campaign knapsack

[HighPrvt]

Both, but more often I use a knapsack. more comfortable, not to mention useful, and under-represented.

[Doug Cooper]

i was just curious for those who go on campaign or anybody. wich do you use for a weekend a knapsack or blanket roll? and why?

Comrade the best advice to this time honored question is to do what makes you feel comfortable, with an eye toward what the original soldiers in the unit being portrayed may have done.

There is no substitue to walking several miles in both - that is the only way you will tell which you prefer. I prefer a knapsack - to me it is less confining, cooler and you can carry everything comfortably for many miles, and not have to unroll the blanket to get to something. I often take blanket and ground sheet and carry it in a short roll with a sling of it's own plus a knapsack when doing CS. I also believe the soldiers and the QM system when they decried the shortage of knapsacks. Bedrolls are fine for when no knapsack was available. Knapsacks were issue items.

[bill watson]

Prefer knapsack, but sometimes the unit impression calls for a blanket roll. Unbelievable the number of times events have been looking at doing a regiment right after it dropped packs and never got them back.
The knapsack is a real pain, literally, for anyone who has done modern backpacking with a frame and waist harness. If there's any weight at all in the knapsack, I get a small fiery knot of anguish between my shoulder blades about a mile into the hike. And then it goes away and I'm OK.

[ThumbStall]

The Unon soldier in the center of this period photo doesn't seem to care for either horse collar or knapsack... or shoes for that matter: http://www.mymodelrailroad.net/images/cwp011.JPG

[cosgood]

The photo you posted is supposedly some members of the 86th NY after 2nd Bull Run. A couple things of note: The 86th NY was ordered to drop knapsacks prior to the battle, some didnt care if they saw them again. They also had removed their shoes for crossing the stream (hence why some are without booties). Also another interesting note, some tucked their "blouses" into their trousers as they had no shirts. All references come from period diaries and letter accounts from soldiers in the 86th NY. Also note the dark blue trousers on the one, that was supposedly a NYS issue item.

[Tom Scoufalos]

Always looked to me that the fellow sitting down with the bloused trousers has a rubber blanket alone, maybe with a few items in it, worn over his shoulder, sans woolen or shelter-half based on how thin the roll is when it passes over his shoulder. Just an observation.

-Tom

[tenfed1861]

I perfer a knapsack.When packed properly,it's rather comfortable.Bedrolls are good in winter to help keep you warm in the day.But I perfer knapsacks as it keeps everything in its place,it's much cooler,and it just looks better in my opinion.
Cullen

[AZReenactor]

The far West was a different situation than that back East it seems. The unit I portray were ordered to carry knapsacks during drill and on the march from California. It appears that they generally carried them throughout the war when on the march. Initially the order to carry knapsacks met some resistance but a couple of court martials seems to have resolved the issue. Occaisionally, when persuing hostiles, they were ordered out in light marching order and carried only blanket rolls.

The "choice" for us comes down to the scenario being depicted and the orders of the officer or NCO in charge.

[bob 125th nysvi]

because that what our unit impression calls for.

But why would it make a difference if it is a campaign event or not?

Bob Sandusky
Co C 125th NYSVI
Esperance, NY

[jurgitemvaletem]

My preferance has always been my single bag knapsack for the reason that they are hard to overpack to a point of uncomfortableness and I like the way it rides as opposed to my double bag.

Thanks,
Jurgitem Valetem