Campaign Furniture

[Nick Hoffman]

Campaign Furniture:

Obviously, there is no such thing as this, in any period military portrayal, so our recreated camps of the militia in the field should not include any form of chairs whatsoever. But what about the refugees? Should we include chairs for that camp or not? Also, what type of furniture is appropriate for the lead region? Almost all of the furniture one sees at an event in any period is totally farby, there has to be more authentic possibilities out there.

But again, I dont want to confuse people, this not about militia furniture, on campaign, there more than likely was no furniture.

Take Care,
Nick Hoffman

[Greg Carter]

Nick,

I think Bob's peg-stool is pretty good for the rough-hewn camp furniture appeal.

As for refugees, I seem to recall from different notes that many of the settlers who fled their homes to forts for protection tended to leave all the superfluous stuff they could behind. Apple River Settlers come to mind for the most part.

There is a brand-new history of Illinois written by a Prof. at UIC that I just picked up. It's chapters on the pioneers and settlers from 1820-1860 are a bit sketchy and short for my taste, but there is a qoute describing a cabin I will transcribe specifically about furniture in the homes.

GMC

[Robert Braun]

Ahhh... one of my more favorite subjects...!

Surprisingly, there is an emerging ready-made furniture trade--which included so-called "birdcage Winsor" chairs-- in New England during this period. America's highway, the Mississippi, provided the upper reaches of America (Missouri, Illinois, and the Lead Region) with access to the steamers and keelboats that came from St. Louis and as far away as New Orleans. Theoretically, any trade that passed through these warves and levees could be transported upriver for ready cash. This certainly included furniture.

In the decades after the BHW, furniture, and even homes, could be and indeed were shipped unassembled to recipients up and down the river.

GMC is correct... whatever the refugees had would have to be hand-carried, horse, or small cart portable. That severely limits the possibilities.

But hey... we're militia. That MUST mean "anything goes!" ;D

And we need to think of our comfort! Sooooo we can bring our two-piece slat chairs, tables, trundle beds, trunks, White Star Line deck chairs, kerosene lanterns, candelabras, etc., etc., etc., etc. I mean, everything those militia volunteers carried HAD to be one-horse portable, but we can just ignore that key fact in consideration of our own comfort, right? And..certainly noone in the "great unwashed public" will know any better, right? I mean, we REALLY don't have a duty and a charge when we stand before the public to show them something embracing the tenants of documented historical FACTS, do we?

[Nick Hoffman]

Yeeeehaw! Thanks for giving me the okay for my authentick furniture! I'll be sure to bring my marquee tent too, because awww shucks, they'd a had it, they'd a use it!

The B.A.R. (I know, not our period) has some great furniture guidelines for what can be used in camp at their hosted events. Roy Najecki has a great set on images for furniture that cannot be documented and are not allowed at events! You can see these items at the bottom of the page, on this link:
www.najecki.com/repro/Special-Images.html

The Milwaukee Art Mueseum has a HUGE display of American Art work, most of which is furniture. I'll check that out sometime before my school semester is over with and post the results...perhaps something interesting will surface.

Thanks,
Nick

[Greg Carter]

While we are at it, I think I will handcraft an authentic chaise lounge out of lodgepole pines and balsa wood! Anything goes, right? That means that if I can fit it on my back using a tumpline and some period duct tape, it must meet the "Campaign-style" seal of approval!

GMC

[Greg Carter]

On the serious side...

John Beck, a Baptist missionary travelling through Illinois in 1818 noted what he described as a "fair specimin of farms" as follows-

"A small log cabin in the middle of the cornfield housed an old man, his wife, a grown son, a grown daughter, two married daughters with their husbands and three or four small children. Not a table, chair or bed cluttered the dirty cabin. Shiftless indeed, and void of all backwoods' skill and enterprise, who could not make a table."

GMC


Source- Illinois- A History, Richard J. Jensen, University of Illinois Press, Urbana/Chicago, IL 2001

[Susan Gordy]

Why do you guys always have these great discussions when I'm not at work surrounded by my books? ;D

There is a great book out there called "Art and Architecture in Early Illinois" or something to that effect (sorry, I can see the book sitting on my shelf at work...). A good portion of book is devoted to Jacksonville and Galena, two of the most important trading centers in early Illinois history. While the majority of the book is post BH War there are great citations of early cabinetmakers in Galena and great examples of early furniture styles.

Also, in a "True Picture of Emigration" by Rebecca Burlend there is also mention of some of their furniture they used when first moving to Illinois.

This may not help much with campaign style furniture, but a citizen soldier still needs to be up on his furniture styles and how much he misses said furniture in which to sit upon, lie upon etc.

Also, at the MOMCC Conference next week there will be two sessions devoted to furniture styles. One is based on travelers descriptions of single room log homes while the other is based on Illinois homes specifically looking at letters etc. I plan to attend both sessions and if anyone is interested in the results, please let me know and I will post them here.

[Greg Carter]

Susan,

I am sure you can guess as to whether or not we want results from your research and education! Anything would be good to know, and I am sure that speaks for the rest of the interested parties here!

GMC

[Robert Braun]

Any provenance for the chair seen in the right foreground? It is a common sight at event gatherings...

[Nick Hoffman]

"They'd a had it, they'd a use it! Yeeehaw."

The highly respected B.A.R. specifically states that chairs of that construction are banned at events. There are plenty of period images available to reconstuct more authentic furniture.

For instance, when researching the Redcoat of the SYW, I have created several rules that apply:
1. Furniture is never found in the enlisted men's tent streets.
2. If encamped in a large urban center, furniture is found in camp, but only in the sutler and dependants camps, and with officers of high rankings.
3. If in the field, the sutlers and dependents merely have make shift tables and chairs, if at all.
4. If in Europe, officers of high status might have some furniture with them. However in North America, when not in garrison or at a situated encampment, officers make specific regulations to drastically limit furniture and extra equipment.

Now, people can find some random excuses in diaries or journals to counter this, however these are such odd cases, that they are usually dismissed. The fact of the matter is, soldiers in all time periods, when on campaign, are suited to be self efficient, and as militia of the BHW, that is what we have to portray.

But this is all besides the point. Where would a militia man carry a chair...tied to the back of his horse? ;D

Nick Hoffman

[Greg Carter]

I can't believe that you put that picture on this site, Bob. ;D

I think Bob and I can both drum up at least 4 accounts apiece from the ACW, but US and CS, that denote soldiers ditching their camp furniture after winter encampment when getting ready for the campaign season.

GMC

[Robert Braun]

In terms of availability of so-called "camp furniture" during the BHW, I think the most logical conclusions would include:

1. In settlements or cabins = probably;

2. In forts/strongpoints = possibly;

3. Accompanying refugees = slight possibility;

4. Accompanying the militia on active campaign = virtually no possibility.

[Rusty Ayers]

I think the world of living history would be vastly improved if everyone who drove to an event was required to make that drive in a VW Beetle or a two-seater convertible. Not only would the United States be less reliant on foreign oil, but it would FORCE you to take along only what you really needed. Ever tried stuffing a spinning wheel, a wall tent, a rope bed and two ladderback chairs into a hatchback?

When a trailer is required for two people attending a two-day event (who aren't merchants) something is drastically wrong.

That said, I must admit that I drive a minivan. But it's usually filled with McDonald's bags and old newspapers, not camp furniture.

[Greg Carter]

I think the world of living history would be vastly improved if everyone who drove to an event was required to make that drive in a VW Beetle or a two-seater convertible. Not only would the United States be less reliant on foreign oil, but it would FORCE you to take along only what you really needed. Ever tried stuffing a spinning wheel, a wall tent, a rope bed and two ladderback chairs into a hatchback?

When a trailer is required for two people attending a two-day event (who aren't merchants) something is drastically wrong.


Very good points Rusty. I can remember two years ago when I said "I will never sleep out under the stars. What would happen to me if it rained?" Heck, I can even remember owning a wedge tent. (Stop frowning, Bob)

The only thing I can say now is "why bother with all that junk?"

It was such a relief at the 140th Perryville not to have to haul all that crap to my truck.

GMC