Camplife during the Civil War - Camping Community

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Camp Life: Civil War Collections from Gettysburg NMP

Enlisted men, unlike their officers, had to carry all their belongings on their back. On long marches men were unwilling to carry more than the absolute essentials. Even so, soldiers ended up carrying about 30 to 40 pounds.
Each soldier was issued half of a tent. It was designed to join with another soldier's half to make a full size tent. The odd man lost out. The shelter halves were so useful that they were used after the war. As a result, very few remain today.

When suitable wooden poles were not available for tent supports, soldiers would sometimes use their weapons.

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