Bedroll & Haversack Camping, 1877 Advice from a Civil War Veteran

In North America during the1800s, people often camped on private property when walking from place to place. Farmers provided food and supplies for a small fee. John Muir, one of the most influential conservationists and nature writers in American history, used this mode of travel to walk 1,000 miles from Indiana to the Gulf of Mexico, immediately after the Civil War. Years later, as families were moving into the cities, young men had forgotten how camp-out. To provide advice, John M. Gould, a veteran of the Civil War, wrote an informative book, titled "How to Camp Out." This book provided simple instructions — on how to enjoy camping and hiking. These instructions are as valuable today as they were more than 125 years ago. See: http://www.gutenberg.org/ebooks/17575

This video demonstrates key instructions from this book (and other references): blanket rolls, haversacks, camping on private property, plow point shelters, trench fires, simple food and writing a diary. The video is not an historic reenactment per se, for it demonstrates traditional methods, using modern materials.

Videography by Ken Kramm, filmed in east Texas, January 2014; Canon Vixia HF G10, Final Cut Pro X. Thanks to the Textile Ranger at http://textileranger.com, Rex at Jazzbanjorex for recording a rendition of "Goober Peas" for the video (   • Goober Peas, Civil War Song, Public D...  ) and the entire Youtube community for ideas, suggestions and gifts that were used in this video. "Buffalo Gals" and "Hot Time in the Old Town" by The Heftone Banjo Banjo Orchestra are licensed under a Creative Commons Share Alike License, http://heftone.com/orchestra/ta-ra-ra.... They were used with permission from Brian Hefferan.