Library of Congress

Full-length portrait of a bearded Union soldier in uniform, laden with knapsack, blanket roll, canteen, and other field equipment.

During the Overland Campaign of 1864, veteran Union soldier John Billings took notice when a full-strength—and fully equipped—regiment of reinforcements marched past his camp. “These men had started from Washington with knapsacks that were immense in their proportions, and had clung to them manfully the first day or two out, but this morning in question, which was of the sultriest kind, was taking them beyond endurance.” As these new arrivals soon learned, a full knapsack compounded a soldier’s burden on the march, which could exceed 60 pounds. While veterans like Billings found ways to minimize this load—discarding all but the most necessary personal effects, and even the knapsacks themselves—the extra weight could (and sometimes did) cause serious health problems, including hernias, when not shouldered wisely. Here we highlight the average weights of key elements contributing to Billy Yank’s personal cargo.

Weight of Union Soldiers’ Equipment

5.25 pounds — Union soldier’s winter overcoat

5.75 pounds — Haversack containing three days’ cooked rations

1 pound — Daily ration (10 pieces) of hardtack

6 pounds — Empty knapsack

5 pounds — Army-issued wool blanket

1.75 pounds — Half shelter tent

2 pounds — Single change of underclothing (shirt, drawers, socks)

4.5–5.0 ounces — Uniform hat without trimmings

3.2 pounds — Trousers, woolen shirt, drawers, and socks

3.8 pounds — Full army canteen

11–14 pounds — Rifle and “accouterments”

4 pounds — 40 rounds of ammunition

143 pounds — Average weight of Union soldiers

5′ 6.4″ — Median height of Union soldiers