| Brummie Lad | 16 Mar 2010 12:52 p.m. PST |
You often see blanket rolls on miniatures painted in a vast assortment of colours. In particular, I was wondering how accurate this is with regards to the confederates. Would there be all sorts of colours of blanket rolls, or would there just be a few? Would Union troops be more accurately depicted if the majority of blanket rolls were painted as 'standard' issue? If you have any links to images, that would be great!! Thanks for your input |
| Jeffersonian | 16 Mar 2010 1:37 p.m. PST |
A Confederate regiment might initially be issued matching blankets by the quartermaster, but as time passed and blankets were lost or damaged they would be replaced by requisition from different sources, by capture, or by blankets sent from home. I usually paint my Confederate regiments with seventy-five percent matching blankets and the rest a variety of blanket colors. |
Shagnasty  | 16 Mar 2010 2:30 p.m. PST |
Federal standard issue was dark gray, much like the CD blankets from the Cold War. Early war militia units might have different colors like the Rhode Islanders' red. |
| Frederick | 16 Mar 2010 2:33 p.m. PST |
As noted, the Union had standard issue bedrolls, and the Rebs were as variable as could be – a lot would probably be "borrowed" from Union stores |
| McWong73 | 16 Mar 2010 6:53 p.m. PST |
Jeffersonian has the optimum mix right but I tend to limit my alternate colours to a simple green, blue or grey. My standard bedroll colour for CSA is a brown/grey as stright grey tend to get lost on Rebs. |
| Ryan T | 16 Mar 2010 8:56 p.m. PST |
Union blankets were supposed to be gray, but a number of tan or brown blankets were also issued. As well, the blanket roll could also be a semi-gloss dark gray if the blanket was rolled up with the rubber ground sheet on the outside. Confederate blankets could have somewhat more variety. Captured Union blankets found widespread use. Confederate made blankets would have probably been more multi-hued, but earth hues such as brown or gray were most common. North Carolina, however, is known to have issued dark blue blankets to its troops. But if you really want to show off your painting skills do a number of figures with ingrain carpet blankets. Because of the shortage of proper blankets the Confederate Quartermaster Department issued wool carpets for use as blankets. An idea of the wide range of colours and designs can be seen at the Family Heir-loom Weavers site link |
| Billy Yank | 17 Mar 2010 7:15 a.m. PST |
I don't know for sure, but I would be very surprised if Federal troops (esp. in the west) did not have a pretty good variety of blankets that they bought from the sutler, off the local economy or got sent from home. Soldiers at all times in history in every army obtain equipment from other sources in ways that circumvent the supply system. BY |
| docdennis1968 | 17 Mar 2010 1:08 p.m. PST |
In the ACW variety was widespread in just about everything. You CAN go too far with it, but you have to try very hard to paint something that was never worn or carried by somebody at some time it seems!! |
| cfuzwuz | 18 Mar 2010 2:37 a.m. PST |
What percentage of soldiers would have their blankets rolled up in rubber ground sheets? Seems like having a ground sheet would be high priority as a wet blanket makes for a cold night. |
| KeithRK | 18 Mar 2010 8:11 a.m. PST |
I don't know if you can come up with a percentage as something like that would be a personal preference. |
| EJNashIII | 18 Mar 2010 3:19 p.m. PST |
"Seems like having a ground sheet would be high priority as a wet blanket makes for a cold night." However, as most people of the period spent more time outdoors they would 1) have a better idea if and when rain could be expected 2) wouldn't care as much about getting wet. From my experience hiking and as a reenactor I find a blanket roll more comfortable to wear without sweaty rubber on it. Also, I would want the poncho/sheet available for me rather than just for the blanket. |
