Page 42 - ASM Book 9/2020

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Continental Soldier’s Equipment
• MUSKET that weighed 10.5 pounds and was 58.5 inches long.
• LEATHER or TIN CARTRIDGE BOX with 20-30 musket balls, musket tool and flints, carried on the right side.
• POWDER HORN for black gun powder.
• BAYONET in a leather scabbard attached to a linen or leather shoulder strap, carried on the left side.
• HAVERSACK, usually made of linen that carried food and utensils, including a wrought iron fork, pewter or horn spoon, knife, plate and cup.
• WATER CANTEEN made of wood, tin or glass.
• KNAPSACK for clothing, personal items, blanket, candles and candle holders, and a tinderbox for flint and steel.
Uniforms were important to the armies. Battles fought with black-powder weapons would produce thick smoke making it difficult to see more than a few yards. It was important to distinguish between friends and enemies. Because smoke was usually white, bright colors were used for uniforms. The British wore mostly red uniforms; the French wore uniforms of white and differing shades of blue; and the Americans wore dark blues and browns. Congress did not adopt a Continental uniform until 1779. Soldiers attempted to have clothing similar to each other in the same company or regiment.
Revolutionary Long Rifle
Kentucky Long Rifle