Over the years, one contention between mainstream reenactors and those striving for a more authentic impression has been the wearing of haversacks and canteens, particularly the heights of those items. It is believed that throughout reenacting history that we have had a tendency to wear our slung accouterments lower than what is normally observed in period photographs and drawings. A characterization of the "farb" has developed in which he will wear his haversack and canteen under the belt and bouncing off the lower thigh and knee. To distance themselves from this notion and any possible similarity, the "hard-cores" have prescribed a different way of wearing this gear. They suppose it to be worn over the belt, so high on the body and tight that they invariably rest on the back just under the shoulder blade. We are told that this will keep the gear from slapping around uncomfortably on the body during the march. Additionally, we have all learned to wear both our haversacks and canteens uniformly on the left side. As usual, and just as unfortunately, these assumptions are made without benefit of observation and analysis of primary materials.
        So, in an effort to examine the way the Confederate soldier wore his haversack and canteen, I have compiled and analyzed a small, but hopefully representative sample of contemporary views of Johnny Reb. Observation revealed that there are good general rules to be followed when determining how to wear those two items.
        The images of Confederates were divided into three categories; photographs (studio and prisoner); sketches of Confederates by Federals, usually done during the war or on the spot; and drawings or paintings of Confederates by Confederates, done primarily after the war. With this group of renderings, I identified sixty-four subjects whose haversacks and/or canteens are visible.(footnote 1)

        In analyzing the images, I looked for four things:
        1) The height at which the soldiers are wearing their haversacks and canteens;
        2) If they are over or under other gear;
        3) How loosely or tightly they appear to cling to the body and;
        4) On which side each piece of gear is worn.

        The point of measurement of the haversack is at the top of the haversack bag, on the canteen it is at the top of the body of the canteen where it connects to the spout. In determining the height of these items I used two benchmarks:

        • the height of the item as compared to the elbow;
        • the height of the item in comparison to the beltline.

        The problem with the first benchmark is that the arms are not always hanging next to the gear, nor is the body always perfectly vertical. But a few moments of reflection can tell you where the arm may rest. I used the beltline because I do not want to enter the debate over where the correct waistline is and where the hips are. And besides, the beltline is visible whereas the former are not. I had to eliminate many of the subjects from several categories because their beltlines were not visible, their arms were just too high, the image too dark, or they were not wearing a particular item.

        Here is what I came up with:
        [Note- there are 64 total subjects. Seven are in group A (photographs), Eleven in group B (drawings by Unionists) and Forty-six in group C (drawings by Confederates). For the conclusions, I have combined all groups.]

Height of tops of haversack as compared to the elbow.
Of 35 subjects who are visible enough to judge this...
 1 is above the elbow (2%)
 9 are at the level of the elbow (26%)
 25 are below the elbow (71%)

Height of tops of haversack as compared to the beltline.
Of 41 subjects...
 3 are above the beltline (7%)
 27 are at the level of the beltline (66%)
 11 are below the beltline (27%)

Height of tops of canteen as compared to the elbow.
Of 23 subjects...
 1 is above the elbow (4%)
 6 are at the level of the elbow (26%) 16 are below the elbow (70%)

Height of tops of canteen as compared to the beltline.
Of 34 subjects...
 8 are above the beltline (23%)
 15 are at the level of the beltline (44%) 11 are below the beltline (32%)

Over/Under Belt.
        Fifty-two subjects were displaying their gear enough to determine where the straps lie. On all 52 (100%) they were over the belt. A definite conclusion could not be made as to the wearing of haversacks and canteens over or under blanket rolls and knapsacks as the subjects, where visible, were noted to be doing both equally.

Looseness/Tightness
        Most subjects appear to wear their haversacks and canteens in a loose manner. Most subjects are standing erect enough to have their gear laying flat against the body, but rather than looking tight, they have the appearance of having the ability to swing loosely. Some subjects are shown in the process of leaning and falling over and their haversacks and canteens tend to swing considerably free of the body.

Sides
Of 55 haversacks visible...
 46 are worn on the left side (84%)
  9 are worn on the right side (16%)

Of 38 canteens visible...
 29 are worn on the left side (76%)
 9 are worn on the right side (24%)

Of 29 sets of haversacks and canteens visible together...
 21 sets are worn on the same side (72%)
 18 are the left (86%)
 3 on the right (14%)
 8 sets are worn crossed (28%)

        A survey of extant haversacks and canteens and the soldiers who wore them should rightly be the subject of a separate article, but a few comments will be necessary here. Unpublished observations made by members of Sherman's Bummers and the 2nd North Carolina in the early 1970s on period haversacks and canteens, augmented by actual field use of these same items, supports the standards established herein. Knots are occasionally found to have been tied into the straps of originals; canteens more often than haversacks.(footnote 2) The knots are generally of the smallest kind leaving little or no excess length, suggesting that they were tied for reasons other than heightening the article. This preliminary data, although informal, represents one of the few studies to date, and is derived from an admittedly limited sample.(footnote 3) Hopefully a comprehensive and more systematic survey of original gear will be a subject of further study.

Conclusions

        Several conclusions can be made from this analysis. First is that former rules about where you wear your haversack and canteen should be forgotten. They should not be worn under the belt, and if the body of the item is bouncing on your knee it is too low. Nor should they be worn too high, above the elbow, behind the arm and on the back. The "hard-core" way of wearing them has a very identifiable "look" to it. This 'look" simply does not appear an any image of the Confederate soldier that was put to glass or paper by his contemporaries. Nor should they be worn exclusively on the left side.
        The best way to determine where to wear your haversack and canteen should be by comparing their tops to your own elbow and your beltline. That is a variable measurement on most people. Those with long arms have their elbows very near their beltline. Those with shorter arms will have a greater distance between the two. The tops of your haversacks and canteens should, as a rule, be no higher than your elbow, and properly rest around the level of your beltline. They should be over your belt and have just enough looseness to be able to swing away from your body. They should rest under your arm and on your side. Your gear, especially your canteen, may be worn on opposite sides, some, but not all of the time. Following these guidelines on a personal and company level will result in a more accurate view of the Confederate soldier.(footnote 4)

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