Equipment of the militia

[Gene]

I was reading an article entitled Uniforms in the Black Hawk War and the Mormon War, Written by John Lee Allaman.
In this article he enumerates the items that a militiaman was expected to have, such as a musket, spare flints, a bayonet belt, a pouch, etc. He also mentions that many voluteers used a blanket and an oiled cloth or painted waterproof cloth to make a combination bedroll and knapsack. Does anyone know what kind of colors may have been used to cover the oiled or painted cloth? I imagine they must have certainly been tarred black, but are there any variations on this? And was there any configuration that the oiled cloth was in, such as a square or was it rolled like a typical bed roll?

[Greg Carter]

Gene,

I think you are going to find that there are numerous answers to your questions, depending on when in history you look. Good luck. When you do find something, please let me know too, because I have been wondering the same things. ;D

GMC

[Robert Braun]

What was Mr. Allaman's source of information for the blanket and oiled cloth or painted cloth combination?

[Gene]

The article is part of a compilation of articles. The section that Allaman wrote is also titled under Western Illinois Regional Studies, his resources are extensive and are enumerated at the end of his article. The list is four pages long, so it's hard to tell just exactly where the author pulled the information from.

But all in all, it contains some pretty interesting information including some fairly affirmative info about the use of hunting frocks, Allaman states that one Dubuque, Wisconsin territory newspaper mentioned the hunting frock still being sold in a store advertisment as late 1836. It also seems that brightly colored hunting frocks, particularly the blue linsey with fringe composed of red or other colors, was the universal outer wear of early illinois.

[Robert Braun]

I am sensing that the author did not footnote his work, rather he assembled a bunch of sources at the end. If such is the case, that's too bad.

I remain interested in his source of information for the oilcloth/blanket combination. And I guess I would need to see a copy of the text to understand the context of the passage.

Truth be told, I am skeptical of the assertion of the use of an oilcloth/blanket combination for militia of the Black Hawk War.

[Gene]

Yes and unfortunately theres is no further info about Allaman either, otherwise we could ask him directly, I also don't know when the article was written, due to the fact that it is a photo copy out of another book. But perhaps using the title of Western Illinois Regional Studies, we can check the state archives or state library. They must know something about this.

[Robert Braun]

While regulars usually carried a knapsack to store their personal effects in, many volunteers used a blanket and an oiled or painted waterproof cloth to make a combination knapsack and bedroll

John Lee Allaman, "Uniforms in the Black Hawk War and the Mormon War," Western Illinois Regional Studies, Vol. XIII, No. 1, Spring, 1990, p. 10.

This passage has been the source of several modern discussions regarding the use of "oiled or painted waterproof cloth" in the Black Hawk War. I was curious as to where Mr. Allaman might derive this conclusion, since such equipage and its use in making a combination knapsack and bedroll is not mentioned in the available BHW literature.

To resolve this descrepancy, I consulted Mr. Allaman's citations for footnote #16. He uses a citation technique I call "proximal citation," in which the order of the footnotes roughly follows the order of the quotes or conclusions offered in the paragraph text.

Support for Mr. Allaman's citations for cartridge boxes, canteens, etc. generally follow several Revolutionary War references, including Collector's Illustrated Encyclopedia of the American Revolution by Neumann and Kravic. However, when we approach the passage mentioning waterproof cloth-- using "proximal citation"-- Mr. Allaman quotes from the following sources:

1. Civil War Collector's Encyclopedia by Frank Lord;
2. Civil War Sketchbook by Kathleen York;
3. "Arms and Equipment for the Iowa Troops of the Civil War" by Cyril B. Upham;
4. American Military Equipage 1851-1872 by Frederick Todd
5. U. S. Army Clothing and Equipment, 1889
6. Accouterments of the United Stated Infantry, Riflemen, and Dragoons, 1834-1839 by R. T. Huntington
7. A C & D Jarnagin catalog from 1989, and
8. "So...You Want to Be a Mudsill?" by The Mudsills, Inc., 1989.

I own and have read nearly every source cited in this segment of the footnote. While I stipulate the pre-Revolutionary War military use of painted (waterproofed) cloth... NONE of these sources support Mr. Allaman's statement of use of this material by militia volunteers in the Black Hawk War!

I contend that Mr. Allaman has extrapolated the American military experience from the Civil War back 30 years, and invented the notion of the use of painted cloth in the BHW. Essentially, this is similar to extrapolating Civil War equipage from the Spanish American War military period---woven Mills Belts and bolt-action rifles in 1862!

Unless additional information to the contrary becomes available, the only reasonable conclusion is that painted cloth--as a rule-- was not used in the 1832 Black Hawk War by volunteer militia in the manner suggested by Mr. Allaman.

I guess they just got wet!

[Rusty Ayers]

Excellent. So this means that I can start using a gum blanket for 1832. What handy little items they are.

Seriously, the equipment of any given period is usually based on the experience (aka mistakes and/or shortcomings) of the previous period. Notice how the 1808 cartridge pouch has two flaps rather than one, and the tin tool box underneath the block. These are obviously design features based on the soldiers' experience during the American War of Independence, where one primary source indicated that Washington often tried to keep his army at least two days away from the British (especially in bad weather) because he had no confidence in the quality of the water-soaked cartridges in his troops' poor-quality pouches.

(Bob, I know you are going to ask me for the cite of that source, but all I can tell you is that it was from a British officer and I found it while doing research 15 years ago for the much-admired, late-lamented 2nd Battalion of Light Infantry.)

Anyway, getting back to my main thread, it probably WAS the experience of pre-ACW troops getting wet that made the powers-that-be decide each soldier needed some sort of rain covering or waterproof groundcloth. Hence the creation and mass distribution of oilcoths (CS) and gum blankets (US) during the Civil War.

[Robert Braun]

Rusty, I agree with your comments.

Regarding the item about Washington staying ahead of the British due to faulty cartridge boxes, I remember reading that in one of Ged. Godwin's catalogs... but never really knew where he got that info from!

All the same, the issue of rain spoiling cartridges was never more pronounced than in mid-September, 1777... when a sudden severe rainstorm saved Washington's Army--- and I would argue the cause for American Independence as well!

You never hear of this obscure little incident, but its impact was enormous! Read all about "The Battle of the Clouds" at--
www.ushistory.org/march/phila/clouds.htm

Regards, Bob.

[Rusty Ayers]

I remember the Battle of the Clouds... the 2nd LI was there. There was an excellent account of the British side of the "battle" by one of the LI officers... either Richard St. George or Martin Hunter of the 52nd Foot. They said they spent the entire day at the double-quick chasing Continentals through the mud. St. George/Hunter said they had never felt more tired at the end of the day.

The LI guys didn't mind wet cartridges because they preferred the bayonet (Remember Paoli!) but the line regts. were more shy.

[Greg Carter]

Well dip me in vulcan and call me gummy!

Thank goodness that the powers that be got smarter by 1861! I don't mind the bayonet, but since we can never use it anyway, I hate wet cartridges!

On the flip side of the coin, I guess I will have to sell off my ultra-authentic painted oilcloth teepee with polyprolene flaps and aluminum poles! Where will I hide my cooler and rope bed now?

On the bright side, OLRHS militiamen always seem to find a nice cabin or blockhouse to hit when rains begin to fall.

We certainly are the most authentic skulkers of the period, eh?

One Moc, Protector of the Knobs

[Robert Braun]

Gee Greg... "skulker" has such negative connotations in today's usage! I like to think that our militia impression "knows and uses its resources." And I would say that the group in particular is able to identify and take advantage of nearby resources once that rain starts to fall!

In my experience, there's little that can compare to a cozy fire in the fireplace of a hewn log building when it's raining outside! Particularly when in the company of friends!

Regards... Bob.

[Greg Carter]

Bob,

I could not agree with you more! I also think that innovation and resourcefulness are two of the key traits to being a militiaman... whether in 1832 or 2003 as a reenactor. Given the circumstances these men (and women) had to endure during their time on the frontier landscape, those two traits must have held considerable sway in the day-to-day goings on.

GMC

[richw]

Regarding oilcloth, oilskin, and painted cloth:
I can't say it was used in the BHW, but it was nothing new.
My guess is, like most people in the old days, when it rained, they got wet.

That being said, here is some information about making oilcloth.

Oilcloth can be several things:
oiled muslin, cotton flannel, or canvas (linen or cotton).

The term tarpaulin refers to heavy weight oilcloth or painted cloth.

These are the old time formulas I know of:
linseed oil and turpentine (yellow),
linseed oil and turpentine, with pine tar (brown)
linseed oil and turpentine, with black lead and Japan drier (black)
Source: Natl. Maritime Museum, NPS

The last formula is basically black paint, 19th century style.

Canvas soaks up alot of paint. To prevent this, wet the canvas first.

Old-time rain gear was made using the pine tar formula. I have seen a 19th century rain suit treated with the tar formula. It was still sticky, and had to be warmed before it could be unfolded.

Oilcloth references:
(gleaned from the web)

December 20, 1739 -- The Pennsylvania Gazette

Just imported from LONDON, and to be SOLD by Edward Bridges, at his house (the corner of Walnut Street in Front Street) commonly called the Scales: Variety of East India and European Goods, as Silks, Linnen and Woollen Drapery, Haberdashery, Hosiery, Checks and other Manchester Manufactury black and green Oil Cloth, Nutmegs and Cloves, Double refined Loaf Sugar, Lead in small bars: 3, 4, 5, 6, 8, 10, 12 and 20 penny Nails, English Cordage, and double flint Wine Glasses, at reasonable rates, for ready money or the usual credit.

July 7, 1763 -- The Pennsylvania Gazette

Just imported from London, in the Ship Myrtilla, Captain Bolitho, and to be sold, by Wholesale and Retail, at the most reasonable prices, by ISAAC and MOSES BARTRAM, Chymists and Apothecaries, at their store in Second Street, a little above the sign of George, a large assortment of drugs, chymical and galenical medicines, … Essence of Lemons and Burgamot, Oilcloth, Lockyer, …

January 12, 1764 -- The Pennsylvania Gazette

To be sold by Robert Hardie, at his store, in Carter Alley, wholesale or retail, Men and Womens Worsted Hose, Men and Womens Cotton and Thread Stockings, Linen Checks, Linens, Sheeting Dowlas, sewing thread, silk hankerchiefs, black breeches patterns, green Harreteen and trimmings, Silk Umbrelloes, jointed, Oilcloth, Hose and Davis shoes, Cheshire cheese, &c. &c. for ready cash, or short credit. Also an assortment of cutlery ware.

August 2, 1775 -- The Pennsylvania Gazette
To be sold by Robert Hardie, at his house, in Spruce Street, Morocco Leather, Oilcloth, and silk umbrelloes, men, women and boys white leather gloves, Barcelona Hankerchiefs, Pound Pins, &c, &c.

from "An Historical Account of the Expedition Against the Ohio Indians, in the year 1764" 

"...I propose a sort of surtout, to preserve men in a great measure from both wet and cold. Take a large checked shirt, of about half a crown sterling per yard, for it should be pretty fine; cut off the wrist-bands, and continue the opening of the breast down to the bottom; sew up the sides from the gussets downwards; rip out the gathers in the fore parts of the collar as far as the shoulder straps, and resew it plain to the collar.
The shirt will then become a sort of watch coat like a bed gown, with very wide sleeves. Take a quantity of linseed oil, and boil it gently till one half is diminished, to which put a small quantity of litharge of gold, and when it is well incorporated with the oil, lay it on with a brush upon the watch-coat, so that it shall be every where equally wet.
I suppose the watch coat, hung in a garret, or other covered place, and so suspended by crooked pins and packthreads in the extremities of the sleeves and edges of the collar, that one part shall not touch another. In a short time, if the weather is good, it will be dry; when a second mixture of the same kind should be laid on with a brush as before. When the second coat of painting is dry, the grease will not come off and the surtout is an effectual preservative from rain; it is very light to carry, and being pretty full on the back, will not only keep the man dry, but also his pack and ammunition.
The sleeves are left long and wide, to receive the but <sic> end of a firelock (secured) and to cover it below the lock. The coat is double breasted to be lapped over, according to which side the rain drives. A man will be kept dry by one of these surtouts as far as the knees. If from the vicinity of the enemy, it is improper to make fires at night, he may place his pack on a stone, and sitting upon it, change his shoes and leggins, and, if he pleases, wrap his blanket around his legs and feet, then drawing the watchcoat close to his body, it will keep him warm, as no air can pass through it, and, leaning against the trunk of a tree, he may pass a tolerable night, both warm and dry.
It would be of service to have a small piece of the same oiled linnen <sic> to put under the hat or cap to carry the rain down to the watchcoat or surtout, otherwise whatever wet soaks through the hat or cap, will run down the neck, and thereby in some measure defeat the design of the watchcoat. Perhaps it might be useful to mix some dark or greenish colour with the oil of the second coating, to make the watchcoat less remarkable in the woods."

[Robert Braun]

Hello and welcome to the Black Hawk War Discussion Board!

Please sign your full real name after each post, or set up your "Profile" to do this for you by completing the signature section. Full real name signatures are one of our very few Board requirements!

You present some outstanding information!!

And I will indicate my agreement with you, and others in this and other threads, that it makes sense that "oilcloth" should have been present at the time of the BHW. Unfortunately, there is not a single reference that has yet come to light.

There are references or mentions of dozens of mundane items known and used in 1832-- cups, coffeepots, frypans, etc., etc. ...yet not one for the lowly "oilcloth" (Mr. Allaman's wishful thinking notwithstanding.)

Thank you for joining our discussion!

Regards,

Bob Braun
Moderator.