The Confederate Soldier never seem to have enough food on the march to use his haversack. There are many recorded incidents where when issue 3 days rations the Confederate soldier would eat it all in one meal and carry his rations for those 3 days in that manner.

So then what did he carry a Haversack for?

That is where I carry almost all of my odds and ends like pipe and tobacco, enfield tool, eating equipment, fork, knife spoon, plate or canteen half, a cup (tied to the outside strap), a Bible, Hankerchief, Lucifers, my Barlow knife, a couple of leather shoestrings for tieing things. And if needs be I can even tie a poke bag of Cornmeal, or salt meat, onto a strap along with my cup and a tin skillet that fits onto my bayonet.

I use the haversack like the old frontiersman used his hunting possibles bags. It was something that if you only could carry one thing it was what you would grab when the Indians were after your scalp.

In this manner with my Haversack, Canteen and a Blanket roll I have everything I need to campaign until the supply wagons catch up with the column. Everything else is extra.

The Old Confederate Soldiers was a practical as he could be and would reduce his load that he had to carry to the very basic minimum load possible and still be comfortable. This is my impression how I would have done it.

The Northern soldier was a bit more regulations in their use of the haversack. But, they also were just as practical.