TENTS
2/95th (Rifle) Regiment of Foot

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LT Roy Taylor and Rfn David Sadler

During the Napoleonic campaigns, tents were not widely issued to British troops in the field until 1813 - tents were used by troops in garrison but were too heavy to be carried in large numbers by over-stretched baggage trains. Light weight tents were introduced as part of wide-ranging logistics and health services reforms ordered by Wellington. The Light Division was likely a test bed for light weight tents - Simmons reports getting them in 1810, and we know from the Duke's despatches that he tested other equipment in the Light Division because he could trust Craufurd's men not to throw the gear away.

Standardisation was a novel concept in the Napoleonic period so generalisations are just that. Nevertheless, in contemporary prints, the basic "A" frame or wedge tent is the most common shelter depicted, especially in non-British armies. However, the diaries of Private Wheeler and others indicate that bell tents housed the vast majority of British soldiers lucky enough to have a canvas shelter. Other styles of tents were a minority.

The wedge tent is shown with a variety of modifications although not with a vertical lower wall section like modern tents. They were typically about seven feet along the ridge, but belled end(s) and flysheets on the more up market versions extended the useful floor area.

Bell tents are often shown with no vertical wall sections, but an otherwise accurate contemporary sketch of the siege at San Sebastian in 1813 shows bell tents with vertical walls (confusion is generated by the "bell of arms" tent - a conical tent designed to store arms). Nevertheless, both types were probably used although standard British issue by 1813 likely had vertical lower walls, a nine foot pole, and a diameter of about 12 feet. LT Wheatly's sketch of his King's German Legion camp in 1814 gives an impression of a battalion camp lay-out.

The British army used white canvas for their issued tents, but this would have been much less white than modern, bleached canvas. Canvas tends to go grey naturally. And many civilian, if not military, tents were waterproofed with pine tar that would have made them a golden colour. Some tents of camp followers would have been made of used sailcloth that came in a variety of basic colours eg red. All issue tents probably had a unit number painted on them to discourage theft if for no other reason. Poles not cut from local timber were usually painted grey.

Tents were all hand-sewn, and would have a patchwork look compared to modern examples because canvas of the period came in rolls about 27 inches wide. At least some had a rope sewn around the lower hem to add strength, and rope loops for wooden pegs were also sewn to the hem - in fact, just above the hem to ensure the hem rested on the ground. Rope was hemp or Manila. Grommets were made by sewing pieces of leather to the canvas with a hole through the lot, or a buttonhole stitch around the hole, sometimes reinforced with extra layers of canvas or a brass ring. Or, as Sail-makers often did, braid a small circle of rope around the hole and buttonhole stitch it. Brass eyelets were not in general use until about the 1850s.

So what should the re-enactor aim for? Any of the basic shapes are correct, so family requirements for space should dictate preference. The key issues are to have white(ish) canvas (Army issue standard) and to avoid obvious anachronisms like brass eyelets and metal poles. Hand sewing of 27 inch wide canvas sheets is too costly to contemplate - much better to spend the money on accessories to give your tent an authentic air.

CPL Kemel has recent experience in buying a tent, and he would be a useful starting point for advice on sources of supply in Australia.

Wedge tent with belled ends (and who left the plastic bag there?)
 
 

This page is owned by David Sadler who can be contacted at:   c-d-s-a-d-l-e-r(at)webone.com.au (without the dashes)