Lodgings on the Campaign...

[Greg Carter]

The US infantry participating in the campaign had to stay somewhere, and the shelter half was not quite in use yet. Was tentage carried along by wagon during that time? If so, what was correct tentage for US infantry in that scenario?

GMC

[[e-mail]]

Greg:

To answer your question about tentage, through records acquired from the National Archives, the wedge or "A" frame tent was the tent in usage by the regulars. They also had at their disposal 2-wheeled carts for transport.

By the way, regarding the chako worn by the regulars, the correct number of spokes on the hat was 20. For many years a source of controversy existed about the color of those spokes, colors ranged from a belief that they were white, to green, to the now accepted belief that they were black.

The issue regarding the breast plate is an interesting one, Steve Osman at Snelling has been asked this by our group. You must not forget that the fellas at Snelling would be among the last to get the more up-to-date accoutrements. It is known that the blank brass plate existed, as did the two variations of the eagle plate. As we portray the Fifth out of Dearborn, we use the silver-plate one. Both infantry and artillery units were merged into one among the regulars at this time. That also explains the variation in hat band color around the chako (white for infantry, gold or yellow for artillery).

Tom Steinkamp

[Greg Carter]

Tom,

Thanks for the advice on the tents. Do you or anyone else know anything about the method of transport? I can't remember reading anything about any supply trains. Just curious.

GMC