The haversacks were not issued, and are not seen in period iconography except when the soldier did not have a knapsack – in which case the sack was worn on the back with shoulder-straps, not over one shoulder and to the side. Actually having an over the shoulder sack might have occurred on campaign from time to time, but it was not "typical". Officers, especially adjutants, might have had a personal-purchase writing case, typically leather, over one shoulder (not so different from the iconic soviet-era officer's map case).
Shako-covers were formally ordered in 1817. From Mr. Conrad's translation of the Viskovatov:
"13 May 1817 – In order to relieve the soldier while on campaign and to protect his accouterments, it is laid down that during this time they are always to be in greatcoats and their shako, plume, pouch and coat, with their leggings, are to have covers of raven's-duck or Flemish linen painted with black oil paint in the manner of oilcloth so that they do not allow water to penetrate ….
For the shako cover: The plume, cord, and pompon are removed from the shako. ….The cover is put on over the shako with visor, it being tailored to fit close, with an overlap on the left side and fastening with small hooks. On the top of the cover where the pompon would be is sewn a piece of cloth the same color as the pompon, and into this pompon cover is inserted a piece of wood. To distinguish companies, company numbers made of yellow cloth are sewn onto the front of the shako covers, designating the first Grenadier company by the letters.1 .P. [Cyrillic R for rota]; the second Fusilier company with 1 P.; the second Fusilier company with 2 P., etc. The size of these numbers and letters is 2 1/4 inches. To protect the back of the soldier's head and his ears, an oilcloth, painted on both sides, is to be sewn to the lower edge of the cover in back, its length being determined by the ends of the visor and its width by the height of the shako. In good weather this oilcloth is raised up and its side edges fastened to the cover by small hooks; but in rainy weather it is let down and thus protects the soldier from wetness."
It would appear from period iconography that use of the skako covers pre-dates the regulation. It is especially noticed with southern units, who seemed to have used a clear varnish or wax or no treatment of the cloth – so that the covers were a sunshade only (the covers and ear/neck flaps appear white or a light natural color). Seeing the black-painted type in naïve iconography is harder, but I think it can be assumed to have been in use.
Here is a fairly typical interpretation of a pre-regulation cover from a reenactor unit (notice also one over the shoulder cloth sack among the several soldiers shown):
The "bread" found in the knapsacks was the "iron-ration" or reserve issue of twice-baked hard bread. It was called "rusks", and not considered the same as the "bread" issue. Normally fresh, soft bread (white from wheat flour and black from rye I think) was issued. In addition to "official" provision of bread from army-level bakeries, often one mess (artel') in a battalion or regiment would make bread as a small business, and provide it fresh to the other messes and officers, being paid a scheduled amount from the regiment.
- Sasha
gets started with Flintloque.
