Gear Review: Camp Chair

When looking around reenactments camp furniture is abundant both in military and civilian areas.   Often times much of what is used at events is not correct to the period.  This is an area where even in some of the best fixed camp impressions compromises are made.  Part of the reason for this is our modern bodies want to sit in a comfortable chair and accurate camp chair reproductions are not readily available.  Some resort to restoring and reupholstering  original frames. I recently acquires a frame to do this myself however, using originals may not always be the best solution but thats a debate for another post.  I have been disappointed in everything I have seen and purchased.  Either the chairs are so far from correct its sad, they sit to low, fabric is wrong, construction is wrong or hardware looks modern. Until recently.  Searching one night I found camp chairs on Etsy that I fell for and starred at many times over a couple of months.  I finally took the chance and placed an order for two of PaWoods chairs.  Why did I fall in love with these chairs?  Well lets take a look at the details.

Both chairs are made of one inch oak stock assembled using mortise and tenon joints.  They are both finished with a top coat of hand rubbed tung oil over a rosewood oil stain.  Most importantly they are both copied from original camp chairs.

The above folding chair is a beauty with lots of great details.  Taken from PaWoods listing in the description this chairs "design and dimensions were taken directly from an original antique manufactured by the E. W. Vaill company."  The hardware for the hinged joints are riveted and the back slats are shaped nicely by steam bending. What really sets this reproduction chair apart is the details such as the brass buttons across the top slat and finials.  I found an image of an original online and they are a vary close match.

The second chair style from PaWoods that I ordered is a folding arm chair.  This might be my favorite as this style is in a famous photo of Ulysses S. Grant during the war.

Just like the other chair this one features correct looking hardware for the assembly where needed.  To match the original chair the arms and back slats are steam bent which gives this chair perfect curves.

When I contacted PaWoods to place my order the communication and response time was outstanding.  Emails were quickly replied to and most importantly the chairs shipped fast.  Five days after I paid the chairs were on my doorstep packaged very well to ensure they showed up in great shape.  They sat in my living room for two days while I admired them.  The first event for them was last weekend at the log cabin that another blog post is about.  They looked and functioned with distinction in the cabin.  I found the armless version to be quite comfortable with the fabric back.  With Grant being one of my hero's the "Grant" arm chair remains my favorite. I highly recommend either of these chairs and likely any camp chair PaWoods is selling if they hold to this level of craftsmanship which is worth the investment.

Head in the Woods

This past weekend was a special one in the context of my living history career.  With several close friends we spent about 72 hours living in a log cabin built in the 1860's at the Wood County Museum in Ohio.  Opportunities do not come up like this and when we found out we had permission the excitement was hard to contain over the several months of waiting for the time to come.  During this time the planning and gear purchasing began!
The cabin and land it was on was owned by the same family for many generations.  The home was added to and updated many times over those numerous decades.  The property was sold and the house was to be torn down.  As this was in process under the siding and plaster very old logs where found.  The family didn't even know part of their house was a 150 year old cabin.  The structure was saved and moved to the Museum.  The cabin was originally two stories with a stairway and a stove instead of a fireplace.  During the restoration the county museum decided to make it a loft instead.  A fireplace was put in as a doorway was cut where the stove sat at one time which was used to access one of the later additions.

Once the cabin restoration was complete two 1850's bed frames and a loom along with fireplace implements were placed inside.  The fireplace tools were there to use but the bed frames could not be slept on and the loom could not be used.  A large table and four chairs are in process but were not in by the time we arrived. Those were the only disappointments.

Skipping past the gear gathering and planning we can get to Friday mid-afternoon which by that time we were set up.  The evening was spent quietly with a simple ham and boiled potato dinner cooked in the hearth with some chocolate tart which was baked and brought along.  All to soon the fire was stoked up and I placing my sleeping cap on to start my first night of slumber in the cabin.
The morning dawned quickly with the sun shining into the windows and the birds singing.  The next two days are now sort of blended together in my mind.  All four of us were kept fairly busy with various chores.  Meals needed to be prepared, water was brought in from a well in buckets, water was heated for washing and dishes were cleaned.  This process took place three times a day.
Other chores that took place included roasting green coffee beans, putting up a clothesline for hanging washed towels, stocking firewood and creating a "summer kitchen".  Knowing the temps would get rather warm Sunday we dug two fire pits outside with one having a sapling tripod to keep a fire out of the cabin.

So what did we eat?  A variety of items but I will touch on the highlights.  I think my favorite meal was handmade egg noodles the ladies made with shredded smoked chicken.  There was also a rice pudding made from a period cookbook with a peach sauce.  The last breakfast of bacon, eggs and pancakes made from a period patent self rising flour with some of the left over peach sauce was a good end to the meals.
The 72 hours ended with two school groups coming through Monday about 1 in the afternoon.  The children came in as we were playing The Checkered Game of Life and we told them some of what they were seeing and answered their questions.

During this experience I had the realization of just how difficult life was comparatively with today.  I have spent most of my time reading about the soldier side and war years.  I thought I understood what general life was like.  To live it brought it to another level of understanding.  Being tired at the end of the day and having to go get water so we can wash up after a warm day was an experience.  Not having much concept of time was an experience.  Waking up to stoke the fire to cook and gather water was an experience.  This time spent was such a small sliver of the large living life of the mid 19th century but it opened my eyes wide.  I have a greater appreciation for the luxuries we have such as running water including hot water!  However, just a full day back in modern life I yearn for the chance to do it again.

The 24th would have to earn their respect

This post is about the 24^th Michigan who was with the Iron Brigade.  They have a fascinating history and story.  This was written by Andy Roscoe and I had to share.  This is an effort to start consolidating information for an upcoming website. The website will be for a progressive adjunct battalion being formed for the 150^th BGA Gettysburg event next year.  The first impression of the 4 day event will be the 24^th Michigan.  Will Eichler is commanding, I am his Adjutant and Andy is raising a company.  More info will be out on that soon.  So, let’s get back to the history instead of the plug.  I added a few notes in italics with additional tidbits of interesting information.

24th Michigan History - Andrew Roscoe
                A war rally was held in the City of Detroit on July 15th, 1862 to raise enthusiasm and volunteers for these new regiments. However, southern sympathizers spread word that the purpose of the rally was to purpose a draft, conscripting men into service against their will. Consequently, a mob formed and broke up the rally, forcing the Wayne County Sherriff, Mark Flannigan, to protect the dignitaries. The City of Detroit was now under a cloud of shame and disgrace, so the city fathers decided to solve this by imploring the governor to allow the raising of an extra regiment above and beyond the state's quota to avenge the honor of the city. After much deliberation, Governor Austin Blair relented and called for another regiment of infantry to be raised - the 24th Regiment of Michigan Volunteer Infantry.
            The ranks of the regiment filled quickly, the full 1,030 officers and men being recruited by July 26th. Henry A Morrow, Judge of the Recorder's Court in Detroit, was appointed Colonel. He had been born in Virginia and had later served as a page in the US Senate, where he was lured to Detroit by Senator Lewis Cass of Michigan following Morrow's service in the Mexican War. Colonel Morrow was to be the only Colonel of the regiment. His Lieutenant Colonel was Mark Flannigan, an Irish-born butcher and the Wayne County Sherriff. The Major was Henry Nall, an Englishman who had served up to then as a Captain in the 7th Michigan Volunteer Infantry. The unit received their first colors on August 26th in Detroit, a beautiful flag donated by F. Buhl & Co. (Note: This is the same company that secured a contract to produce the dark blue caps the 5^th, 6^th and 7^th Michigan regiments left the State with originally in the fall of 1861) and made by Tiffany & Co. of New York City (Note: This is the same company as it is today which opened in 1837. They sold fine flags, swords, Corps badges and other insignia during the war in addition to their normal offerings). The regiment departed for Washington City, The District of Columbia on August 29th, 1862. Of the over 1,000 in the regiment that day, less than 200 would still be in the ranks in June of 1865 to muster out.
            The regiment proceeded by sea to Cleveland, Ohio then by rail to Pittsburg, Harrisburg, Baltimore, and finally Washington, arriving on September1st, 1862. It was ordered into reserve to be trained, and consequently missed out on the battles of South Mountain (September 14th) and Antietam (September 17th) while it was in the Washington area. On September 29th, the 24th Michigan received orders to march to Antietam to reinforce The Army of the Potomac's First Corps. Upon their arrival, they were assigned to the Brigadier General John Gibbon's Fourth Brigade, First Division, recently bestowed with the name "Iron Brigade." They were a unique brigade in that they were the only all-western brigade in the eastern army, being then comprised of the 2nd, 6th, and 7th Wisconsin, and the 19th Indiana. To make them stand out, General Gibbon dressed them in the uniform of the regular US Army, with long frock coats, leggings, and the black dress hats called "Hardee" hats (Note: The leggings were not necessarily popular. One story has some of the men putting the gaiters on Gibbon’s horse in protest). They were incredibly well trained and had earned a reputation for dogged fighting in their first battles. Fighting alone and outnumbered three-to-one after being surprised in their first battle at Brawner's Farm, they fought "Stonewall" Jackson to a standstill before withdrawing in the dark. They forced their way alone through Turner's Gap on South Mountain, and led the First Corp's assault on the Dunker Church at Antietam, destroying a good part of Jackson's corps before being stopped by a wild counter attack by General John Bell Hood's division. They only withdrew from the fight after both sides had fought themselves to the end of their strength. In three weeks of campaigning, they had been reduced from 2,800 men to less than 800, and were badly in need of reinforcements. Yet, they were resentful of the 24th as a new, unproven unit, who did not fit in with the brigade in their standard-issue fatigue blouses and forage caps in place of the brigade's frock coats and Hardee hats. The 24th would have to earn their respect.
            They would first get their chance at Fredericksburg, Virginia on December 13th. While much of the rest of the army was making gallant, but fruitless assaults against the stone wall at the base of Marye's Heights, the Iron Brigade was several miles south, protecting the left flank of the army. An enemy battery began to shell their position, so the 24th was ordered forward to clear away the battery. A solid shot took off the head of private and tore the arm off another, the regiment's first battle casualties, causing the unit to stop and waver. Colonel Morrow, seeing this, ordered the regiment to halt, and put them through the manual of arms, the basic rifle drill that was the first thing the men had been taught in the army, all the while taking fire from all sides while in the middle of an open field for the entire battlefield to see. The routine of the drill settled the men, and they cleared away the rebel battery, loosing, among others, along the way, John Litogot of Dearborn, who was to have a nephew born the next year, who was to change the industrial world - Henry Ford (Note: You can see a photo of John in his uniform  at Greenfield Village. It is sitting on a table in the house which was the birthplace of Henry Ford). The 24th gained the respect of the Iron Brigade at Fredericksburg for their bravery and coolness under fire, and earned their full inclusion in the brigade. This was a reputation that was added to throughout the following winter, with the 24th earning the praise of the new commander of the army, Joseph Hooker, as the finest regiment in the army, with him saying the regiment was "as smooth as silk."
            At the opening of the Chancellorsville Campaign, as part of a feint against General Lee in front of Fredericksburg, the 24th, along with the 6th Wisconsin, lead an amphibious assault at Fitzhugh's crossing on 28 April, 1863. The affair was poorly planned and handled by the engineers who were to oversee the bridge to be built there. Consequently, Brigadier General James Wadsworth, the Division Commander, personally lead the men across, standing in the first pontoon. The two western regiments, in a quick rush, pushed the rebels back and secured a bridgehead. Though they did soon march to join the rest of the army on the main battlefield, the Iron Brigade was not engaged, missing the shockingly deadly fighting on May 3rd. Rather, the men were the rear guard for the army, covering the crossing in the wake of the bloody battle.
            The next battle of the 24th Michigan was to be its most famous. In June, they marched north, along with the rest of the Army of the Potomac - and finally with their long ago earned black hats - into Pennsylvania. On the morning of 1 July, 1863, the men awoke as normal, but soon heard the distant thunder of the guns as Brigadier General John Buford's cavalry division skirmished with A.P. Hill's rebel west of Gettysburg. While Chaplain William Way read a service for the men, ammunition was distributed to the men. They set out the final miles to the battlefield, turning at the Codori family farm to march cross-lots at the double quick into the battle. The initial battle was all in the Iron Brigade's favor, and the 24th took many prisoners from Archer's Tennessee brigade.
            Following this sharp fight, there was a lull in the battle for several hours, during which time, the brigade was realigned on the top of McPherson's Ridge in the open woodlot south of the farm. Here is where the 24th would make its mark. As the afternoon wore on, it was increasingly clear that the Federals were terribly outnumbered but the rebels, and that the best that could be hoped for was to buy time enough for reinforcements to reach the field. The men were ordered to hold the woods at all hazards. Soon, the rebels of Pettigrew's North Carolina brigade were moving forward, and the 24th, all 496 men, engaged into a very personal battle with the 26th North Carolina, numbering somewhere around 900 men. The rebels tried time and again to cross Willoughby's Run at the base of the ridge, but were thrown back with heavy casualties, until the left end of the Federal line crumbled, and the Iron Brigade was ordered back (Note: At times the 26^th North Carolina closed within 20 yards of the 24^th Michigan and both sides stood firing at each other at that very close distance. The men were bent over like standing in a stiff wind.  The fighting was so hot the men started to slowly fell back one step backward at a time firing as they went.)
            Colonel Morrow, by now the last surviving senior officer, lead the 150-200 remaining men in a withdrawal that made ten separate stands on its retreat back to the next ridge. It was in this period, that the colonel was wounded while carrying the colors. The entire color guard being killed or wounded, the colonel picked up the national banner, but was quickly relieved by a private who declared, "That the colonel of the 24th shall not carry this flag as long as I live." The private was promptly struck in the head by enemy fire, killing him instantly, leaving the colors again in the colonel's hands. He too was struck in the head, receiving a bad scalp wound. The men retired to a prepared barricade in the grove west of the Lutheran Theological Seminary on Seminary Ridge, where, with the rest of the brigade, they fought off several successive attacks from fresh troops of Scale's and Perrin's Brigades of Pender's division. The Iron Brigade was the last Federal infantry unit to retire off Seminary Ridge in the wake of the collapse of the 11th Corps to the right, falling back to first Cemetery and then later Culp's Hill. Captain Edwards, one of the junior captains and now in command of the regiment, found the colors in the arms of an unknown private, his name lost to history, lying against the barricade, dead, with them hugged in his arms. Only 26 men were at that time left with the colors, which were found in the barricade in the arms of another unknown private's arms. By nightfall, the regiment's loss was clear, 97 men remained, for a loss of 399 men in the day's fighting: 80% casualties, the greatest loss of any infantry regiment in a single day's battle in the history of the United States Army.
            The regiment did not fight again until the Overland Campaign in 1864, though they did participate in the Mine Run campaign during the fall of 1863. They crossed the Rapidan River on 4 May, 1864, approximately 350 men strong, their numbers made up from recovered sick and wounded, as well as some new recruits. After the Battle of the Wilderness, where Colonel Morrow was again struck down, the men fought at Spotsylvania, Jericho Mill, Cold Harbor, and Petersburg, settling down into the siege that defined the last year of the war in Virginia. Finally, in February 1865, shortly after the sharp and costly fighting at Hatcher's Run, they were relieved of duty, and sent to Camp Butler, Springfield, Illinois, to recruit up to strength and guard and supervise a camp for draftees. The 24th was at full strength by April of 1865, but did not participate in any of the final fighting that spring. Their last duty of the war was to provide the funeral detail and honor guard at the funeral of the slain President, Abraham Lincoln. Following that, they took train for Detroit, arriving there in June. At 5pm, 28 June, 1865, the regiment's last dress parade was held and the regiment was mustered out of Federal service.

Manistee River Trail Civil War Style

Back during the winter a friend and I decided that we would like to do some backpack style hiking in northern Michigan.  The challenge was we didn’t want to spend a lot of money on the gear in order to do it.  Then it dawned on us!  We already have everything we need in equipment and skills, just 150 years out of date.  So, the planning was started to complete the Manistee River Trail Loop Civil War style.
 

The Manistee River Trail Loop is a 21 mile hiking loop composed of part of the North Country Trail and the Manistee River Trail with the Manistee River running down the center.  The area rises and falls in elevation several hundred feet.  The hills, valleys and the vistas of the river felt like we were much farther from home. 

On Friday three of us set out on the trail at about 5:30pm.  We wore our Federal uniform, haversack, canteen and knapsack.  We had a water filter pump in a civilian haversack which I carried along.  We knew the first day would be the toughest.  We had to complete 7 miles to get to the next water source and needed to get it done before dark.  To add to it this stretch of the trail was the toughest for terrain.  The first hill we came to was a very steep incline that went on for several hundred feet.  For the full seven miles the trail would rise and fall in and out of the heavily forested valleys.  We did get to the creek just before it was completely dark with enough time to get some firewood and water collected.  That first drink of water from the fast running cold stream was outstanding and refreshing.  The evening passed quickly as we talked about our first stretch of the hike while frying up some bacon and eating hardtack.  When it was time for bed we hung our haversacks from a tree limb about 30 yards away as a precaution for bears.  The night passed slowly as the temps dropped and the fire was a challenge to stay going.  Scarce deadfall and damp wood was the contributor. 

Come morning we took our time with our bacon, hardtack and coffee breakfast not leaving our camp until 9:40am.  At that time we started the next leg of our journey.  This took us over the Manistee River and now the trail stayed closer to the banks of the river or overlooking it from several hundred feet up.  The views were incredible!  Around noon we stopped for dinner and made a coffee fire.  Again we fried up bacon but started to get creative.  This included adding apple slices and brown sugar to the pan after the bacon was done for a dessert of sorts.  By 3:30pm we hit our next camp area at Cedar Creek which made about 10 miles for that day.  The only area to make a camp in this deep valley was on a small peninsula on a curve in the creek.  We cleared a sleeping area and collected firewood.  Once that was done we dipped our tired feet in the cold creek and began to just relax.  Supper was started around 5pm which was a soup consisting of salt pork, desiccated vegetables and chunks of hardtack (like dumplings) in a boiler just big enough for a three person meal.  Our last apple each made up dessert.  The rest of the evening was passed by talking, laughing, writing, readings of The Raven and a little Shakespeare.  Once it was dark we laid down in our she-bang laughing and telling jokes.  I think by 10pm all was quiet.  The fire quickly died down and it was as black and dark as possible in the valley as we drifted off to the sound of the creek running past. 

Unfortunately, sometime after 3am our slumber was broken by distant rumbling of thunder and lightening.  We secured camp as best we could and laid back down.  The thought of a down pour was concerning.  Our camp was scenic but not a good place to be in a heavy storm, at the bottom of a valley next to a creek and obviously in a low spot. About an hour later the thunder and lightning seemed to all around us.  We deiced we would rather get wet with our gear on than laying on the ground so we packed up.  The call was made to start hiking out since getting wet on the move seemed more favorable then getting rained on just sitting.  At 4:30am we started our hike out with a small flashlight.  The storm poured the rain down and the thunder boomed.  We slowly picked our way along the trail until daylight started to appear on the horizon.  We had just 4 or so miles to go to the vehicle but it seemed longer.  The time it took us is most likely why.  We didn’t get to the car until 7am.  Of course, we lost the trail twice momentarily in the dark so that added time.  The terrain was also almost as tough as the first seven miles and we were not so fresh anymore!

Doing these types of activities really helps us continue to get some kind of appreciation and understanding of what the original boys went though 150 years.  These adventures are experimental archeological studies for us since we use very similar field crafts that they would have had to learn and deploy.  After it was all said and done we were each tired but it was a great experience.  One that we plan to repeat next year. 

 

30th Michigan History

The 30th Michigan Volunteer Infantry Regiment’s story has not been told and the regiment has nearly been forgotten about. Perhaps this is because it is believed they do not have a story to tell. There are a few likely reasons why these volunteers have faded away in history. The Regiment never left their home state on a campaign to meet the enemy on a field of battle and their existence was short lived at the near end of a long war.

The 30th Michigan can trace their birth to letters sent between Michigan’s Governor Blair, Major General Hooker and Secretary of War Staunton all discussing the creation of a regiment to protect Michigan’s border with Canada.

On November 3rd, 1864, Major General Hooker commanding the Northern Department, wrote a letter to the Secretary of War Edwin Staunton. Hooker was seeking permission for Governor Blair of Michigan to raise a 12 month volunteer regiment. This regiment would be detailed to protect the Michigan frontier along the St. Clair and Detroit Rivers.

Hooker stated that the regiment "should be organized before the Detroit River is frozen over." He writes the need for this quickly raised home guard regiment is that there is "no lesser force can render the frontier of Michigan secure from the incursions of the disaffected in Canada.”

There had been many fears, rumors and some truths to the incursions from the disaffected in Canada. One such attempt happened in September 1864 but was discussed as early as 1863. The plot was to capture the USS Michigan and attack Johnson's Island to free the Confederate prisoners. However, except for a few small steamers being burned, the plan was a failure. This attempt was certainly a trigger for seeking a home guard regiment in Michigan only two months after.

On November 4th, 1864, the Governor of Michigan received a response from Washington. It authorized the governor "to raise a regiment of volunteer infantry for twelve (12) months service unless sooner discharged.” It also stated that "The recruitment, organization and muster must conform with existing regulations.” This new regiment once organized would "report to Major General Hooker or the Department Commander for duty under him until further notice.”

Recruiting for the regiment started on November 7th 1864 in Jackson. Colonel G.S. Warner was the mustering officer. During the recruiting process, a letter was sent to Hooker seeking clarification and assurance that the new regiment would not be sent to the front. He felt that potential recruits would be more likely to enlist with this clarification of duties and it would speed up the recruiting process. Hooker's reply has not yet been found.

The regiment was made up from men all across the state such as Hillsdale, Detroit, Kalamazoo, Flint, and Armada just to name a few. Like so many companies before the 30th Michigan's companies were primarily made up from men living in the same community. The average age was in the low twenties. However, their ages varied greatly within each company from 16 to 44.

Records show that the regiment received their shipment of arms sometime during the end of 1864. They received .58 caliber Springfield Rifle Muskets in models 1855, 1861 and 1863.

Despite the concerns from the recruiting officer about slow enlistment, the regiment was organized and mustered into Federal service on January 9th, 1865in Detroit.

The staff of the regiment was as follows: Colonel Gorver Wormer, Lt Colonel John Sumner, Major Samuel Graves, Surgeon John Willet, Asst Surgeon Theron Hubbard, 2nd Asst Surgeon Owen Ellison Jr, Adjutant Jermoe Turner, Quartermaster William Wade and Chaplain Lyman Dean.

Once the regiment was organized and mustered into Federal service, the companies were mostly scattered along the St. Clair and Detroit Rivers. Fort Gratiot was the home for A and B companies. D company went to St. Clair and Wyandotte received E while K company went back to Jackson. H was sent to Fenton. C, F and I all went to the Detroit Barracks while G was at Fort Wayne with the Headquarters. At some point the Headquarters may have been moved up to Fort Gratiot but the time or length of this is not known as of now.

Once the end of the war came in the spring of 1865, the fears from the disaffected in Canada began to subside. The 30th Michigan was mustered out of Federal service on June 30th, 1865. Discharge papers show some men being discharged as early as June 24th. During the regiments six month existence, 1,001 officers and enlisted men served. Of these 18 died of disease.

While some were too young to enlist with enthusiasm when the boys of 61 did, they most likely did have that patriotic sense of duty when they volunteered in late 1864. For those men in their later years, it will never truly be known why they did not enlist earlier. As documentation suggests, it may have been a fear or other aversion to going into combat. After the stories reached home about the savage fighting that was encountered by other Regiments from the state, we should not judge them. We should remember that when their State asked for more men to protect it, they voluntarily signed their name on the enlistment forms and left their homes behind.

The details and individual stories of the men while they served are still a mystery but hopefully more will be learned as research is done. While their service was not as glorious as their brethren in the veteran regiments, their service is still a piece of Michigan’s and our Nation’s history. The 1,001 men in the ranks of the 30th Michigan have a unique story to tell and it should be remembered.

References

The Archives of Michigan

Harvey, D. Michigan Regimental Rosters. 18 January 2009

www.michiganinthewar.org

Leeson, M.A. (1882). History of Macomb County Michigan

Moran, D. (2004). USS Michigan Affair

Michigan Civil War Centennial Observance Commission. (1966). Small Arms Used by Michigan
Troops in the Civil War (pp. 45).

Letter dated Nov 3rd, 1864 to Secretary of War Stanton from Major Gen. Hooker asking permission for Governor Blair to raise a home guard regiment in Michigan.
Image Courtesy of the Archives of Michigan

Letter dated November 4th, 1864 to the Governor of Michigan from Washington giving permission to raise a twelve month volunteer regiment.
Image Courtesy of the Archives of Michigan

30th Michigan Enlistment Form
Image Courtesy of the Archives of Michigan

Josiah Hackett, 30th Mich. Co. I
Image Courtesy of the

Archives of Michigan

Letter written by Josiah Hackett, 30th Mich. Co. I, while at Detroit Barracks in 1865.
Image Courtesy of the

Archives of Michigan

Trip to Johnson's Island

I had the fortunate opportunity to be given a tour of the Johnson's Island archeological site and Confederate Cemetery located there.  This was a lucky opportunity as the only area open to the public is the Cemetery.  Johnson's Island was the location of an officers Confederate pow camp.  It opened in April 1862 and closed September 1865.  The prisoners were housed in twelve barracks buildings or blocks.  The inside walls of the prison included a hospital, sinks, wells and later two mess halls which were added during an expansion in 1864.  The Johnson's Island Military Depot saw around 10,000 men pass through its walls, a high population of around 3,200 and was the final resting place for 240.  Conditions at this pow camp were much better than most others however the men still lacked their freedom.

The ride out from Michigan was a pleasant one with great conversation all the way.  As we drove across the causeway on to the island we quickly passed the Cemetery knowing we would be back later.  We parked outside the dig area and started walking back.  As we came towards a clearing I could see different colored poles marking the locations of where some of the features of the camp were.  At the end of the field there was a large white tent with students working in and next to it.  Our tour guide greeted us right away and made us feel welcomed.  It was a busy afternoon there with several field specimens having been uncovered.  I am appreciative she took the time to explain things to us in between students calling for her.

Our first stop was to show us the work being done on the second latrine or sink.  There were several sinks opened and closed during the operation of the prison.  It was documented when each one was in use.  This is great for the archaeology work as it provides a specific time frame for anything found in these locations.  We then moved inside the tent which was over the location of one of the block houses.  Inside students were working away carefully clearing away soil and looking for any artifact.  Here a quick overview was provided on how the excavations take place and what they look for while doing it.  One thing I found interesting and never thought of is how the color of the soil is part of the archeological record to help uncover the story.  One example is the color of the dirt can mark where a tunnel was dug for an attempted escape.  In one area a bottle is emerging from the soil along with some metal items not far from it.   We were able to see several field specimens that were pulled from the site that day including part of a slate pencil, half of a hard rubber tube and a bone button.  We also were shown an inkwell prosser button and a few other items of interest and favorites of hers that were still on location.

The next couple of hours were spent watching them work, getting questions answered and enjoying the great weather.  For a few moments I sat on a bench looking over the site.  While I was sitting there I was imagining and trying to visualize what it was like and how it might have looked 150 years ago.  A wall around me with men in blue uniforms keeping watch while rebel officers walked around in civilian clothing between the building trying to pass the large amounts of idle time.  All the trees would be gone but could I see the water?  I couldn’t decide if I was there would it be good or not to see the water.  It could be a mental escape staring out over the bay but also a reminder of confinement and how far from home the Island is.

After the work day was over our knowledgeable guide took us back to an earthen fort that is still there and where another fort was located on the Island but is gone from quarry work and housing development.  Both forts were constructed after the attempted raid in September 1864 where men came over to Michigan from Canada with grand plans to free the prisoners.  This incident was what sparked the raising of the 30th Michigan, the last regiment raised in the state of Michigan during the war, which is a subject I have done some research on previously.  This visit was also a tie in with that piece of Michigan Civil War history.

After the walk back from the earthen fort we received explanations on what the colored poles are for.  The blue mark the corners of block houses, yellow the prison walls and red is the deadline.  This line was initially 10 feet from the wall and the prisoners were not to cross it or risk being shot.  After going over the dig site we drove over to the Cemetery as a final stop on the island just like it was for each of the men buried there.

The afternoon was topped off with some light discussion on hard rubber and gutta percha items and then more enjoyable conversation at a local dive.  I feel I only scratched the history of Johnson’s Island during that one visit.  That’s ok because I know I will be back to take another scratch at it.

Historical marker sign posted at the entrance to the archeological dig site which is private property.

The second latrine is being covered for the day.

Part of the grounds with the blue poles marking the corners of where buildings once stood.  The sinks were on the left side of the white tent.

Poles marking where the 1862 prison wall and deadline ran.

Inside the large white tent which covers one of the block houses.

Perhaps a bitters bottle emerging from its 150 year resting place.

The Confederate Cemetery looking towards the bay.

 

Campaign Packing

I received the question how to pack campaign style for an event.  There are probably as many varying answers to that question as there are men to answer it.  Below are what my opinions are on the subject.  These methods come about after lots of trial and error and reading primary accounts.  What I use and what I carry is dictated by the impression of the event.  The first section is what I do most of the time.
 

Knapsack

I place my folded issue blanket into the bag portion of the pack.  This is the side that sits on your back so the blanket provides protection from things poking you and a flat surface.  If I am bringing a shelter tent that goes on top of the blanket and some rope/twine gets shoved along one of the sides of the bag.  The envelope portion is where I put my personal items.  These almost always include a spare shirt (folded flat and put in first), socks, sleeping cap, housewife, huck towel, small fold up lantern or candle and a convenience poke sack.  That includes some scraps of fabric, toothbrush, toothpowder, Motrin, half a wood comb, foot powder and chunk of soap.  All of this is in tins or small medicine glass bottles.  My rubber blanket is folded and placed on top of the blanket bag and everything is buckled closed.  The rubber blanket is placed so if it starts to rain I or a pard can easily pull it out.  Now to cover some of the if’s and add on’s.  If I am carrying my small fry pan that goes between the bags on top of the rubber blanket to protect the wool blanket.  A hatchet would be put on the “shelf” created by the full blanket bag.  I have used to different methods for carrying a great coat.  One is to roll it up and place it on top of the pack using the overcoat straps (tip: run the straps through the arm straps so the bag has more support from sagging back).  I also have folded it and placed it in the bag and put the rolled blanket on top.  There is a trade off in each case.  With the coat on top you will have a dry blanket if it rains.  With the coat in the bag you have a more balanced pack which will ride on your shoulders better.  One thing that I am not a fan of is strapping my cup or boiler to the outside of my pack.  I have tried this and I find it just collects dirt which I don’t want in my food or coffee.

Blanket Roll

I take the blanket and fold it length wise a once or twice.  Place personal items on one end of the blanket.  With carrying just a roll you need to pack really light.  When I have done this all I have is extra socks and my convenience poke sack.  Finish the roll by rolling it up.  Stand on one end or have a pard hold the other.  Now twist the roll pretty tight and tie the two ends together with twine or an overcoat strap.  By twisting the roll it will help keep it tight, small and close to your body.  Put the roll so the “baggage area” is on your back.  Toss it over either shoulder, personal preference. 

With either of these methods there is not much extra.  Some items might be added such as writing materials or a pocket fishing kit on occasion.  I do my best to pack as if I would be carrying everything on my back all day long.  I also try not to back as if I am only going out for 36 hours since the men we portray were on campaign much more then that.  The best campaign packing method is the one that works for you  Just keep in mind you need to be able to carry the pack or roll for extended periods and read primary accounts so you can learn what they did.  It is not often you find details on how they packed especially later in the war.  To them it was just an everyday thing that didn’t really mater enough to write down.  Below is a link to an article written on this topic which includes some other methods and photos.

http://www.26nc.org/Articles/knapsack%20and%20blanket%20roll.pdf