US Packing for Chancellorsville - Vol VI, Episode 9

[@kidhammer2567]

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!

[@99Racker]

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.

[@Shpadoinkle0007]

The US Sharpshooters were ordered to drop packs and leave them under guard before going into combat at Chancellorsville. They never saw them again.

[@andrewroscoe4318]

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.

[@Shpadoinkle0007]

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.

[@davidellis7081]

Somebody enjoyed the booty! What happened to the guards? Dereliction of duty, I say! Carry on, but don't get carried away.

[@davidellis7081]

I think I would have hung on to my gear as long as possible. "Orders are orders" be darned!

[@irockuroll60]

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

[@robertweber567]

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.

[@grant6165]

I always wondered how all of those rations fit in there during Chancellorsville. Very informative.

[@rc59191]

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.

[@chrishastings2665]

Just spent the weekend with Andy at LLH. I wasn't in his company but he's a super cool guy. And he let look through his period binoculars.

[@brightly9318]

I was just at rosecrans pursuit and got to meet will. He is really informative, and it was a great event.

[@redjoshman]

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.

[@pedroguerrero3862]

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.

[@brightly9318]

Right, my first few events I carried all kinds of stuff, the last couple I had a blanket roll with a a few extras.

[@Hi-lb8cq]

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

[@CalNoble]

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...

[@CivilWarDigitalDigest]

I had the thought as I was packing it!

[@guynemer53]

Always good to hear a reference to the 6th WI. LH at 2nd Battle of Fredericksburg 2018. Fun time.

[@Wdstroud]

CWDD is just great. Learning so so much. Thank you all.

[@bcarreon6409]

Andy!!

[@Beaguins]

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.

[@j.lebowski3917]

Looking very good, Will. These are the kind of videos I love.

[@joshuathomas8529]

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.

[@ufc990]

Do you know if the extra ammunition was carried in paper cartridge or separate powder and ball?

[@pedroguerrero3862]

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.

[@ufc990]

@@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.

[@sqike001ton]

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

[@edwilson5727]

Fantastic video Will and Andy. Excellent!

[@josephgonzales4802]

Great video as always. But once you add the meat ration the weight of the knapsack is back up to the early war knapsack.

[@CivilWarDigitalDigest]

Meat ration?

[@77thNYSV]

What a great video. I hope to see similar ones in the future.

[@rc59191]

My teeth hurt just looking at all that hardtack lol.

[@justinmays9680]

Good job

[@RockinL7BuckingBulls]

Huzza for another informative issue of CWDD. A Dead Whale or a Stoved Boat!

[@sloanchampion85]

Enjoyed it

[@Rango37]

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!

[@CivilWarDigitalDigest]

We will dig for some photos but it is safe to say you should have your own knapsack as a musician.

[@Rango37]

@@CivilWarDigitalDigest Thanks. Great videos by the way, you guys are an excellent resource!

[@michaelhobson1890]

Is there any contact information or a website for the gentleman who made the hardtack. I am interested in buying some.

[@DihygnMonoxide]

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!

[@bcarreon6409]

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?

[@andrewroscoe4318]

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.

[@ralphgeigner5497]

Excellent, ? What is the name of the Hardtack company ? Segment 7:49/ 13:22

[@rileywilliams9385]

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.

[@CivilWarDigitalDigest]

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

[@trevoringram7655]

Any word yet on that hardtack?

[@jeffdennis1246]

Where could I find information about what a typical Artilleryman would have carried?

[@CivilWarDigitalDigest]

As far as food, this would be the same. They would also have knapsacks. No musket or small arms ammunition though.

[@ShootFirstSev]

Of what make are your knapsacks? They look to be of good quality.

[@CivilWarDigitalDigest]

At least two of the three are Missouri Boot & Shoe. Will

[@ShootFirstSev]

@@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!

[@CivilWarDigitalDigest]

Comfort is a relative term when it comes to Civil War knapsacks. LOL that said, I like mine a lot! Will

[@ShootFirstSev]

@@CivilWarDigitalDigest The chief bother on mine are the shoulder straps. They're of hard leather and really cut in...

[@ScottAvellino1]

Any info on the hardtack cutters?

[@CivilWarDigitalDigest]

Details soon! Was chatting on tat earlier today! Will

[@40rounds48]

...hardtack come again no more!

[@Jubilo1]

Did I miss Will's tin cup and eating utensils? Dandy video!

[@CivilWarDigitalDigest]

Utensils in haversack. Cup was forgotten that day accidentally. Mine usually straps on the middle knapsack strap.

[@michaelfitzell2741]

What about coffee?

[@CivilWarDigitalDigest]

In the haversack.

[@lesterflores9254]

Just wondering. What was the weight of each knapsack set up?

[@CivilWarDigitalDigest]

We neglected to grab that, sadly. Our video reviewer (part of our editing process) asked the same thing. Will

[@andrewroscoe4318]

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.

[@lesterflores9254]

@@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).

[@awaxx7863]

I thought the man on the left was a statue or mannequin for a moment…

[@xavierpaololedesmamandreza]

Wrong spelling. Knapsck vrs Knapsack.

[@jaywinters2483]

If they told me to drop my Bible, I would defy them. Throw me in jail.

[@foxhoundr3364]

Try being a modern Grunt.. Just saying