1

Accouterments of militia soldiers on the eve of the Revolutionary War:

Powder horns and shot pouches
Herman Karl
"...various early forms of gunpowder containers [in the sixteenth and
seventeenth century] evolved from the use of bone, wood, leather and metal into the
simplest holder of all, which was a powder container made from a cow's horn. Later, in
the eighteenth century, individual charges for the military were made with gunpowder
wrapped in paper and carried in a cartridge box. But because cow horns were cheap and
were easily fashioned into powder horns, they became the dominant container, with
records of use as early as the seventeenth century...The use of cow horn as a powder
container predominated in America from the early eighteenth century into the middle of
the nineteenth century because horn was readily available and created a strong and
waterproof container for gunpowder and, fortunately, a surface on which to record its
history."1
This essay focuses on the use of powder horns and shot pouches (bags) by militia
and minute companies on the eve of and early in the Revolutionary War (see footnote 2
for a discussion of the use of small horns). 2 There is a great deal of documentary and
artifact evidence that demonstrate that horns and pouches were common on the eve and
during the early years of the war.
First, let's briefly examine the prevalence of powder horns and shot pouches
among provincial soldiers prior to the Revolution in the French & Indian War. George
Washington was a colonel of the provincial militia and his correspondence contains
numerous references to powder horns and shot pouches. A few examples are presented
below.
"I desire you will have all your command provided with powder-horns and shot-bags...."3
"...I am informed that there will not be powder-horns &c. enough for the New
Regiment."4
"I desire you will take care to have each man of your command furnished with powderhorns and shot-bags. Let the Officers know I shall look to them if this Order is
neglected."5
"I have us'd my best endeavours to get my Men equip'd with Powder Horns and Shott
Pouches, and have procur'd 330 of the former, and 339 of the latter; besides the Linnen
ones, with which we are compleated."6

From Grinslade (2007, 5):

Although gunpowder in the eighteenth century was carried mainly in powder horns by
the American soldiers, they also used paper cartridges. There is an interesting entry in
Henry Bouquet's [a British colonel] correspondence, from volume two of his papers,
during the start of the expedition to Fort Dusquense with reference to paper cartridges.
From Ft. Loudon on June 14, 1758, he writes, 'I have noticed a great inconvenience in the
use of cartridge boxes for the provincial troops. They do not know how to make
cartridges, or rather they take too much time. In the woods, they seldom have time or
places suitable to make them. These cartridge boxes hold only 9 charges, some twelve,

2
which is not sufficient. I think that their powder hornes and pouches for carrying bullets
would be more useful, keeping the cartridge box, however, to use in case of a sudden
night attack.' This letter from Bouquet to Forbes [a British general] indicates that powder
horns were the dominate form of providing gunpowder to the provincial troops.'7

Powder horns and shot pouches were staples of the accouterments carried by American
militia units.8 Moreover, "The use of loose powder and ball, the former carried in a
powder horn, was widespread in British service in America, especially amongst locally
raised troops including militia, Provincial battalions, light infantry, and ranger
companies.9
Decorated powder horns became "fashionable" during the "F&I War (FIG. 1).10
Soldiers would commission professionals to inscribe a horn as a memento of their service

Figure 1. Three contemporary representative decorated horns. Top: Horn by Randy Spenger. The
inscribed date 1746 is during the mid-point of King Georges War, the third of four French and
Indian Wars. A powder carved from an antler is below the horn. Middle: Horn by Scott and Cathy
Sibley with scenes of Boston, Charlestown, various landmarks, and figures, which could
representative of those horns carved during the Siege of Boston. Bottom: Horn by Scott Sibley and
engraved by Cathy Sibley. The author commissioned this horn with his name inscribed and scenes
of Battle Road and Lincoln town to commemorate 19 April 1775.

during a long stay at a fort or encampment (FIGS. 2-5). The many powder horns in
museums and private collections11 evince the widespread use of powder horns not only
during the French and Indian War but also Revolutionary War.12 During the siege of

Figure 2.Detail of top horn in figure 1

Figure 3. Detail of top horn in figure 1

Boston so many horns were produced as to be second only to the number made during the
French and Indian War.13 This large number of horns resulted in the designation of a
separate school of hornsthe Siege of Boston School (FIG. 6).14 An account of the Battle
of Bunker Hill testifies to the use of powder horns and the paucity of cartridge boxes.
"Every man was immediately supplied with two flints, and a gill of powder with fifteen
balls to form into cartridges, but nearly all of them were destitute of cartridge boxes,
employing powder-horns only; and scarcely any two of their guns agreeing in calibre, they
were obliged to hammer their balls to a proper size for the pieces."15

Figure 4. Detail of bottom horn in figure 1

Figure 5. Detail of bottom horn in figure 1

The vast majority of surviving horns from the French & Indian and Revolutionary Wars
were undecorated and poorly inscribed (FIGS. 7-9).16 In addition to the surviving horns,
countless plain utilitarian horns were undoubtedly lost and discarded over time
It should not be surprising that citizen soldiers accustomed to using horns and
pouches in military service in a major conflict prior to the Revolution would continue to
do so on the eve of and during the Revolutionary War (FIGS. 10-14). As shown in the
examples below militia and minutemen were required to equip themselves with powder
and ball.17 That these resolves do not mention specifically a powder horn is addressed later
in the essay.
"Militia minutemen [who were to] hold themselves in readiness at a minutes warning,

5
compleat in arms and ammunition; that is to say a good and sufficient firelock, bayonet,
thirty rounds of powder and ball, pouch and knapsack." (Town of Roxbury Resolves,
December 26, 1774.)
The Town of Braintree required each soldier to furnish himself with a good fire
lock, bayonett, cartouch box, one pound of powder, twenty-four balls to fitt their guns,
twelve flints and a knapsack. (Town of Braintree Resolves, January 23, 1775.)
The Third Bristol County Militia Regiment wanted their men to have the following at
muster: "a good firearm with steel or iron ramrod, and spring to retain the same, a worm,
priming wire and brush, and a bayonet fitted to his gun, a tomahawk or hatchet, a pouch
containing a cartridge box that will hold fifteen rounds of cartridges at least, a hundred of
buckshot, a jack knife, and tow for wadding, six flints, one pound of powder, forty
leaden balls fitted to his gun, a knapsack and blanket, a canteen or wooden bottle sufficient
to hold one quart. (Continental Journal and weekly adviser, January 22, 1778)

The recollection of Amos Baker, the last surviving soldier at the Concord battle, is
interesting:
The British had got up two of the planks to the bridge. It is a mercy that they fired
on us at the bridge, for we were going to march into the town, and the British could load
and fire three times to our once, because we had only powder-horns and not cartridge
boxes, and it would have been presumptuous.18

Baker's statement that the Lincoln contingent lacked cartridge boxes and had powder
horns19 (noting the disadvantage at which that put them) is specific and in accord with 19th
century accounts of that day. 20

Figure 6. Detail of middle horn in figure 1

Figure 7. An example of a crudely decorated original horn ca. late 18th century, inscribed
Lt. Thomas Hazen, Shirley, Mass., 1775 (see footnote 11 for an explanation of the history
of the horn).

Figure 8. Detail of the engraving on the Hazen horn

Figure 9. Detail of the engraving on the Hazen horn shown in figure 8

Minutemen that had cartridge boxes also would likely carry powder horns and shot
pouches. After all, how would one carry forty leaden balls, a hundred buckshot, and a
pound of powder?21 Loose balls and powder would not be carried in a pocket,22 but in the
items designed to carry thema shot pouch and powder horn.23 This was so evident to the
soldier that it was unnecessary and superfluous to specify a horn and pouch.24 It would be
analogous to explaining why one eats soup with a spoon instead of a fork. The pouch
contained all the items necessary to fire and maintain the musket (FIGS. 11, 12). A
powder horn and shot pouch were essential accessories for any musket, fowler, or rifle;
they were staples of the standard shooting kit just as they are for the contemporary
muzzleloader shooter.25 The unusual item for the citizen solider was a cartridge box; its
only use was military.
Why would ball and powder be stipulated in addition to cartridges and a cartridge
box? Typically cartridge boxes held from nine to thirty rounds. Unless a soldier did not
have a cartridge box he would have used cartridges to charge his musket during battle, as

Figure 10. These four contemporary horns illustrate the range in sizes that would be used for
different purposes.. The largest horn, holding up to a pound of powder, would be used on extended
campaigns. The smallest horn, which would be used as priming horn, is goat. The top and bottom
horns would hold enough powder of a days hunt.

Amos Baker noted using a powder horn and ball to load was time consuming and a
disadvantage during volley fire. The balls and powder carried in the pouches and horns
might have been used to make cartridges to replace those used during battle. Horns are
ideal powder storage containers; they are tough and elastic and when constructed well
waterproof. In contrast, cartridges are fragile and easily damaged. Cartridge boxes are not
waterproof and hardly water resistant. Indeed, the poor quality of cartridge boxes was a
major concern of General Washington and horns were used to store cartridges to protect
them from water damage.26

Figure 11. A contemporary pouch that is likely a style carried by an eastern Masschusetts
farmer and militia soldier.

Figure 12. A contemporary pouch that is likely a style carried by the southern and middle
province frontier riflemen that reinforced the soldiers surrounding Boston such as those in
Daniel Morgans Virginia company. A small bag axe is attached to the back and a
priming horn to the strap in the front.

Owing to the scarcity of cartridge boxes (and other unspecified accouterments)

among New England soldiers encamped at Cambridge in February 1776, General
Washington directed on the 16th that powder horns and shot pouches be issued to them.27
The General is surprised to find the Militia applying for Cartouch Boxes and other
Accoutrements, when he had not a doubt, but they would have come compleatly equipt-As the case however is otherwise, he directs that they should be served with Powder-horns
and Shot pouches, in lieu of Cartouch Boxes, and that every thing which is delivered to
them be charged to the Regiment that received it, that it may be redelivered, or paid for at
the expiration of the term for which they stand engaged, and to this the Qr. Mr. Genl. and

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Commissary of Stores, are to give particular Attention, without further direction upon this
head.

And on the 15th, he directed that shot pouches be issued to those that need them.28
Such of the Regiments as are in want of Leather Shot-bags with Straps, to hold Ball and
Buck-Shot, may have them by applying to the Adjutant-General; it is intended that every
Non-Commissioned Officer and Soldier by supplied.

The examples below demonstrate that lack of cartridge boxes continued to be a problem
and necessitated the distribution of powder horns and shot pouches.
As there are not spare cartouch boxes at this time [Oct. 13, 1777], to supply the militia,
Col. Crawford is desired to use his utmost skill and industry to procure horns and pouches
to carry their ammunition in, or to adopt any other method, he may, upon consulting his
29
officers, find more expeditious.
Sir: I wish to know, how many horns have been delivered to your department in
consequence of the general orders for that purpose; and that you would take measures to
have a sufficient number of them converted into the common powder flasks for the
30
proposed expedition. (April 5, 1779)

No battles in New England were fought between American militia and minute
companies and opposing British regulars in open field and large-scale linear formation
combat during the first year of the war. American troops employed tactics that enabled
them to fight behind cover that included stonewalls, trees, buildings, and fortifications,
which they learned fighting Indians for decades and during the French and Indian War.
They employed this tactic chasing and harassing the King's troops from Concord and
Lexington to Boston along what is now known as Battle Road and at the battle of Bunker
Hill. Fighting in this way mitigated, and possibly obviated, the need for cartridges and
cartridge boxes. The longer time it took to load using a powder horn and loose ball from a
pouch was not necessarily a disadvantage when protected by cover of some sort. Later in
the war when battles were fought in linear formation loading with cartridges from a
cartridge box would be decidedly preferable to loading using a horn and pouch.
Clearly, powder horns and shot pouches were widespread throughout the militia
and Continental Line being essential items for carrying powder, ball and buckshot and
used throughout the Revolutionary War.31 However, the use of horns declined during the
second half of the war with the increasing supply of cartridge boxes (Guthman, 1993,
35).32 Even so, horns and pouches continued to be part of militia accouterments a decade
after the war ended as stipulated in the Militia Act of 1792.33 Because the powder horn is
the ideal container for loose black powder, it has continued in use from the seventeenth
century until today.
For re-enactors impersonating militiamen and minutemen on the eve of April 19,
1775 and during the first two years of the war powder horns and shot pouches are
appropriate accouterments.34

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Notes

1
T. Grinslade, Powder horns: documents of history (Scurlock Publishing Company, Texarkana, Texas,
2007), 1, 3.
Owing to the different grades of black powder available today, most muzzleloader shooters carry two
hornsa large horn that contains the coarser main charge powder and a much smaller horn that contains
FFFFG powder used for priming.
D. W. Bailey, Small arms of the British forces in America 1664-1815 (Andrew Mowbray, Inc., Publishers,
Woonsocket, R.I., 2009), 260.
Documentation suggests that priming horns were used in the 18th century. One of the earliest specific
references to a priming horn occurs in the description written by George Scott, the ranger captain,
concerning a unit in wished to raise [in 1758]The priming-horn is intended to be filled with Pistol
powder, and the Ranger always to prime from it in time of action.
T.J. Todish, Myths, truths, & half-truths explained: a look at training with, and the use, care and capabilities
of, military firearms in colonial and revolutionary America Part II. (Muzzleloader, January-February, 2014),
66.
Todish notes: Small priming horns were issued to British soldiers as early as 1680s, but their use declined
with the adaptation of the pre-made paper cartridge. Even then, loading with loose powder from a larger
horn was common especially among the Rangers, Light infantry, Provincials, and local militia companies.
He goes on to cite the Scott quote above.
Priming horns suggest that different granulations of powder were available in the 18th century, although I
have not found nor others (e.g., Todish, 2014, 63) specific information on the grades of powder. Period
documents indicate that a grading system did exist. A November 6, 1750 entry in the Executive Journals of
the Council of Virginia records a request that: the Receiver General send from England five Hundred
Muskets (to be markt with Virginia 1750) Bayonets and Catouch Boxes of the best sort, Thirty Barrels of
Cannon Powder, and Ten of Single F Two Tons of Musket Ball, and Ten Thousand Flints (Todish, 2014,
63).
M. de Marolles, An essay on shooting. Containing the various methods of forging, boring, and dressing gun
barrels London, printed for T. Cadell, in the Strand, Ecco Print Edition, 1789), 169.
Other documentation that different grades of powder existed in the 18th century include, The various kinds
of powder used in England, are so well known, that they need not be enumerated here. Our experience,
however, induces us to recommend with confidence Herveys battle powder, as being superior to every other
we have met with.
There still is some controversy as to whether priming horns were routinely used. Peter Alexander, a noted
contemporary longrifle builder, believes that the existing small horns from the period were used as day
hornsholding only enough powder for a days hunt (email communication, September 14, 2009). His
rationale is that FFG may have been the finest grade of powder available and that it made no sense to carry a
small priming horn when the grade of powder carried in the large horn could be used for priming.

Two examples of priming horns of small day horns; the lower horn is goat and the upper horn cow.
George Washington to David Bell, September 6, 1756

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11

http://memory.loc.gov/cgi-bin/query/r?ammem/mgw:@field(DOCID+@lit(gw010380))
4
George Washington to Adam Stephen, May 24, 1758
http://memory.loc.gov/cgi-bin/query/r?ammem/mgw:@field(DOCID+@lit(gw020134))
5 George Washington to Thomas Waggoner, September 6, 1756
http://memory.loc.gov/cgi-bin/query/r?ammem/mgw:@field(DOCID+@lit(gw010379))
6

George Washington to Henry Bouquet, July 3, 1758

http://memory.loc.gov/cgi-bin/query/r?ammem/mgw:@field(DOCID+@lit(gw020154))
7
T. Grinslade, Powder horns: documents of history (Scurlock Publishing Company, Texarkana, Texas,
2007), 5.
8
W.H. Guthman, Drums a'beating, trumpets sounding: artistically carved in the provincial manner, 17461781 (Hartford Historical Society, Hartford, Connecticut, 1993), 24.
Commenting on the Provincial troops that supplemented the regular British regiments during the series of
North America wars preceding the Revolution Guthman states "One essential item usually not available to
Provincial troops was the cartridge box.... Provincial soldiers relied on hollowed-out cow's-horn containers
to carry powder with which they made their own cartridges. These were the most popular powder carriers on
the frontier.
9
D. W. Bailey, Small arms of the British forces in America 1664-1815 (Andrew Mowbray, Inc., Publishers,
Woonsocket, R.I., 2009), 260, 261.
"When a light infantry company was Established for each line regiment in the British army in 1771, part of
their new equipment included a powder horn on a shoulder strap, a ball bag, waistbelt and tomahawk. This
is the same equipment stipulated in many resolves that established minute companies.
10
J. Dressler, The engraved powder horn: folk art of early America (Dressler Publishing Company,
Bargersville, IN, 1996), xi; Fig. 1
11
Email communication with Steve McCarthy, Jan. 30, 2013.
I have in my collection an original powder horn crudely inscribed "Lieut. Thomas Hazen His Horn 1775,
Shirley Mass." Research by Steve McCarthy, former Captain Lincoln Minute Men, suggests that the date
reflects Hazen's birth and not the time the horn was used. "This Thomas died November 2, 1856, Aet. 81 yrs.
7 mos. 22 days. Hence he was born March 11, 1775. ... My solution is as follows. Lieut. Thomas Hazen of
Shirley served in a military unit, given his rank, perhaps a local militia in existence after the Revolution.
While serving(?), he carved himself a powder horn with his birthplace on it, and also the famous year in
which he was BORN 1775.
12
G. Thompson, Historical military powder-horns (Harrisburg Publishing Company, 1901).
M. Grant, Powder horns and their architecture (Published by Madison Grant, 1987).
G.C. Neumann, and F.J. Kravic, Collector's illustrated encyclopedia of the American Revolution (Rebel
Publishing Co., Inc., Texarkana, Texas, 1989), 149-155.
W.H. Guthman, Drums a'beating, trumpets sounding: artistically carved in the provincial manner, 17461781 (Hartford Historical Society, Hartford, Connecticut, 1993).
J. Dressler, The engraved powder horn: folk art of early America (Dressler Publishing Company,
Bargersville, IN, 1996).
13
T. Grinslade, Powder horns: documents of history (Scurlock Publishing Company, Texarkana, Texas,
2007), 83.
14
W.H. Guthman, Drums a'beating, trumpets sounding: artistically carved in the provincial manner, 17461781 (Hartford Historical Society, Hartford, Connecticut, 1993).
The William Guthman Collection is housed at Flynt Center of Early New England Life, Deerfield, MA.
15
S. Swett, History of Bunker Hill battle, with a plan (Third edition, Munroe and Francis, Boston: 1827),
25.
16
W.H. Guthman, Drums a'beating, trumpets sounding: artistically carved in the provincial manner, 17461781 (Hartford Historical Society, Hartford, Connecticut, 1993), 25.
Guthman "...estimate[s] that eighty percent of the horns that survive from the French and Indian War and the
Revolution are undecorated or crudely carved, amateurish, and stereotyped.
17 A.R. Cain, An overview of pre-Revolutionary War cartridge box round dimensions

11

12

(http://www.18cnewenglandlife.org/18cnel/equipment_of_mass_militia.htm; viewed online September 15,
2013).
These were selected from those listed by Cain (online) because they have a provenance and are dated to the
period considered herein.
18
F.W. Hersey, Heroes of the battle road: an narrative of events in Lincoln on the 18th and 19th of April
1775, wherein are set forth the capture of Paul Revere, escape of Samuel Prescott, heroism of Mary
Hartwell and other stirring incidents (Perry Walton, Boston: 1930, reprinted for the Lincoln Historical
Society 2010), 35.
19
Email communication with Joel Bohy, Feb. 4, 2013.
At least two Lincoln minutemen possessed powder horns, but it is not known if they carried them on April
19. "I have seen another powder horn (other than the J.Hartwell horn on display at the visitor center) with a
provenance of being carried by Samuel Dakin from Lincoln. Its smaller than normal, but plain with no
carving other than his initials on the wooden plug. I wonder if some of the companies carried both a horn
and pouch"
20
J. Adams, Letter to Lemuel Shattuck, Esq. of Boston from Josiah Adams, Esq. of Framingham in
vindication of the claims of Capt. Isaac Davis, of Acton, to his just share in the honors of the Concord fight.
Also, depositions of witnesses, stating the facts on which the claims are founded, and other interesting
papers (Damrell & Moore, printers, 16 Devonshire Street, Boston:1850), 15, 24.
"'[James Hayward] left his father's house in the westerly part of Acton, on the morning of the 19th of April,
1775 with one pound of powder, and forty balls....The ball of his enemy passed through the lower part of his
powder-horn, driving the splinters into his body'" (Adams, 1850, 24). The Hayward powder horn is at the
Acton Memorial Library. The narrative of that day can be viewed at
http://www.actonmemoriallibrary.org/civilwar/Exhibit/Audio/PDFs/1-3_Hayward_deathbed.pdf
Another Acton minutemen also started toward Concord without a cartridge box and until obtaining one must
have been carrying powder in a horn and balls in a pouch: "'I took my equipments, and proceeded to Capt.
Davis's home. I passed the house of the Rev. Mr. Smith. His son, Doctor Swift, made me a present of a
cartridge-box, as he saw I had none. I well remember that there was, on the outside, a piece of red cloth, in
the shape of a heart'" (Thomas Thorp's Deposition in Adams, 1850, 15).
21
W.H. Guthman, Drums a'beating, trumpets sounding: artistically carved in the provincial manner, 17461781 (Hartford Historical Society, Hartford, Connecticut, 1993), 30.
Many horns with a militia origin are large. A raw horn would need to be at least 16"-24" long to hold a
pound of powder, which is the amount specified in many resolves.
22
General Order Head Quarters, Newburgh, Thursday, July 4, 1782;
(http://memory.loc.gov/cgibin/ampage?collId=mgw3&fileName=mgw3g/gwpage006.db&recNum=176&tempFile=./temp/~ammem_D
iKS&filecode=mgw&next_filecode=mgw&prev_filecode=mgw&itemnum=8&ndocs=18).
"The General having observed inconveniency and loss of Ammunition to attend the practice of carrying
Cartridges loose or in bundles in the men's pocketts or in the bottoms of their Cartridge boxes, directs that
the troops carry about them no more ammunition than the number of cartridges their boxes are pierced for,
in general twenty Nine rounds, except when parties or Corps are ordered on a particular service detached
from their Ammunition Waggons."
23
D. W. Bailey, Small arms of the British forces in America 1664-1815 (Andrew Mowbray, Inc.,
Publishers, Woonsocket, R.I., 2009), 250.
Buckshot was commonly used by itself and with ball. This order given during the expedition against Fort
Dusquesne in 1758 as cited in Bailey is an example of the use of horn and pouch: '"30 Sept. 1758. Each Regt
is to provide themselves with Buck Shot. 11 Oct. Officers-commanding parties are always to see that their
Men draw their Charges return their Powder into their Powr Horns & the Ball & Buck Shot into their
pouches....'"
24
When a pouch is mentioned, such as in the Roxbury resolve, it possibly refers to a pouch to hold the wood
cartridge block "a pouch containing a cartridge box" as listed among the accouterments for the Third
Bristol County Militia Regiment. As stated the soldier would not have to be told to bring a pouch to carry
balls and buckshot.

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13

25
S. Fadala, Sam Fadala's muzzleloading notebook (Winchester Press, an imprint of New Century
Publishers, Inc., 1985), 154, 155.
M. Grant, Powder horns and their architecture (Published by Madison Grant, 1987)
W.H. Guthman, Drums a'beating, trumpets sounding: artistically carved in the provincial manner, 17461781 (Hartford Historical Society, Hartford, Connecticut, 1993)
J. Dressler, The engraved powder horn: folk art of early America (Dressler Publishing Company,
Bargersville, IN, 1996).
E. Bye, Flintlocks: a practical guide for their use and appreciation (National Muzzle Loading Rifle
Association, Friendship, Indiana, 2013), 123-127.
Muzzle Blasts (Official publication of the National Muzzle Loading Rifle Association, Friendship, Indiana),
various issues.
Muzzleloader (published bimonthly by Historical Enterprises, LLC, Catalian Springs, Tennessee), various
issues.
This is common knowledge and not debatable among black powder muzzle loading gun shooters. Citations
are provided for those who have no knowledge or experience in the subject.
26
George Washington to William Heath, June 23, 1777 http://memory.loc.gov/cgi
bin/ampage?collId=mgw3&fileName=mgw3b/gwpage003.db&recNum=301&tempFile=./temp/~ammem_X
frS&filecode=mgw&next_filecode=mgw&itemnum=1&ndocs=100.
"I have long found the ill effect of the Wretched Cartouch Boxes generally in use, and I am very glad to find
that Colo. Lee has found out a kind that will preserve the Ammunition; you will admit him to have them
made and I should be glad of one by way of pattern."
George Washington to Continental Congress War Board, October, 22, 1777 (http://memory.loc.gov/cgibin/query/P?mgw:7:./temp/~ammem_ex82::).
"I dont know how it would answer to make Cartouch Boxes of painted Canvass, instead of Leather, but I
fear it would not do, as I am pretty certain that after they had been wet once or twice and little worn, that
they would not turn rain. I would not wish to see a rash experiment tried upon an Accoutrement, on the
goodness of which our whole safety depends. If the wood of the Cartouch box is not intirely covered with
leather, it must be made of seasoned Oak or some hard Wood, for I am convinced, that poplar, of which they
are commonly made, would admit water very easily."
George Washington to Continental Congress War Board, March 6, 1778 (http://memory.loc.gov/cgibin/query/P?mgw:1:./temp/~ammem_NYeO::)
"The Cartouch Boxes made in this Country, are generally very bad, and I see little chance of their being
made Substantial and fit to turn the weather until we can bring our manufacture of leather to a greater
perfection; which is only to be done by letting it lay much longer in the Vats, than we can afford, under our
present wants. Military Accoutrements of the leather kind are said to come exceedingly cheap and good
from France, and I would therefore Suggest the propriety of ordering a quantity from thence, if it should not
have been already done. The Hides of the Cattle killed in the Army might then be in a manner totally applied
to procuring Shoes for them, by making contracts to exchange one for the other. Had not this method been
fallen upon, the Soldiers must have been rendered totally unfit for Service, as they could not get Supplied
upon any other Terms, but in a very small degree. I have very little doubt, but contracts of this kind may be
so extended, as to procure a constant Supply of good Shoes for the whole Army. This is a matter worthy of
the attention of the Board, as we have Suffered more for the want of Shoes than for any other Article [and
those imported from France affording little more than a days wear.]"
27 General Order, Head Quarters, Cambridge, February 16, 1776 (http://memory.loc.gov/cgibin/query/P?mgw:7:./temp/~ammem_XZmN::)
General Order Head Quarters, Towamensing, October 12, 1777
(http://memor.loc.gov/mss/mgw/mgw3g/002/272.jpg).
"For the better security of the ammunition, each brigade Quarter Master is early to morrow morning, to go
with ten ax men and five other men of his brigade, and collect with the utmost care and dispatch, all the
horns36 they can find at this, and the late encampments of the army, and immediately upon his return, report
the number he shall have collected." [Note 36: The use of cleaned-out cattle horns in which to store
cartridges was one of the devices adopted for obtaining waterproof cartridge boxes.]

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14

28

General Order, Head Quarters, Cambridge, February 15, 1776 (http://memory.loc.gov/cgibin/query/P?mgw:1:./temp/~ammem_sYIW::)

29
General Order, Head Quarters, Towamensing, October 13, 1777
(http://memory.loc.gov/cgibin/ampage?collId=mgw3&fileName=mgw3g/gwpage002.db&recNum=271&tempFile=./temp/~ammem_2
zjm&filecode=mgw&next_filecode=mgw&itemnum=1&ndocs=100)
30
George Washington to Nathanael Greene, Head Quarters, Middlebrook, April 5, 1779
(http://memory.loc.gov/cgi-bin/query/P?mgw:1:./temp/~ammem_NFmO::)
31 (George Mason to George Washington, February 6, 1775, with Plan for Militia
http://memory.loc.gov/cgi-bin/query/r?ammem/mgw:@field(DOCID+@lit(lw050054)))
No lesser a personage than George Mason recommended that American soldiers be equipped with horns and
pouches. "Inclosed you have a Copy of the plan I drew for embodying the people of this County; in which
you'll be pleased to make such Alterations as you think necessary. ... And we do Each of us, for ourselves
respectively, promise and engage to keep a good Firelock in proper Order, & to furnish Ourselves as soon as
possible with, & always keep by us, one Pound of Gun Powder, four Pounds of Lead, one Dozen Gun-Flints,
& a pair of Bullet-Moulds, with a Cartouch-Box, or powder-horn & Bag for Balls--"
32
W.H. Guthman, Drums a'beating, trumpets sounding: artistically carved in the provincial manner, 17461781 (Hartford Historical Society, Hartford, Connecticut, 1993), 35.
33
Militia Act of 1792, passed May 8, 1792, Article I.
"...or with a good rifle, knapsack, shot-pouch, and powder-horn, twenty balls suited to the bore of his rifle,
and a quarter of a pound of powder..."
34
Clearly re-enactors must use cartridges contained in cartridge boxes for safety purposes. Powder horns
(not filled with powder) add to the authenticity of the persona and shot pouches are handy to carry various
accessories and even a snack.

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