Civil War knapsack carried by Private Charles D. Bingham, an artilleryman of the ‘M’ Battery, 3rd New York Light Artillery. The typical Federal knapsack is constructed with a square pinewood interior frame measuring 14 x 14 x 4 covered with a medium-weight canvas made waterproof with a black tar coating painted on the exterior. The large inner compartment is open and undivided, with four angled flaps secured by leather straps and buckles used to protect the contents. A large outer flap folds over the entire knapsack and can be fastened to the body with three leather straps with brass buckles. The portion covering the top of the frame is labeled inside: “C. D. Bingham, 3rd N. Y. Arty.” This outer covering also has a large pocket inside, which is labeled on the inner flap in ink: “Chas. D. Bingham, 3rd N. Y. V. Arty.” The opposing side of the knapsack has wide leather shoulder straps ending in brass buckles and adjustment hooks. In very good condition, with a few leather straps fatigued and detached from the body, and moderate cracking and flaking to the straps remaining attached. When he enlisted on September 5, 1864, Bingham was an 18-year-old farmer living in Carthage, Jefferson County, New York. He served in the artillery brigade of the 18th Army Corps through the end of the war until being mustered out on June 26, 1865. Accompanied by photocopies of Bingham’s extensive military and pension records. Provenance: The Horse Soldier.
