Volunteers went off to
fight at the beginning of the war carrying an awful lot of stuff-both
army-issued equipment and personal items that he wished to have with him.
In the early days of the
war, a soldier carried ten pounds of gun: eighty rounds per man of ball
cartridge, one pound of powder and five pounds of lead. Heavy equipment
included; knapsack, haversack, three-pint canteen, all full with 3 days
rations, rubber blanket, woolen blanket, shelter tent, full winter clothing,
including hats,
and these personal
effects tin cup, tin plate, knife, fork, spoon, stationery, photographs,
journal, Bible, tobacco, pipes,
shaving
tools,
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sewing
kit (also called the housewife by soldiers), toothbrush, soap and whatever
other gear did not hang from hooks on their belts. Soldiers had to carry their
own gear and weapons and they soon discarded all but the essentials. Many
soldiers even quit carrying extra clothes, just wearing what they had on.
The
haversack,
a foot-square canvas bag with a waterproof lining, a buckled flap, and a strap
that was slung over the right shoulder, became the soldiers' carryall. It was
designed to hold three days' rations, but the men would usually eat them all
on
the first day rather than carry the weight. This left the haversack free to
carry a few personal items and most important, apples, blackberries,
and other forage.
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