The California Column
Haversack
M1851 Haversack with liner bag.
Note: This is the standard issue Federal black-painted, cloth haversack.
Canteen
M1858 "smooth side" canteen with appropriate cover and leather strap.
Notes: The preferred cover material is jean cloth in tan, brown, or gray. Dark
blue and sky blue covers will be accepted
but were relatively uncommon. Leather canteen straps are
preferred but cloth (not web) straps are acceptable. Jack
chains should be replaced with hemp
string.
Tin cup
A: M1858 issue type tin cup made of tinned sheet iron or sheet steel, to
be of appropriate period construction
B: M1850 issue type tin cup made of tinned sheet
iron or sheet steel, to be of appropriate period construction
C: Civilian tin cup made of
tinned sheet iron or sheet steel.
Note: No stainless steel cups or porcelain "Cowboy" cups. No covered "muckets" or
cups with manufactured bails.
Improvised, soldier-made, wire bails are acceptable.
Tin plate
Tin plate of know period pattern and construction. Should be able to fit into the haversack.
Utensils
A: Fork and stamped tinned sheet iron spoon (table spoon size), either original
or reproduction.
B: Pocket knife combination knife, fork, and spoon, of correct period pattern.
Note: G.O. No. 3 omitted any mess knife, possibly because each man was supposed to carry a good sheath knife.
Sheath knife
Per G.O. No. 3, each man was supposed to carry a “good sheath knife.” As these were not
a normal army issue item,
there was almost certainly some variation in size and style. A period
"Green River"
or similar type knife, in a sheath of
period construction, is preferred. At minimum, the knife
should have a wood or bone handle, have all modern maker
marks removed, and be carried in a sheath that
is either entirely sewn, or else uses period rivets. Beads and other
sheath decorations are discouraged.
A period pocket knife will suffice in lieu of a sheath knife.
Knapsack
U.S. early pattern M1853/55 "double bag" knapsack.
Note: Knapsacks are highly encouraged. While there is documentation that California
troops wore bedrolls on patrol
and Indian campaigns in Arizona the records indicate that they wore
(and grumbled about) knapsacks on the march
to Arizona.
Blanket
A: U. S. Issue M1851 gray wool blanket with black end strips and US stitched
or stenciled in the center (preferred)
B: Period correct civilian wool blanket.
Ground cloth (optional)
Private-purchase rubber, painted or oil cloth ground sheet.
Note: the U.S. issue rubber blanket and/or poncho were not available for issue to
soldiers in California in early 1862.
Regulation rubber ground sheets/ponchos will not be allowed as
"private purchse" items. A “private purchase” varient
is “optional” because, unlike the knives, which
were bought up and issued to the men, the soldiers would have had to
buy these themselves.
A piece of then-commercially available "tarp" material -- of either oil cloth, painted cloth, or
rubborized cloth - that does not resemble any issue military versions (e.g. different grommets or
no grommets) will be
acceptable.
There is no hard evidence as to how many men actually made this purchase -- most probably
did not.
Sergeant George Hand, in one of his diary entries, concerning the march, stated that at bed-time he simply "rolled
myself in greatcoat and blanket and quietly lay myself down to sleep." Strictly speaking the most "authentic" march
impression would have no ground sheet or rain protection -- however the participant will have to bear the consequences
if it does rain (as it did briefly but lightly, during the 2011 march).
Instructions for making your own painted cloth