The Knapsack
There were at least two distinct styles of knapsacks carried by British soldiers during the course of the American Rebellion. Early in the war, Colonels commonly provided their men with goatskin knapsacks. By the middle of the war, it is believed that the army was largely switching over to a less expensive pattern made of heavy linen and often painted for waterproofing. Helyar's company uses a pack based off of a knapsack preserved in the Isaac Royal House collection in Medford, MA.
An open knapsack along with everything carried inside. (clockwise) Wool fatigue cap rests on the issued blanket, a privately purchased neckcloth on the open knapsack, brushes for cleaning an polishing leather, white ball, black ball, tow, brick dust, extra pair of stickings, shoe soles and heels, white linen shirt, blue and white check linen fatigue shirt, horsehair neckstock with clean false collar attached, 2 extra false collars, and a blanket sling.