soldier/sailor/etc. never sees) and then immediately takes it back for the clothes he wears. Eisenhauer once told visiting Congressmen who complained about the cost of the war (jerks!) that when a man lives in his uniform around-the-clock, those only last about a month. If a unit is pulled off the line and given new uniforms, the old ones are exchanged. I was astounded at how much paperwork there is to keep track of money that is only moved around on ledgers. And remember, since at least Korea, a company commander inspects, signs for, and is personally financially responsible for EVERYTHING in his company; from the gas-masks to the tanks - even in combat! You need a great Supply Sergeant (2LT's rotate additional-duties every few months to learn how to be a company commander), and sharp N.C.O.'s who hold their men responsible for lost/damaged gear to keep your own money in your pocket.

[@BillyBOB-sm3rl]

@twostep1953 I know about the modern military I served for 10 years. And everything is subbed to platoon LDR to squad ldr to vehicle driver. If they have a vehicle. I signed for millions of dollars in equipment when I was a squad ldr. We drew our TA50 from CIF. The company might issue some items. And we could get stuff from supply, pens, note books, and cleaning items for the barracks.

[@OldMusicFan83]

Quarter Master retrieved all discarded gear for reissue

[@KO3A69]

I know for the South there's loads of private purchases that happen that's why a certain units were a little more disorganized. But from that and the info most troops did spend their money on private goods.aka whatever they really need. Pluss some red light back then blue light fun and drinking fun.

[@bradleyhajost7161]

Very well done!🙌🏻👏🏻 I want a poncho with a HOOD! A “HooDie”. 😁

[@SAR9331]

Two is one & one is none. 2ponchos & 1gum tarp for me…

[@joshuathomas8529]

My question is how often did troops buy their own kit?

[@RealHunterVR]

I have a question for anyone who’s willing to answer. My question is, how do I find a reenactment group? I live in western South Dakota, and I’ve been trying for months to find a reenactment group somewhere near me (somewhere out of state since we were a territory at the time) If I were an adult it wouldn’t be a problem to travel wherever I need to go, but unfortunately I’m only 15 which limits travel quite a bit. So are there any websites or resources or something where I can find active groups?

[@Elk6903]

Hey! We have members come from Rapid City. What part of SD?

[@RealHunterVR]

@@Elk6903 funny enough I’m actually in the same area. Custer specifically

[@johnndavis7647]

The Confederate Calvary men is said to have gone into battle with as many as four revolvers. How many revolvers were issued to Union Calvery?

[@thodan467]

Yes, very

[@twostep1953]

11th Ohio Volunteer Cavalry... Few people understand how important States Rights were to the United States of America, as well as the Confederate States of America. Any unit, North or South, which has the state's name in it was created and originally funded by the state tax-payers; with officers appointed by the state legislature or governor. This authority is granted by the 2nd Amendment and Article I, Section 8 of the Constitution. "To provide for calling forth the militia to execute the laws of the union, suppress insurrections and repel invasions; To provide for organizing, arming, and disciplining, the militia, and for governing such part of them as may be employed in the service of the United States, reserving to the states respectively, the appointment of the officers, and the authority of training the militia according to the discipline prescribed by Congress;..." P.S. This is why the National Guard, etc., is NOT the Militia. Their officers are appointed and paid by the national government (it's in the name...).

[@williamfreeman9356]

More interested in shoes that wore out or never issued soldiers that were bare feet marching and uniforms that fell apart as soon as they got wet corruption in the supply industry ?