Tent Floor

[garretttcrooks]

Would an old wool rug be an authentic ground cloth for my tent?

[DamYankee25]

Are you talking about a shelter/dog tent? Ask yourself this, would that soldier carry a heavy wool rug? He would carry his gum blanket however, they make perfect ground clothes.

[garretttcrooks]

well i have a wedge tent that is like 9ft deep... i cant find a gum blanket that big....

[Pvt Schnapps]

It depends on how authentic you want to be. Butterfield's "Camp and Outpost Duty" notes that General Orders forbid the transport of tent floors.

In 1861 or in garrison you might get away with it, but for most situations portrayed at reenactments, any "tent floor" just wouldn't be right.

I think it also falls into the category of extra stuff that just isn't worth the weight and hassle. Most events that would allow tent floors have straw, which does a better job all round, plus you don't have to take it home and clean and dry it.

If the size of the tent is a determining factor, you could always go with a smaller one.

[Spinster]

Well, we're talking a full sized common tent here, hence the discussion turns more towards 'winter quarters'.

If the number of men are in that common tent that would have been assigned to such THEN, the gum or painted cloth blankets will most certainly fully cover the floor.

If you are talking about wanting to cover the floor fully with only one or two people occupying that tent--well, you could use an old wool rug, but its a pretty bad idea without a ground cover under it. Once it starts raining, or even a good damp ground, and that wool rug is going to triple in weight, soaking up mud and water and taking days to dry.

You're right, nobody's making gum blankets that big. They aren't correct. There are a few vendors making a fancy painted floorcloth that big, for $$$$--of the sort you might have taken from a home. Or, you can obtain an appropriate amount of canvas, linseed oil, japan dryer, and pigment, and make one yourself.

Does it work better than a wool rug? Yep. Made both, used both. Wool rug's back in the house. Big honkin' painted cloth is in the truck, ready to go.

[trainwreck]

One person in my group uses an old rug. I would use it if you cant find a gum blanket that big. Unless your going to show an authentic tent at a living history or something, I would use it.

just my two cents

Stephen

[TheQM]

well i have a wedge tent that is like 9ft deep... i cant find a gum blanket that big....

Garrett,

The QM specs for a Common Tent were 6' 10" tall, 6' 10" long, and 8' 4" wide. (Four guys each got a space 6' 10" long and 2' 1" wide.)

If you feel the need to have the entire floor of your tent covered, I would suggest a canvas drop cloth. An enterprising private would be far more likely to come up with a scrap of canvas, rather than a wool carpet. At the events where I use my Common Tent, I usually just bring an extra rubber blanket to put on the ground.

Of course, none of this has much to do with how actual Civil War soldiers lived.

[Busterbuttonboy]

Just as a side note this statement bothered me a bit. This is not meant to spur on a debate and is put forth as a rhetorical statement. I understand the focus of the thread and answers have been given.

"Unless your going to show an authentic tent at a living history or something, I would use it."

This brings up a major issue. Once the public sees something dressed in anything remotely resembling a civil war soldier; what you do, what you wear, sleep on/in, eat, drink and how you act reflects on their impression of history. A reenactment is not just for those who want to steal away for a weekend, its for the public who trusts us to present to them an accurate depiction of 186x, as well for for the men who we seek to emulate. To just reenact for the sake of dressing up, with no regard for why or what you are wearing, using or sleeping on is pointless.

Finally no without a ground covering a wool rug is pointless, it'll be as wet as the ground, regardless of if your 'just reenacting' or at a living history.

"Of course, none of this has much to do with how actual Civil War soldiers lived. " Bill your awesome.

[Poor Private]

As a person previously stated by using straw as flooring--not me candle wax, dropped matches there is a good chance of starting a fire. Straw on the floor especially when it's raining absorbs water. Nothing like having everything wet. Also straw as a floor, or filling a mattress ticking is as unauthentic as the wool rug. Use the local flora.
This all being said, I also toss something on the ground of my dog, shebang, leanto, wedge tent also. I use a hunk of canvas. If your looking to dress up your floor take the canvas and paint it in period designs or colors - say you foraged/stole/apropriated it out of a house.
I do mainstream events and if a spectator looks into my tent then they have untied my tent flaps, or untied and lifted up the piece of canvas I use to cover the entry, which I take as an invasion of my privacy. I sometimes have none period stuff in my tent, the street clothes I changed out of, the plastic tub that contains all the loaner stuff for that event. Not including my valuable personal articles such as my musket, pistol(if called for) and wallet, and keys.
When I do leave the ends or front open for viewing it is intended to be viewed by the guests/spectators of the event, and is as period as any other facility at the event---ground cloth and a wool blanket, and my kit is all you will see.

[Rob Weaver]

I think the "tent flooring" forbidden in the orders is actually boards or puncheon laid side by side to create a floor. Understandably, the army didn't want to use up space transporting this kind of junk. These kinds of tents never had a floor. There's really very small need to cover the entire tent floor with a ground cloth. I've gotten along without anything of this nature for years.

[flattop32355]

The 9' deep common tent is actually oversized, as previously noted. I own one and use it at various reenactments when the standards are such that it is acceptable.

I simply use three ponchos/gum blankets as the ground covering, which takes in all but one of the front corners and a slight bit along the side edges where it doesn't matter. If you require all the space to be totally covered, you can use four gums and overlap them. Less expense, easier to fold and carry than a rug, and more correct, as each of the 4-6 men who would have been sleeping in that style tent woud have had one.

I know that a number of civilians like to use rugs in their common tents, including many in my unit. It's one of the reasons that I'm eternally grateful that I do military: Much less baggage to carry around.

[Pvt Schnapps]

As a person previously stated by using straw as flooring--not me candle wax, dropped matches there is a good chance of starting a fire. Straw on the floor especially when it's raining absorbs water. Nothing like having everything wet. Also straw as a floor, or filling a mattress ticking is as unauthentic as the wool rug. Use the local flora.
This all being said, I also toss something on the ground of my dog, shebang, leanto, wedge tent also. I use a hunk of canvas. If your looking to dress up your floor take the canvas and paint it in period designs or colors - say you foraged/stole/apropriated it out of a house.
I do mainstream events and if a spectator looks into my tent then they have untied my tent flaps, or untied and lifted up the piece of canvas I use to cover the entry, which I take as an invasion of my privacy. I sometimes have none period stuff in my tent, the street clothes I changed out of, the plastic tub that contains all the loaner stuff for that event. Not including my valuable personal articles such as my musket, pistol(if called for) and wallet, and keys.
When I do leave the ends or front open for viewing it is intended to be viewed by the guests/spectators of the event, and is as period as any other facility at the event---ground cloth and a wool blanket, and my kit is all you will see.

In garrison, the army issued straw. Along with forage, fuel, and stationery, it was one of the items provided by the department of regular supplies within the QM department, for which they also provided a specific form, QM No. 36, which you can find in the Regulations. It provides insulation and does not absorb water.

Plus, you would be rather more likely to find it in agrarian communities than stored harvests of wool carpeting.

[Rob Weaver]

That hunk of carpeting is going to be nasty to roll up and tote home wet. The straw can stay onsite.

[mtodriscoll]

Here's what my family uses for our 3 tents:
- plastic tarp on the ground
- heavy grade painters canvas on top of the plastic

When we setup camp, we fold the canvas over the tarp edges so you can't see any of the plastic.

This has worked well for the last 3 years. Many of the events it has rained profusely (e.g. The last 3 New Market events) and our gear remains [mostly] dry. You have to be sure nothing is holding down the edges of the tarp where water can run on top. I've seen others use carpets on top of the tarps, but the carpets are pretty heavy; whereas the painters canvas is light and folds pretty flat.

Note: I realize everything I just mentioned is not historically accurate. As has been previously mentioned, the fact that we have tents at all is incorrect (since most events are not portraying winter quarters or long term camp). However, this setup keeps the wife and 3 kids happy - which keeps me happy.

We strive to keep everything covered and only period correct items in sight. Typically, when spectators come by, we tie the tent flaps closed. Then all they see is the period correct A-Frame tent in a non-period situation. That just gives us a chance to educate our guests about when/where tents would be used and how many soldiers the tent would house.

The situation for campaign-style events is another story altogether...

[bob 125th nysvi]

Would an old wool rug be an authentic ground cloth for my tent?

my first suggestion is to ditch the large tent. I think after a couple of reenactments you are going to find it a pain in the keyster. And all the things you add to it to make it 'comfy' just becomes more heavy junk to drag around.

It also solves the "floor" problem as in a ground cloth is now big enough to cover your 'half' of the shelter tent.

If for argument's sake you want to keep the battleship (opps I meant tent) then just do without the floor. When the army WAS using that type of tent the soldiers didn't worry about floors. They kept their knapsacks packed (traditionally the Army wanted you to ready to move at 10 minutes notice so the first thing you'd do in the morning is pack most of your gear) and when it was time to sleep they put down their cloths and blankets. It would be more authentic to have a bare 'floor' than to put something in it.

[Rescue901]

I spent years in Uncle Sams Hiking and Camping club and then used a dog tent for 10 years at reenactments sleeping on the ground or straw. I bought an A frame last year and love it. My old bones now like to sleep on a soft pillow of air and gone are the days of leaving my tent open for spectators, I tie it closed now. For those occasions where its not permitted I go seek a local Inn or don't bother going. Anyway back on topic I use 2 gum blankets which covers a nice area.

[flattop32355]

Given health/age issues, I'm more than happy to cut some folks some slack concerning air matresses, etc. at mainstream events.

I'd rather have the good ones in the field than on the sidelines.

[bob 125th nysvi]

between cutting someone slack because of real life issues and doing it because you think it is cool.

Personally I don't care what Garrett does it is his hobby too. If he wants a tent and cot and rug and is willing to lug all that stuff and set it up himself more power to him.

I just think he is starting down the wrong path.

I think we can all buy into the real life issue scenario but unless I'm mistaken Garrett is a relative kid. Now if he has an issue which makes it difficult or impossible for him to sleep on the ground then by all means put a cot in a tent and sleep comfortably. Just remember to tie the tent closed when you aren't in it.

[garretttcrooks]

my cot is getting too small for me any way, im thinking about just getting a tic and sleeping on the floor of my tent on a rubber blanket, would this be more authentic than the cot? Yall have been in the hobby longer than i have, and i want to keep my wedge tent, but i want to stay as authentic as possible while im camping it said tent, suggestions are needed!

[bob 125th nysvi]

my cot is getting too small for me any way, im thinking about just getting a tic and sleeping on the floor of my tent on a rubber blanket, would this be more authentic than the cot? Yall have been in the hobby longer than i have, and i want to keep my wedge tent, but i want to stay as authentic as possible while im camping it said tent, suggestions are needed!

MOST authentic is a blanket and ground/oil cloth. In the Union Army soldiers were issued both. Now depending on weather and personal choices sometimes soldiers used just one or the other and even neither. Sometimes they lost or threw them away to lighten their load.

As for tenting each soldier was issued mid-late war one shelter half. Those big tents went the way of the dodo after the Army dumped the company wagons.

Now the above is a general statement you can find exceptions to everything.

But if you start with a shelter half, one blanket and one cloth that's a pretty authentic base.

Think this way. You have to carry everything on your back as well as the colors. You want that load to be as minimal as possible while still providing all of your needs.

So take your knapsack pack in one each of the items listed above. Pack in whatever extra clothes you need to take along and any personal items you want.

Now add that second shelter half if you aren't going to tent with someone else. Now add on a ticking or cot.

Don't forget poles, stakes and ropes since generally we can't make those out of local materials on site.

See where I'm going? Sooner or later your load is going to be so big you aren't making it across the field never mind 20 miles.

Real CW soldiers wouldn't carry some of this stuff (like poles and stakes) because they didn't have too. But you do so you need to factor that into your impression/load.

Now after a couple of times in the field you may find you don't need a blanket or even a tent (certainly not a whole one) and you can whittle your load down to be both more comfortable and more authentic.

Nobody in my company carries anything bigger than a shelter tent. We use the big tents for living histories, educational seminars and for the civilians over in the civilian camp. We own them but we don't use them in the field.

[josie wales]

Hey, OMGolly....y'all have totally missed the point......its all about the beer/cola/chips: transport....shelter.....conceal.....reveal.....di spose: Try going a few days "out-of-the-saddle" and you may begin to comprehend logisticlly, Just a thought, JW

[61' reb]

For the past few years I have campaigned and slept on the ground but I previously got married so the A frame tent is becoming home to my wife and I for the weekend. I believe that I would follow what some of the other lads have mentioned here before. If you are a family man with a wife, or if you are looking for a more waterproof bottom to a tent, I would lay down a tarp, then put a canvas cloth down on top of that. That way you have a decent waterproof floor to your tent. It isn't the most authentic way to cover your tent floor but then again this forum isn't the authentic campaigner, its the civil war reenactors forum where reenactors of all types have questions and reenactors of all types answer those questions. Tarp on the ground and a ground cloth beats sleeping on the ground and getting soaked when the rain creates a river inside of your tent.

The most authentic way to do it would be to research, research and research. Find out what type of event it is, what year in the war it was, what they were issued and all that malarchy. Then you can decide for yourself what to do, whether it was a garrison event with possibel a frames, or if you were just on the march with a dog tent, or even without. Just my two cents worth. I'd say do whatever makes you the most comfortable at an event.

[flattop32355]

Speaking as a mainstreamer, let us not forget that this forum does not preclude how the more accurate among us would do things.

To eliminate those opinions is to eliminate part of the options availabe to the questioner.

This forum is not limited to the least accurate way of doing things, nor an okay but not really good way, nor a decent way but not the best way, nor the most accurate way. It allows for opinions across the spectrum.

The back and forth between the various factions of the hobby grants the questioner to see the possible options, weigh their value to his/her desires, and to choose between those options.

So long as those discussions/expressions of opinion are done within the realm of civil discourse and tolerance, they are perfectly viable on this forum.

[Bill_Cross]

Of course, none of this has much to do with how actual Civil War soldiers lived.
I am biting my tongue.... ;)

[Spinster]

Both Dr. Biederman and Mr. Preston have touched on a primary philosophical question that needs to be answered before making any decisions on Clothing, Equipment & How To:

What is the goal or mission statement of this event?

If your mission is to 'present as accurately as possible for the time period allotted' then you'll get one answer to a question.

If your goal is 'to present a slice of battle reenactment that looks good at battle distances and otherwise spend a fairly comfortable weekend' then you may get a different answer.

Each answer may certainly fit its mission statement well.

To give a clearer example, I'll remove the example from the CW time period and take it back 100 years earlier. I do an event at which I begin set up on a Saturday, with two vehicles full of plunder, and load up and leave Sunday night or Monday morning a full week later. 8 days a week, right here.

For a number of years, we worked ourselves to death trying to make everything just so, 24/7--right down to preserved food for a large group for a full week, with no ice around, and dinner on the hoof or wing as the case may be. If we didn't haul up enough wood and water by hand, we did without, and so forth. And, normally I'd be getting sick about 5 days into the event, when the work load was the heaviest and be worthless for a week thereafter.

Finally, we looked at what the goal of the event was for us. Surprise! The goal of the event was to educate the 10,000+ school children through the gate, by dyeing whatever yard goods and yarn we needed for the next year, in a period manner, during open hours.

Suddenly the perspective changed--now, at 6:00 am, a gas burner gets fired up, and 50 gallons of water gets to a roiling boil. Hot water for breakfast, dishes, people, and to start dyepots. Done, turned off, cool and out of sight by 7:30, and we've got things coming out of those dyepots when the first groups come up to the rope line. We've eaten, we've washed, and we are MUCH NICER to the school children.

The key to this is we all agree on what the goal is for our organization for this event--and the event agrees as well.

Sometimes our goal is completely different. A while back, I dropped a place marker in Doc's email, staking out a full week, for an event that does not have an official title yet, only a working title of Big Wagons, Big Mules. There, the goal will be 'to accurately depict' and in non-spectator, wilderness conditions. I'll make completely different decisions about gear for that event--and have to make them long-range, knowing that I'll have to live with the consequences of a poor choice.

So, while I'm clueless as to what I'm wearing for a dress for an event 2 weeks away, the goal and requirements of that event are such that I can pretty well place my hand in the trunk, and not make a poor choice. At the same time, I'm dilligently sewing on underpinnings that I won't be needing for a year--because several well made sets that fit will be integral to my ability to live in the same dress for a week under adverse conditions.

And for that event, the plunder I'll have will fit in a cloth sack looped over my belt.

Each of these events has a different goal, and that goal affects what I bring with me.

[Jim of the SRR]

I think a plastic tarp would work the best, as it keeps your ice-laden cooler from getting muddy.

Jim Butler

[Artyman]

Keep in mind that if the camp is near to a town that the soldiers just "sacked" there could be anything there, couchs, beds, maybe even a piano. Some officers cracked down on such items, but they did sometimes make it to the camp, only to be left there when the tents were folded up and the encampment carted off. Certainly a rug or two would have made it there.

Harry

[bob 125th nysvi]

Keep in mind that if the camp is near to a town that the soldiers just "sacked" there could be anything there, couchs, beds, maybe even a piano. Some officers cracked down on such items, but they did sometimes make it to the camp, only to be left there when the tents were folded up and the encampment carted off. Certainly a rug or two would have made it there.

Harry

but very few towns in America could support the excess desires of an 80,000 man army. So while there was undoubtedly some looting it is WAY over represented as an excuse to have things you couldn't carry on your back.

So the first brigade in town maybe got some good stuff. The last guys into town were going to be luck to find a decent place to sleep and enough firewood.

[Artyman]

Correct! And some officers when discovering the looting would even force the men to return the stuff, at least to some small effect. I think the point remains though that though there might be very few instances, the thread question was also whether a "Wool Rug" would be period correct as a floor, and it probably is, provided the pattern isn't a Van Gogh design!

There are many period diarys telling about how the Yankees would completely strip the homes they would come across, even burn the building, and the occupants would find their stuff scattered all over the immediate contryside after the army left.

Harry

[Bill_Cross]

Keep in mind that if the camp is near to a town that the soldiers just "sacked" there could be anything there, couchs, beds, maybe even a piano. Some officers cracked down on such items, but they did sometimes make it to the camp, only to be left there when the tents were folded up and the encampment carted off. Certainly a rug or two would have made it there.
Harry, this reminds me of the campaigner events a few years back that would "request" participants to buy some oddball item of clothing or accoutrement that was specific to the unit being portrayed. This feller is looking for a way to make his tent more livable. If he's not interested in authenticity, then ANYTHING will work. A rug is no more outlandish or accurate than black plastic sheeting, but it's dependent on some long explanation ("we're near a town, I robbed this from a civilian, my captain will make me take it back if he finds it"). Like with jokes, if you need that many words to explain it, then you might want to reconsider altogether.

OTOH, if he wants a solution that's light and authentic, a gum blanket or ground cloth he can wrap himself up in is the ticket. You can even put your long arm inside it with you and prevent overnight rusting.