“Cost of a Knapsack complete …” 

1

Notes on Continental Army Packs

and the Soldiers’ Burden

 

John U. Rees

"According to orders our brigade marched from Prackanes on the 29th of July, and encamped at Paramus at night, fifteen miles. The men were exceedingly affected with the heat and fatigue. We marched on the succeeding day at two o'clock in the morning; at this early hour, the drums beat the reveille, which summons us from our hard beds and slumbers, in haste we roll up our travelling bed furniture, strike our tents, order them thrown into the wagons, mount our horses, and with a slow pace follow the march of our soldiers, bending under the weight of the burden on their backs." Surgeon James Thacher, August 1780.

2

Dunlap’s Partisan Corps on the march, autumn 1777 (as portrayed by the Augusta County

Militia and friends). Picquet post at Brandywine event, 24-26 September 2010.

 

 

A detachment of Dunlap’s Partisan Corps, in marching order.

 Above: Crossing the Brandywine Creek en route to their post at one of the many fords. Below: Returning to the main camp. All of the members of the company are wearing knapsacks and several carry camp kettles. The lone female follower carries a blanket roll and a market wallet.

Dunlap’s Partisan Corps (as portrayed by the Augusta County Militia and friends).

Picquet post at Brandywine event, 24-26 September 2010.

 

In Progress Part 1.

“This Napsack I carryd through the war of the Revolution” 

 Knapsacks Used by the Soldiers during the War for American Independence

a.

 

Overview b.

 

Knapsacks and Tumplines, Massachusetts, 1775 c.

 

The Uhl Knapsack d.

 

Leather and Hair Packs, and Ezra Tilden’s Narrative

 e.

 

The Rufus Lincoln and Elisha Gross Hair Knapsacks f.

 

The “new

 

Invented Napsack and haversack,” 1776

 g.

 

The Benjamin Warner Linen Pack h.

 

British Linen Knapsacks Appendices a.

 

Carrying Blankets in or on Knapsacks. b.

 

“

L

ike a Pedlar's Pack.”: Blanket Rolls and

Slings c.

 

More Extant Artifacts with Revolutionary War Provenance or with a Design Similar to Knapsacks Used During the War d.

 

Extant Knapsacks Discounted as having Revolutionary War Provenance

Part 2.

“I have a Number of Women employ’d in making Knapsacks …” 

 

 Miscellaneous General Orders and Notes on Knapsack Manufacture and Supply 

 Part 3.

“Complement of necessaries, etc., for the soldier.” 

 

What the Troops Were Supposed to be Issued

Part 4.

“ 

 Spare cloathing and necessaries ..."

 Personal and Other Items Carried in Continental and Militia Soldiers’ Knapsacks

 

Part 5.

"A habersack for Each Soldier" Ways and Means of Carrying Food, and the Burden of Rations

Part 6.

 

"We had always, in the army, to carry our cooking utensils in our hands" Cooking Gear and Other Items Carried by the Troops

Part 7.

 

“On foot, with my pack and large blanket at my back …” 

 Officers Carrying Knapsacks