Cpt. Whitehall walks you through items commonly found in a Civil War officer's field desk. For more information on Civil Reenacting or Berdan Sharpshooters check us out at www.2ndUSSS.com
I love that you quoted your grandfather. That sounds just like him. Do you still have that shaving kit I bought you? You should make a video of how men bathe in the field. Nothing weird, just how it was done in the field between battles.
Very informative Captain Winhall and a very nice field desk in desk indeed stocked with great reference material. I found my self thumbing through the green guards and pickets manual as I was unexpectedly and suddenly assigned to Sgt of the guard house at an event. Hope to see you and the men on the field some day.
Captain, I so enjoy yours and 1st sgt's videos. I was an infantry reenactor all during the '80s up till the mid '90s. If I was still young I wouldl join your unit in a heart beat. But then perhaps not since I live in Alabama and y'all live in Oregon. But I would love being in your unit though. I love how organized and professional y'all are. I Love y'all's videos. I enjoyed yours and 1st Sgt's vdieo about the Sharps rifle you use. I am thinking of getting me one just to plink and have fun with, hunt too I reckon. I wish you lived closer. I am in my mid 60s now but would love to just visit and chat.
By any chance could 1SG Kemp post the blueprints/materials list for this and all future woodworking to either the website or the Facebook page? Once again great video!
That's a good idea. I'll see what I can do. This particular desk I made from plans in A.J Hammler' s Civil War Woodworking vol. 1. Plans won't start coming out for a few weeks, though. I'm currently in France, then Belgium visiting wwi and wwii sites. Feel free to let me know if there is something you'd like to see first. In the meantime definitely check out hammler' s work. Thanks for watching!
I'm a fiction writer, who just did a book with former Civil War soldiers in it... all this is really good information... Why do you think that some officers wore Kepi's and some wore more "cowboy-esque" hats... was it up to the officer, as I've read it was. I'm thinking you would have worn a blue sash?
You would be correct on the different styles of caps and hats, definitely up to the officer since they had to pay for their uniforms. With the sash, the order of the day was all officers from Lt. to Col. was the burgundy sash for infantry and other branches besides Cavalry which would have been yellow OR burgundy. Generals wore a cream or "buff" sash.
If you're referring to the modern military time of the 24 hour clock they did not. They went off the 12hour one from what I have been able to find in letters, journals and regulations.
Great vid! Just one question... shouldn't your hat... have the proper gold indications of your rank ??? Secondly, was there a reason you weren't wearing your sash? Just curious... I realize that it was an educational vid, but curious anyway. Hmmm... how did you carry this desk on March? Over all, it looks great and you did a great job illustrating it.
Officers had their choice of black or gold braid. Many opted for the black (especially sharpshooters) to not give themselves away from the glint. Sashes were required for formal occasions, certain duties but while in the field not required. Having a sword scabbard banging around is a distraction enough and adding two tassels to the mix is just a head ache haha. For the filed desk the officers would have had a wagon or two designated to them and the field desks would have been carried in there.
We have an event coming up at the end of this month. If the Capt. brings his desk, I'll do a walk through. You can make them as simple or as complicated as you'd like. You can essentially just make a hardtack box which just involves nailing boards together, put some hinges on the lid for a writing desk and put in dividers as you like. You could also just nail the dividers together with cut nails, too if you're limited on tools and budget.
Would love to see that lol. I actually added your Cpt recently on FB, good guy we were having a good conversation about the Marcy Field Cot as well. Love watching what you guys bring to the table. Very informative and the skill with the woodworking is simply amazing.
bryan kisner if they were educated and was their private profession why not? Reading the regimental muster of the 2nd USSS there were all sorts of walks of life from farmers and lumbermen to type setters and players who held NCO positons.
I know that this has nothing to do with the officers desk but how common was it for officer's to carry none regulation swords from Britain and or France?
Ethan Whitehall do you about the none regulation 1850 officers sword. Also do you or sergeant Kepp know were i can buy a good fair priced replica of it?
Other than they tended to be more "showy" than the regulation foot officers sword and typically had more decoration on the hilt and various blade lengths there's not much else. As far as I know no one really makes repros of them. Granted I haven't really looked in depth on if they are made because I don't really have a use for them.
I love that you quoted your grandfather. That sounds just like him. Do you still have that shaving kit I bought you? You should make a video of how men bathe in the field. Nothing weird, just how it was done in the field between battles.
It is really nice how much all of you put into this. The paper work and manuals, just amazing.
Well done young Sir!
Thank you very much!
It's good to see another young officer. Very well done!
Colonel J. Steiner
Thank you very much Colonel. I hope you enjoy our videos and the future ones to come!
Capt. Whitehall
Very informative Captain Winhall and a very nice field desk in desk indeed stocked with great reference material. I found my self thumbing through the green guards and pickets manual as I was unexpectedly and suddenly assigned to Sgt of the guard house at an event. Hope to see you and the men on the field some day.
Captain, I so enjoy yours and 1st sgt's videos. I was an infantry reenactor all during the '80s up till the mid '90s. If I was still young I wouldl join your unit in a heart beat. But then perhaps not since I live in Alabama and y'all live in Oregon. But I would love being in your unit though. I love how organized and professional y'all are. I Love y'all's videos. I enjoyed yours and 1st Sgt's vdieo about the Sharps rifle you use. I am thinking of getting me one just to plink and have fun with, hunt too I reckon. I wish you lived closer. I am in my mid 60s now but would love to just visit and chat.
By any chance could 1SG Kemp post the blueprints/materials list for this and all future woodworking to either the website or the Facebook page?
Once again great video!
That's a good idea. I'll see what I can do. This particular desk I made from plans in A.J Hammler' s Civil War Woodworking vol. 1. Plans won't start coming out for a few weeks, though. I'm currently in France, then Belgium visiting wwi and wwii sites. Feel free to let me know if there is something you'd like to see first. In the meantime definitely check out hammler' s work. Thanks for watching!
very cool, thx for sharing
Doesnt seem like army hand reciepts changed much in 150 years lol
Where can a person buy manuals like you have for artillery and officers commands?
Going live anytime soon ?
Did the commanding officer have to pass the shooting test as well
I wondered if I could get a copy of the NCO warrant form
I think Cpt. Whitehall gets them from Sullivan Press online.
Where can one, find those manuel's?
What is a period correct paper?
I'm a fiction writer, who just did a book with former Civil War soldiers in it... all this is really good information... Why do you think that some officers wore Kepi's and some wore more "cowboy-esque" hats... was it up to the officer, as I've read it was. I'm thinking you would have worn a blue sash?
You would be correct on the different styles of caps and hats, definitely up to the officer since they had to pay for their uniforms.
With the sash, the order of the day was all officers from Lt. to Col. was the burgundy sash for infantry and other branches besides Cavalry which would have been yellow OR burgundy. Generals wore a cream or "buff" sash.
Very nice, could you send me the files of the absent list and materials list?
Follow the link to our website and you will see my email address, drop me a line and I can send them to you.
Capt. Whitehall
Company D 2nd USSS I am sorry but I cant find it, where should it be?
www.2ndusss.com just have to scroll down a tad and its under the "contact us"
What time was used in the Union Army during the war?
If you're referring to the modern military time of the 24 hour clock they did not. They went off the 12hour one from what I have been able to find in letters, journals and regulations.
Great vid! Just one question... shouldn't your hat... have the proper gold indications of your rank ??? Secondly, was there a reason you weren't wearing your sash? Just curious... I realize that it was an educational vid, but curious anyway. Hmmm... how did you carry this desk on March? Over all, it looks great and you did a great job illustrating it.
Officers had their choice of black or gold braid. Many opted for the black (especially sharpshooters) to not give themselves away from the glint.
Sashes were required for formal occasions, certain duties but while in the field not required. Having a sword scabbard banging around is a distraction enough and adding two tassels to the mix is just a head ache haha.
For the filed desk the officers would have had a wagon or two designated to them and the field desks would have been carried in there.
i am actually looking for a desk like that. been looking for somwonw to byd it or show how to build it on a budget lol
We have an event coming up at the end of this month. If the Capt. brings his desk, I'll do a walk through. You can make them as simple or as complicated as you'd like. You can essentially just make a hardtack box which just involves nailing boards together, put some hinges on the lid for a writing desk and put in dividers as you like. You could also just nail the dividers together with cut nails, too if you're limited on tools and budget.
Would love to see that lol. I actually added your Cpt recently on FB, good guy we were having a good conversation about the Marcy Field Cot as well. Love watching what you guys bring to the table. Very informative and the skill with the woodworking is simply amazing.
a witing box would have been standard for any officer in any western army, theres lots about them on utube
Do you guys practice in Washington state
Yes we do. We do have a living history in Fort Stevens Oregon as well.
U said u need a bugler well I am I Benn trien to get In the hobby for a year now It would be my houner to join
Do you live in the Washing State area by any chance?
Ethan Whitehall I live in ny but not to far away
Oh nm not dc
a wood worker would not be a 1st sgt
bryan kisner if they were educated and was their private profession why not? Reading the regimental muster of the 2nd USSS there were all sorts of walks of life from farmers and lumbermen to type setters and players who held NCO positons.
I know that this has nothing to do with the officers desk but how common was it for officer's to carry none regulation swords from Britain and or France?
Fairly common. There's quite a few examples. A quick Google image search for Civil War officers swords would send you the right way.
Ethan Whitehall do you about the none regulation 1850 officers sword. Also do you or sergeant Kepp know were i can buy a good fair priced replica of it?
Other than they tended to be more "showy" than the regulation foot officers sword and typically had more decoration on the hilt and various blade lengths there's not much else. As far as I know no one really makes repros of them. Granted I haven't really looked in depth on if they are made because I don't really have a use for them.
Ethan Whitehall ok thanks capt you do a great job!😀
Ethan Whitehall is your m1850 foot officers sword from fall creek sutlery