Army regulations called for a grey blanket with black end stripes, free from shoddy, 67"x84" and weighing 5 pounds with US stitched in the center. The regulations specified that each soldier was to be issued a blanket. Seldom if ever were blankets produced that met the specs. Quartermaster Department agents purchased every blanket they could get their hands on. Color varied gretaly as did the weight and maner of construction. Some that were accepted had so much shoddy in them, they fell apart within days of being issued. This most likely is where shoddy picked up its negative connotation.

Mounted troops were issued a second blanket. This blanket was folded in such a way to make a 6 layer thick pad to go between the saddle and the horse. Cavalry troops were issued a blue blanket with a 4 inch orange stripe around the outer edge of the blanket. Artillery was issued a crimson blanket with the stripe being blue. The US was to be stitched in the center with the same colored thread same as the stripe. Each saddle was issued with a blanket.

While I am not as well versed about Quatermaster and Ordinance Department Regulations post war, I do know there was a tremendous amount of stuff left over when the war ended. Since it was already bought and paid for, I am certain it was issued. I know this to be the case for some uniform items (trousers, blouses, caps, shirts and shoes) as well as equipments (saddles and horse tack, belts and boxes, sabers etc) Therefore I feel certain that until the Regulations changed the solider on duty in 1866 or 1867 would be granted his issues from the same stocks as those in 1865 before the war ended.

I hope this info is useful.