The ‘Bedroll’ or ‘Blanket-Roll’ from the Frontier to the Civil War

[Tsalagidave]

The 'Bedroll' or 'Blanket-Roll' from the Frontier to the Civil War

Knowing the old ways of the blanket-pack is important for bushcrafters and historians alike. Here is more about the lightweight knapsack alternative that Emigrants, Soldiers, and Frontier Travelers of America's early history often preferred.

Bedroll 101 - Here's something to share with the new-members. This is an essential part of camping and outdoor survival that not enough people know of. I discuss what point-blankets are, how to pack a bedroll on the frontier and during the Civil War based on the accounts of those who were there.
https://www.frontieramericanillustratednews.com/post/the-bedroll-or-blanket-roll-from-the-frontier-to-the-civil-war

[River City John]

Good read, Dave.

It's amazing how a Civil War column early in the war gets "shaken out" on a long march.

On the movement down to First Bull Run in 1861, the roadside was noted as littered with all manner of useless impedimenta once thought useful to carry before beginning the  hot day's march.
In the retreat back to Washington, panic fine-tuned the deselection.

[1961MJS]

Hi Guys

If you read the book "A Walk in the Woods", a story written by a Journalist who tries to walk the Appalachian Trail with a fat druggie friend from high school.  One of the funnier chapters is the beginning of the trail where everyone dumps the stuff that is too heavy to carry like 8 pound canned hams, Compound Bows (they've seen Deliverance) etc.

Same concept different century.

Later

[Sir Charles deMouton-Black]

Good article, and much wisdom in not packing "the kitchen sink"!

Two other groups who may contribute to this lesson;

The Ozzie outback "swagman" The swag was the blanket roll, and the tuckerbag was the food carrier. The swag was on the back and tuckerbag hung in the front, they were joined near the shoulder strap so they balanced each other. So off to Waltz Matilda.

Remarkably similar is the North American Hobo, but he called the blanket roll the "bindle". An aka to "hobo" was "Bindle-stiff". I'm not sure what they called the haversack.

[Tsalagidave]

Thanks Sir Charles, I was thinking about some other packing methods but the article was already going into overtime. Fortunately, that only means I have another reason to write more on the subject. My next project is a 3-part on Western Routes & Packing Wagons, Life in a Wagon Train, and Driving Stock.

-Dave

[G Bulldog Grainisland III]

Good read and interesting article.
Thank you for sharing!

-Bulldog

[Tsalagidave]

Thanks Bulldog.

-Dave

[Dave T]

Well done Dave. You should write a book. Wait a minute, you are writing a book! (smiley face goes here)

Dave

[Tsalagidave]

Well done Dave. You should write a book. Wait a minute, you are writing a book! (smiley face goes here)

Dave

Thanks pard. That one is something I am really looking forward to completing.

-Dave