Civilian Knapsack for a Confederate Impression?

[KYGray]

Can anyone out there provide any resources on the confederate use of civilian knapsacks/backpacks? Preferably untarred simple, single flap packs? Would the use of something like this be considered non-period correct? I know Dixie Gun Works made one years ago, but are they something that could/should be used?

Thanks,
KYGray

[LibertyHallVols]

Have you (or anyone) ever seen an original civilian knapsack?

I hear references to them around the interwebs, but have never seen such a beast. Did civilians use knapsacks, rather than items like a market wallet or a valise?

[Ross L. Lamoreaux]

Nope, never seen one original, and very, very few references to them in contemporary literature or accounts, outside of Marcy's book on traveling West prior to the war. All we can do is speculate based on period practices. I tend to believe, and this is only opinion and speculation, that there were several styles of civilian knapsacks available for purchase or were made/procurred by citizens, as non-military camping was becoming popular for the middle and upper classes. How expensive these were is anyone's guess, and even if they were made in significant enough numbers to be counted in research. There is much more extensive research on travel valises, carpet bags, and bedrolls.

[KYGray]

Thanks for the information.

What about Militia knapsacks issued early in the war? And/or old surplus military items from the Mex. War or even 1812? Looking for information on all canvas, unpainted knapsacks.

[Slickrick214]

Is there any reason your so against a painted knapsack? There are a number of well documented confederate knapsacks being reproduced. The two most popular is probably the Kibbler type and Issac & Cambell type. Depending on your impression you can't really go wrong with either one

[packrat]

Confederate civilian knapsacks........A while back N.J. Sekela I believe did a study on this subject, I think he posted a picture of a carpet bag pack that resembled a leather bottomed book-bag affair. If it was a Civilian piece ...... I remember that it looked well made and not just thrown togeather. As far as a civilian untreated canvas single flap pack.... why? It wouldn't last long or protect the contents from the elements......There were a few canvas packs that I remember in the EOG Federal volume that were not treated and there are a few in Don Troiani"s collection that can be viewed on his "Image Bank" site. But none I believe are of States Rights origin. But its a subject that would take some deep research. Just my two cents worth of knowledge going out here... YHS Paul Lopes