Osprey Men-at-Arms 214 : US Infantry Equipments 1775-1910

The development of US Army infantry equipment has been a story of trial and error, of adopting new designs to meet new problems. It was not until 1910 that a whole system of equipment, including everything from the waist belts to the canteens to the cartridge-carriers to the haversack, was officially adopted. Prior to that, each piece of equipment was designed to meet a specific need, without any consideration of anything else the soldier had to carry. This is true even of so-called 'systems' that were developed and tested - but not adopted - by the Army from time to time during and after the Civil War. System or no, however, even when American soldiers have been ragged and hungry, they have rarely lacked basic infantry equipment. Witness the statement of Connecticut sergeant, Joseph Plumb Martin, who recalled when his regiment mustered at a particularly low time for American arms in 1777: 'Here we drew our arms and equipments. Uncle Sam was always careful to supply us with these articles, even if he could not give us anything to eat, drink, or wear.'. Philip Katcher explores the history of US Infantry equipments from 1775-1910, covering everything from blankets to belts and beyond and packed with photographs and illustrations, including eight full page colour plates by Bryan Fosten.

Contents

• Introduction
• Blankets, Ponchos, Shelter Halves
• Canteens and Water Bottles
• Cartridge Boxes
• Knapsacks
• Waist Belts & Bayonet Scabbards
• Rifle Equipment
• Officers' Equipment
• Experimental Systems
• The Plates