| The Model 1855 Rifleman's Knapsack |
| (The legendary softpack) |
| Bill suggested that I write a bit of an add-on to his article recalling some of my experiences with the standard soft pack knapsack used so common in the War Between the States.� |
| First and foremost, my choice to use the softpack was an easy one for me.� At the time there was no one making a truly accurate reproduction of the sharpshooter's Prussian knapsack, (Packer was out of business and Healy came close, but no cigar) so I decided that a more common pack was the way to go.� Consulting with reenactors from around the country I had a number of recommendations made to me about a plethora of suppliers, but the one person they all agreed upon was Nick Sekela of Historic Clothiers.� |
| Nick's pack was true to the original, they said, and the only draw back was the lengthy wait to get one.� I swallowed my apprehensions and on December 31st, 1998 ordered my pack.� The waiting game began. |
| Finally receiving the pack in September of 1999 (4 months after Nick had told me I'd receive it) I marveled at the workmanship.� Now I'm definitely not an expert, but it was truly different from anything I'd seen on sutler row.� Packing it up with everything I used to carry in an ammo box, I made my way to the Wolcott event. |
| I'm sure many of you may remember the drill on Sunday morning when I wore this pack.� Stuffed full with all the impedimenta of someone who up to that point hadn't carried his stuff more than a few feet, the knapsack nearly toppled me over backwards, stuck out too far, and obviously wasn't doing it's job.� Well there was my first mistake; I packed too much junk in there. |
| ��������������� By contrast, for the Jackson event this year I packed the knapsack with all that I would need for the event, (an extra shirt, extra pair of socks, writing kit (since been discarded) cleaning kit, assorted toiletries, gum blanket, wool blanket, shelter halve, and sleeping cap) and the knapsack weighed in at an astounding 15.4 pounds!� Now THERE'S a weight that's a bit more manageable.� After sliding my light weight pan into the straps (adding only .8 pounds) I was off! |
| ��������������� The softpack is designed to carry everything a soldier on the campaign needs, (except for food, but that's the haversack's job.)� It consists of two compartments, one for personal effects, and the other for tent equipment.� |
| The compartment for personal effects closes with two leather straps, (usually white leather) that attach to a flap.� By layering your things inside here, with your shirt on the outside and everything fragile more to the inside, you can rest assured that your things will remain safe under most conditions. |
| The second compartment closes with two roller buckle and strap combinations, each attached to a triangle that, together, make a perfect square.� On the bottom, the side next to my back I always place my shelter half, and buckle the two horizontal pieces together.� On top of this I place my gum blanket, buckling the vertical pieces.� You may ask, why on earth do I go to all this trouble?� Well if I were marching along and the sky suddenly opened up, it would take nothing more than a quick reach to the side to slide out my gum blanket, and throw it over myself and my equipment. |
| Finally, in between the two halves I place my blanket, folded into 1/4ths, and then rolled up into large sections.� This blanket is what keeps your personal effects insulated, and also can be used to house smaller items.� The blanket is rolled in large sections to permit the knapsack to lie as flat against your back as possible, thus making room for the fellow behind you.� |
| This should be all a soldier needs for active campaigning.� But I know what you're wondering, "Dan, there's two straps on top!� Shouldn't I put my blanket up there?"� The answer to that question is a resounding "NO".� There is no documentation supporting the idea that soldiers EVER strapped their blanket to the top of a softpack. A hardpack, maybe, but not a softpack.� As Bill reported, the straps on top are known as "overcoat straps" and they're used for just that.� At the colder weather events I'll definitely strap my overcoat up there, after all that's what it's there for, but during the summer I will never be using those straps, (except maybe for a belt, he he...) |
| This article is not by any means inclusive as to what EXACTLY every soldier did.� It's a compilation of a dozen or so articles I've read over the years with advice to folks as to how to pack their knapsacks based upon original documentation.� This is simply how I personally do it, and I find it to work very well.� |
| ��������������� If any of you are interested in buying a high quality, accurate reproduction of a softpack knapsack, please feel free to contact me and I'll be able to point you in the right direction, (and it won't take 9 months to get it, either, sheesh.)� |
| I'm sure that Bill and others will forever sing the praises of the venerable "wookie pack", but I will forever be loyal to my simple little softpack.�� |
| Hoping that you all find the preceding of interest I remain, |
| Your Humble & Obedient Servant, |
| Dan Wambaugh |