"Are Civil War style blanket rolls accurate for Rev War" Topic

I was wondering if anyone knows if the blanket roll – slung across the shoulder Civil War style was used in the Revolutionary War?

Thanks!

James

Which side?

I haven't read much about AWI uniforms, but I've never seen the British painted wearing that roll. As for the Continental Army, it was "a hunting shirt and the breeches you showed up in," so if everyone's wearing their blanket just so, that's a little shaky.

Later on they got uniforms, but again, I don't know about blankets.

Certainly some troops in the Napoleonic wars wore blankets into battle in a couple different ways, so its not too far out to ask.

Andrew

Andrew,

Thanks for the reply!

I was thinking of the colonial forces in particular…

James

I don't ever recall seeing ACW style blanket rolls on AWI plates. There is no mention of them in any of the literature. Blankets were commonly rolled atop backpacks or used as tumpline carriers. A blanket roll would get in the way of your canteen, bayonet, and haversack if worn over the right shoulder. Regimental coats often served as blankets among Continentals and Brits alike. Undo the turnbacks and wrap up in them. After all, they were a heavy wool. Likewise the hunting shirt was also capable of serving as a blanket, at least in Washington's eyes. He plumped for it to become the uniform of the Continental Army, stating it was "cool in the summer and warm in the winter". I can tell you now that he had it backwards, having worn one in both kinds of weather.