Kepi

Kepi

Similar to the forage cap, the kepi was a copy of the French officer's hat. The crown could be colored, usually for the branch of service of the wearer. The kepi was shorter than the forage cap, and was not very popular because it did not protect from the rain or sun like the slouch hat.

Knapsack

Knapsack

Knapsacks were initially issued to all infantrymen and other soldiers who habitually served on foot. Soldiers carried many of their belongings and supplies inside the knapsack. The majority of knapsacks were made of cotton cloth painted black or coated with some preparation of this color which rendered them waterproof. The longer a soldier served, the less he learned that he needed to keep in his knapsack.