Knapsacks...

[Greg Carter]

Use of a standardized knapsack by the Regulars in the period after the War of 1812 and through the Mexican-American War is a topic of debate among those who portray those soldiers. Some believe that the Lherbette knapsack of the 1812 period still was in use. Others point to use of the hard wood-framed "box" knapsack. Recent research has revealed a pattern of 1825 knapsack, known in Civil War circles as a "Kibler" knapsack because of its frequent copy by the Confederacy. This soft pack was basically a double bag knapsack, only the outer-most bag was actually a series of flaps that tied together, not a "bag" as it would sound conventionally. Black leather straps are the suggested method of shoulder carriage, not white straps as were popular in the post-Mexican War-era period.

GMC

[Peter Shrake]

Greg,
This is a very interesting topic. And a elusive one too.
Where is this research coming from? Are there records available in the National Archives concerning this? More importantly, are there any pictures or drawings of the pack?

Pete

[Greg Carter]

Pete,

Steve Abolt has the research information on the pack. It is the one his 7th US troops use without exception. To give you an idea what it looks like, look at the "Kibler" or "Mexican War" packs offered for sale by Don Smith of Trans-Mississippi Depot. An original Kibler pack is found in the book: Echoes of Glory: Arms & Equipment of the Confederacy.

The bag is basically a double bag soft knapsack, made of painted canvas or possibly Russia sheeting. I don't remember exactly which, but I believe it is canvas. The first bag closes at the top by means of a flap and three buttons. The outer bag is not really a bag at all, but rather a four-sided package. The blanket is folded and placed centrally on the flap, the the folds or sides are folded over and tied closed over it. The overcoat is rolled on the top, similar to other bags to follow the period. The back of the bag is painted with the regiment number in white within the cords of a white bugle, the insignia for infantry.

On a side note, author and historian Phillip Katcher speculates that there is a possibility that surplus Lherbette knapsacks may have been present at some frontier posts into the late 1820's or early 1830's in his book US Infantry Equipments- 1775-1910. Given their construction and age at the time of the Black Hawk War I have strong doubts that this is likely.

Significant documentation leading to either side of the argument is lacking to say the least.

This picture below is courtesy of the 7th US Infantry LHA website. They are depicting the Dade Massacre of the Seminole War. The knapsacks that the majority of the men are wearing are of the 1825 variety.

[Nick Hoffman]

WOW! Trans-Mississippi Depot sure is asking for a ton of money for that knapsack. I think we can make our own knapsacks...all we need is a pattern...perhaps Abolt can supply us with this one? Canvas is extremely easy to find in many weights. The hardest part might be finding the correct weight in leather.

My father makes our goat hide knapsacks for our F&I unit (55th Reg't)...all hand sewn. It's probably not nearly as authentic as a Trans-Mississippi Depot knapsack, but we wouldnt dream of charging anything near that price!

If we find the pattern, get the appropriate matterials, we can have knapsacks just as authentic, but a lot less expensive! ;D

Take Care,
Nick Hoffman

[Howitzer]

The knapsack you refer to is very easy to construct, the Fifth Regiment of U.S. Regulars has made three at this point in time. A pattern of sorts was in an old issue of Company of Military Historians which we were directed to by Steve Osman. The dimensions are listed on a drawing with a dimensional view of the bag. According to the author, the bags were made of canvas and blackened with regimental designation and U.S. painted in white. Straps on the bag were dark brown and leather.

The 1812 bag is even easier to construct. Don Ferricks from New Salem constructed one years ago and we have an example of his work as well. It was used by members of the New Salem Militia as an example of a possible militia backpack. It was painted light blue with red numerals and canvas strapping. It is a single bag with the flap having a drawstring opening in the middle.

Howitzer

[Greg Carter]

There are two other vendors I know of that don't cut corners on authenticity. The first is the vendor for the 7th USILHA, which is a guy named John Gattis. His contact information can be obtained through Steve Abolt. His work (several examples pictured above) costs about $100 plus shipping, or at least that is what he quoted me a year ago.

Bob Serio, proprietor of the Missouri Boot & Shoe Company, makes a Kibler pack with brown leather straps for $100 also, and it is reputed to be of fine authenticity standards (Good enough to get kudos on the website "authentic-campaigner.com"). I imagine he can come up with black leather fittings if he can already produce brown.

L.D. Haning also makes a Kibler knapsack, but it is intended for Confederate reenactors, not Black Hawk War era reenactors.

In defense of TMD, Mr. Smith asks high prices for high work. I don't know of anyone with his products who can complain about their accuracy or quality what-so-ever, including me.

I personally recommend John Gattis. He is quite personable and makes excellent knapsacks for an excellent price.

GMC

[Greg Carter]

One thing I must add to this, as far as Militia are concerned...

While Illinois' militia law orders that all men will acquire a knapsack within one year of their services, I am unaware of any Illinois militia using knapsacks in a documented source.

No offense to the boys at LNS because I love them all, but using militia packs, hat fronts, inspector uniforms, haversacks, etc. copied from the Old Sturbridge Village Collection of New England militia accouterments, which do not reflect any regional variety other than that particular region, does not seem to me to smack of historical accuracy. It is a case of "Other people had them around the same time, so they must have had them here too.", which can be a dangerous over-speculation at best, or worst, depending how you look at it. The sentence to follow about knapsacks would then be "Well, the regulars used them so we musta' used them too!"

If General Atkinson's request for "stuff to make wallets" and thread to sew them up was in fact intended for distribution to his militia forces, it would seem that knapsacks were not readily at hand to carry items.

Of course, since documentation does exist citing the use of knapsacks by the regulars during the final stages of the conflict, a knapsack is definitely right for that impression or portrayal.

GMC

[Nick Hoffman]

Greg, I agree with your statements on knapsacks and militia use. Of course most of the militia in the BHW were mounted and I find it extremely rare in any time period that mounted soldiers wore knapsacks...infact off the top of my head I cannot recall of an instance where it does happen! The horse is used to carry equipment, so there's no need for something on your back.

Lots of documentation of Regulars with knapsacks at Bad Axe. The diary of Henry Smith cites the Regulars taking them off going into the Battle of Bad Axe.

Take Care,
Nick Hoffman

[Howitzer]

According to Steve Osman, there were two possible choices for knapsacks, the Lhebrett which you have already referred to, and the Glengarry which is very similar to the bag you describe.

[Greg Carter]

Nick,

Good points. I have only read of one instance of a mounted soldier carrying a knapsack. In his book Rebel Private: Front and Rear William Fletcher describes using a Federal knapsack he took from a dead man at Chickamauga when assigned to Terry's Texas Rangers towards the end of the War. Of course, that has no practical value in Black Hawk times.

Howitzer- Is there any chance you could copy me your pattern for the 1821 gray shell jacket? I can call you if you want or come out to Belvi to get it from you.- GMC

[Robert Braun]

We're a bit off center here-- discussing militia in the U.S. Regulars section-- but for the sake of the discussion, I can find no indication whatever that the Illinois or Michigan Territory militia used knapsacks of any make or model during the Sauk War.

While the 1792 Militia Act is specific:

That every citizen, so enrolled and notified, shall, within six months thereafter, provide himself with a good musket or firelock, a sufficient bayonet and belt, two spare flints, and a knapsack, a pouch, with a box therein, to contain not less than twenty four cartridges, suited to the bore of his musket or firelock, each cartridge to contain a proper quantity of power and ball; or with a good rifle, knapsack, shot-pouch, and power-horn, twenty balls suited to the bore of his rifle, and a quarter of a power of power; and shall appear so armed, accoutred and provided, when called out to exercise or into service, except, that when called out on company days to exercise only, he may appear without a knapsack.

I am finding that many of the provisions were frequently overlooked. The frontier harbored the lower echelons of American Society, and the Jacksonian Age was no different. While a better societal structure and the higher personal wealth of East Coast families may have been able to afford items like knapsacks and a fancy uniforms for militia participants, it would appear that other segments of the country subsisted on the bare minimum needed by the militiamen when actually in the field.

More to the point, Sturbridge's collection of militia goods is an excellent starting point for antebellum militia study (as Almanac has already indicated.) It makes sense to me that the material culture reflected in this collection is centered in the militia traditions of New England. One might built a case for the extension of this culture into say the U. S. Mineral District IF the emigrants to the region came primarily from New England.

Unfortunately, our continued studies indicate that New England "Yankees" were a distinct minority in the Mineral District. This tends to reduce the opportunity for New England culture and trends, including militia traditions, to be expressed in the District. Rather, the culture and traditions of Kentucky, Tennessee, Missouri, and Virginia would be more evident.

Moreover, there is only small evidence for any kind of a "standing" militia in the District and Northern Illinois. The militias were not pre-established companies and battalions, as in New England. Instead, they were called up and enrolled as needed, then disbanded when the perception of danger subsided.

It makes sense to me that a "standing" militia, one with regular meetings, etc. would certainly be a prerequisite for materials like canteens, knapsacks, and hat plates to be painted with specific company or regimental designations.

I respect the intentions of folks interested in portraying antebellum militia for a largely ignorant modern public... however, such impressions should be guided by the realities of the frontier population of the Mineral District.

[Greg Carter]

Bob,

You are so good at laying out all the stuff I want to say! ;D

For the sake of argument or discussion, and so we stay on track, if there are further comments pertaining to the militia using knapsacks, could someone start a thread in either the "Illinois Militia" or "Michigan Territory Militia" boards if the topic remains debatible? If not, lets end it right here and refocus on knapsacks and related items used by the Regulars, not the militia.

GMC

[floridawar]

A few years after the Black Hawk War in the Second Seminole War the army employed thousands of militia as well. In 1836 General Scott was pissed to find out there was no law authorizing the US Army to provide knapsacks or haversacks to volunteer troops who did not have them on hand. A law was quickly passed to that effect, allowing volunteer troops in Florida those articles at government expense. Clearly, though the militia acts were clear that each many should already have some sort of knapsack, the reality appears quite different.
Regarding the pattern: Stephen Osman and Fred Gaede's published research suggests the US Army adopted a less ornate pattern in 1814 to replace the Lherbette and cow hide patterns issued prior to and during the war. This was the "Glengarry" knapsack about which little is known, other than it was painted black, and was suspended from leather straps. This knapsack appears to have been generally employed through the early 1830s. By 1835 they were replaced by a new pattern (according to Army inspection returns), which was also painted black and suspended from leather straps. Unfortunately, no documented examples of either one have been concretely identified, though, as earlier noted, the Confederate single bag knapsacks are believed to generally reflect the design of the 1835-1855 type. So, a black painted single-bag knapsack with leather straps is the order of the day for Black Hawk War use.

James Marshall
Florida Frontier Guard.