Nice hat & interesting knapsack

[Quickstep]

I ran across this photo recently but lost the reference for it--does anyone recognize it? I believe he's a Western theater cavalry scout...

[Ross L. Lamoreaux]

That "knapsack" is nothing more than a shelter half or other canvas/drilling piece that has everything rolled up in, tied up, and then a belt or strap run through it. This was a common method of carrying things by mountain men, travelers, and outdoorsmen for decades. I'd like to know more of the provenance of that image, because it looks like post-war/Indian Wars period to me. Hard to tell for sure, but that may be a fatigue blouse tucked into his trousers or just a big blue flannel issue shirt.

[Rob Weaver]

I'm with Ross on the pack - sometimes called a "tumpline" or "trumpline." Hard to say what the hat is at this resolution, but I'll venture a guess that it's a fur hat, either homemade or civilian in origin.

[Spinster]

Definitely has the "Indian Wars" look, especially with the tumpline carry method.

That's some nice ingrain on the floor though.

[Quickstep]

Definitely has the "Indian Wars" look, especially with the tumpline carry method.

That's some nice ingrain on the floor though.

Thanks for the insights, everyone. I managed to track down the website where I saw the photo--according to the article, he is a Civil War solider. It's possible of course that he is from a later period and the author is mistaken, but he is identified as:

Pvt. Joseph McCloud
Minnesota 1st Regiment, Co. M
Mounted Rangers

http://www.thehistorychannelclub.com...ents-of-change

You can click on his photo to enlarge the image for a better look at his hat and "knapsack" (I was using the term facetiously, btw).

Here are two more Western theatre soldiers, the one on the left has an interesting hair style. Maybe I'll start combing my hair like that at events

http://nortvoods.net/66illinois.html

The photo on the right is post war--apparently he grew a gut and could no longer button his coat.

[Spinster]

Pvt McCloud liked a good hat. This 1870 image tells us he survived the war, facial hair intact.

http://collections.mnhs.org/visualre...=186795&Page=1


And here is the actual holder of the first image posted-- the Minnesota Historical Society

http://collections.mnhs.org/visualre...=186799&Page=1


The original image does hold an 1862-63 date in the records. And the MHS is pretty reliable. The "Indian Wars" flavor of this clothing may possibly be explained in part by the fact that Minnesota was in a true frontier at this point--and troops were recalled to aid in the 1862 Sioux Uprising.

I'm not well versed enough in seaching military records to know if McCloud's unit was one such unit. The only other holding the MHS has from him seems to be an 1859 letter that is not on line. I also found a storefront image belonging to a J. McCloud in the 1850's, but surmise it to belong to an older man.

Here's one rather dry account of some causes of the Sioux uprising
http://collections.mnhs.org/MNHistor...03p107-110.pdf
At the time, the horrific occurances shocked the nation, even in the midst of the Civil War.

[Rob Weaver]

I'm not really up on frontier units, but you do tend to see the unusual things out there that we discourage in reenacting: fur hats, lots of brass on a hat, big knives in Inidan sheaths, etc. Remember everything has a time and a place, and be careful if you're using a frontier photo or written description as your justification for something in another theater altogether.

[Quickstep]

Awesome, Spinster--thanks for the extra info.! Pvt. McCloud is turning out to be quite an interesting character!

And the material on the Sioux uprising in 1862 is fascinating--with the Eastern half of the continent embroiled in war, it's easy to overlook what was happening elsewhere. I recall reading that many Confederate prisoners of war signed on with the Union army to escape the horrible conditions in the POW camps under the condition that they be sent out West to fight the Indians.

[lincolnsguard]

I'd say the hand gun he has shoved in his belt in a metallic cartridge revolver, definatly post CW. You can see the loading gate by the hammer.

[ILYankee5]

Really neat image...although I am almost willing to bet a shiney penny that someone is setting at their computer looking at this going....wow what a sweet outfit...here is some documentation for all that extra stuff OR now I can wear this at an event! Just funnin' on this rainey day.