Blankets & Bedrolls in the Old West

I guess the people who disliked Didn’t get a good nights sleep

The dislikes are from the Pinkerton detective agency

Non-western fun fact: The bedroll slung over the shoulder and joined at the hip was referred to as "boudin" or "sausage" (because of the shape and grey color) in the French Foreign Legion, and became so associated with the Legion that its traditional marching song is "La Boudin."

Whenever I watch any of these videos I always wake up the next morning feeling great and so does my love for the wild west 🤠 including my appreciation of what I have today, because let's be honest who doesn't appreciate indoor plumbing 🚿🛁🚻🚽💩

If Dan took your line, then you should take his Swiss Cake Rolls.

I have used bedrolls for several years. I had 2 gray wool blankets and a Confederate oil cloth poncho. I used it while sleeping in Pitzer's Woods on the Gettysburg battlefield. Used my NC Depot shell jacket as a pillow. Did not have a tent. I really enjoy yours and Dan's interactions. Always good for a laugh.

I was just gifted a 20 yr old bison hide, I use it as my blanket. Whether I'm camping or at home. It's the most expensive blanket I've ever used

Great episode! Thanks.

That was very interesting. Thanks. I found the part about where they slept with a wagon of particular interest. During WW2 Allied tank crews would sleep either under the tank or on the engine deck, same as with the wagon. Technology may change but sometimes the solutions remain the same.

You're the best. Thank you for learning us about history.

😂Dan and the Swiss Rolls! What a dirty dog bringing those out of his backyard! Keep em coming Santee! -Nick 😃👍 Prescott, AZ

Thanks for a great video I can sleep anywhere the ground or my truck or my bed now I know all of the history of the bed rolls about the cowboy way of the good life 🤠

About three years ago, I started going to college in Northwest California. Beautiful area, truly, but treacherous. If you get lost hiking in the woods out in the Sequoia national forest, you could be in real danger. As such, I kept a 3 day emergency pack on me when I hiked. May have weighed a bit more than a typical hiking pack but I'm used to heavy weight on long matches. An evident fact if you look at my profile photo. My usual 3 day emergency kit contained a Walther P22 pistol, 50 rounds of high velocity ammunition with 3 magazines already loaded. 3 cans of sweet corn, a pound of jerky, a couple bricks of hardtack, a day of extra clothes, and a first aid kit. A Few MREs were packed on top from my old army days. Couple canteens on the side of my bag in Molle pouches, a Buck Intrepid XL on the front, and a Buck 110 in on my belt. All this was in the ruck sack I carried in the Army. Still have it to this day but have since swapped out the Walther for a Heritage Rough Rider and the Beef Jerky for Townsends instant soup in three Altoid tins. There were a few other odds and ends of course like waterproof matches, magnesium rod, and my sleeping bag strapped to the top of the bag. Can't believe I forgot to add those.

I like my old ranger roll we used when I was with the Marines. Poncho and poncho liner tied together and rolled up with some dry socks! Woobie!

I love having you as a resource for my students. My favorite time to teach is the Westward migration and the wild west. The kids are always stunned that the pioneers didn't sleep in the wagon and thag they walked and didn't ride. Oh and the fact that there were no bathrooms along the way also throws them. Lol.

Nothin' sweeter than a sleeping Rex, is 'ere?

As a Civil War reenactor, I stress the need for a good bedroll for my new privates. As we are an infantry company, I remind my guys that campaigning soldiers traveled at light as practicable and that every pound of gear was carefully considered before adding it to your roll. The Army issued troops a wool blanket, a gum blanket or poncho, a shelter half with stakes, and a wool greatcoat. Anything else was privately acquired. What I advise my new troops to get is the wool blanket [which weighs less than the greatcoat, is less expensive starting out, and is more utilitarian], a gum blanket [that is, the rubberized canvas sheet w/o the poncho slit], an extra shirt and pair of wool socks, a knitted sleeping cap and gloves. This may seem like a lot, but I'm in Washington State, where it's a bit colder and a lot rainier than most areas. Sleeping caps were common during the War, as it was recognized that most heat was lost through the head and kepis and brimmed hats don't work well when sleeping on the ground. When looking at woolens, get 100% wool, NOT wool blends! When you're using a corner of a blanket or a glove to grab that morning cup of coffee, you don't want the 70% rayon to melt on your fingers!

Excellent Santee. I reenact Civil War and have quite a collection of blankets and coverlet. Great info. 👍

Awesome as always

Nothin warmer than a buffalo robe. I bought one several years ago and discovered that sleeping under it helped the nerve damage in my legs.