Gum Blanket

[garretttcrooks]

I need a gum blanked to use as a tent floor... any reccomendations?

[skamikaze]

I'd say you are better off with a ground cloth for a "tent floor" and save the gum blanket (don't get a poncho) to go over you (if you sleep outside).

as far as getting a ground cloth, there are several good places to get them, I'd start here:

http://www.ejtmercantile.com/accoutrements.html

http://www.ss-sutler.com/products.html

http://www.njsekela.com/

[flattop32355]

While Eric's advice is not bad advice, I'll respectfully disagree with him.

Provided we're talking shelter tent, all it takes is one gum blanket to provide the floor. In the morning, if you'll be needing it in the field, just fold it up and put it in/on your knapsack/blanket roll or tucked over the back of your belt.

For a common tent, where you're probably using more than one of them to cover the space for multiple men, each man just grabs the one he needs and you're off.

Now, if you're talking family/mixed camp, that might be another issue all together.

[TobiasJones]

Forward: Yes I know this isn't historically accurate, however, this isn't the A-C.

For a better appearance in a family camp using an A-Frame Tent, you may want to go to your local home store and find a painters drop cloth the size you need (or make one) and paint it with an outdoor semi-gloss latex paint a couple of times. It will look much better than a blue/brown/camo tarp and provide you with the water-proofing/flooring you are looking for. It will also not make the same crunchy noise as you move/walk on it.

Evan O'Dell

[Silas]

Forward: Yes I know this isn't historically accurate, however, this isn't the A-C.

Why does it matter whether this is the A/C or not? If authenticity doesn't seem to matter, then one might as well use a brown plastic tarp for flooring and close the flaps so "the paying public" doesn't see. During "nonpublic" hours, the flaps can be opened and plastic exposed because anything goes, right?

[Bill_Cross]

The most economical way to sleep is to put one "ground cloth" (painted canvas or gum blanket) on the ground, then roll up in it. You can then drape a second one or your shelter half over you for a "dew" cloth. Since Southrons did not generally have much tentage on the march, they made do without them. You can generally roll one of the cloths/gummies around your woolen blanket and drape the second one over your belt. Comes in mighty handy if you're caught in a cloud burst (be sure to have a few J-clips to turn a gum blanket into a quickie poncho. Don't buy a poncho. They aren't good for a $%#@ing thing and can't be used to make a shebang.

And frankly, tents don't do much more than keep the rain off. They're cold in the cold, damp around 4 AM onward, and do very little except keep the wind off you. You don't really need a ground cloth inside one unless you plan on eating "doggie" style without using your hands.

It's like the discussion about "authentic" gaiters. If you have ever worn a pair, you find they're a pain to put on and worse to take off. No one in their right mind would wear them unless you were planning on marching through thorns....

[TobiasJones]

Why does it matter whether this is the A/C or not? If authenticity doesn't seem to matter, then one might as well use a brown plastic tarp for flooring and close the flaps so "the paying public" doesn't see. During "nonpublic" hours, the flaps can be opened and plastic exposed because anything goes, right?


Well, I am not one to tell others what to do (especially if they are happy and not bothering me). Not my job, nor my hobby. I merely lend help where I see the opportunity. In this case, I gave the help I could, based on my interpretation of the question.

Therefore,

To each, his own...


Evan O'Dell

[Bill_Cross]

Why does it matter whether this is the A/C or not? If authenticity doesn't seem to matter, then one might as well use a brown plastic tarp for flooring and close the flaps so "the paying public" doesn't see. During "nonpublic" hours, the flaps can be opened and plastic exposed because anything goes, right?
Silas, I think there is a perception that the A/C Forum is all about those who want more authenticity, and this forum is mostly for farbs and mainstreamers.

I ask you, in a joking aside, what that says about you and me, since we're here. ;)

The truth is, I believe, more complicated. Many here hang out over there, or at least visit and pay attention. And while the A/C Forum takes authenticity very seriously (don't pipe up unless you can back up your statements), we have some awfully smart, well-read and knowledgable follk hanging out here, too. I won't name any names, lest I forget someone and hurt their feelings.

I think we should always assume that anyone posting a question here is looking for an authentic solution to his or her problem, but that each of us has a "mental picture" (to borrow a phrase from among the the most-knowledgable of us) about what constitutes authenticity. If someone is asking about a ground cloth, I think it's perfectly sensible to give him or her the most-authentic solution(s) available. If that poster then decides a black plastic trash bag does the job, it's not for me to say "boo."

This discussion comes up every time someone asks "What do you think about (fill in the name of a sutler)?" Those who've bought that craftsperson's work are likely to praise him or her. Those who think Sutler (fill in the blank) is more authentic may throw brickbats or question the knowledge of those from the other camp. And still others will say "I only want to spend $10 for (fill in the blank), so the Wikiwiki Sutlery is just fine, thank you very much!" What does it all accomplish? Hard to say. The "farby" sutlers seem to stay in business, while authentic ones come and go. A sad commentary on our hobby perhaps.

The road to authenticity has many paths and is longer for some than others. The most important task we have is offering information to those who seek it. What they do with it is up to them.

[61' reb]

Originally Posted by Silas
Why does it matter whether this is the A/C or not? If authenticity doesn't seem to matter, then one might as well use a brown plastic tarp for flooring and close the flaps so "the paying public" doesn't see. During "nonpublic" hours, the flaps can be opened and plastic exposed because anything goes, right?


I think that authenticity has a big role in the community of civil war. I mean if you are going to do something, do it right. Its kinda like if you want to be a nascar driver, get an actual race car, not a chevette.

However I think that Mr. ODell was responding in the same manner that I would respond to most of this. This is the Civil War reenactor forum where mainstreamers, beginners, progressives, and hardcores post, read, and ask questions. So when perhaps a mainstreamer might ask a question about a subject because it might be their first or second year of reenacting and they want some positive feedback about what another reenactor might do, here comes johnny hardcore and says, "well thats not authentic, heres the way we do it". I can see why Mr. Odell stated that this is not the AC. Somebody just asked a simple question about where to get something, and then Johnny Hardcore harped his guts out about it not being authentic.

I think that an authentic person could lend some kinder advice instead of cutting someone down for not having this or that as authentic as possible. When someone says, can I get an authentic groundcloth from such and such sutlery? Keep in mind they may be a beginner reenactor so for all of the hardcore veterans, dont jump the gun and say, well their not authentic, those materials aren't correct.... Be kind and offer advice that will hopefully make the beginner, or mainstreamer say, humm these hardcore guys know their stuff, and they're nice guys too, maybe i need to get more hardcore too.
But Like Mr. Odell, i would say that the way that most of these questions get answered, where hardcores belittle a reenactor for even asking about something that isnt accurate, it turns most guys against any hardcore guys at all.

Just my few cents worth, When a authentic guy helps you you grow to want to be like them, when the authentic guy belittles you for anything you say that isn't accurate, you grow to hate them.

[Blair]

Thank you Bill.
"The most important task we have is offering information to those who seek it. What they do with it is up to them."
Truer words were never spoken more simplistically.

[Jim of the SRR]

I need a gum blanked to use as a tent floor... any reccomendations?

What campaign are you recreating? Was it during a garrison or on-the march? Is it a time when the troops had tents? If so, what type of tents did they have?

Jim Butler

[PVT.THIB]

Jim,
If he is with the 114th NY in Louisiana it would be the Teche Campaign in the Fall of 1863 and the Red River Campaign of Mid-1864. A good place for research on the subject of the Teche campaign is the book Yankee Autumn in Acadia by Edmond Davis.
Thanks,