When portraying a Revolutionary period soldier or civilian, special care should be taken when choosing a blanket. Whether displayed in a home or camp, carried in a backpack or used for a blanket roll or sling, the blanket is quite obviously seen so the proper color and pattern is important. This article will give an overview of blanket term and styles to show the variety which existed in the Continental Army. Unlike the European armies involved in the war, there is no "typical" style of blanket for American soldiers. Those wishing to achieve an accurate portrayal should make a considered decision based on available information.
Materials, Styles, and Terminology
Blankets were made of wool, linen, or the mixed cloth linsey-woolsey, and came in a variety of colors and patterns. Most were white or off-white; other colors were black, yellow, blue, red, brown, orange and green. Striped and checked blankets were also common. Locally manufactured blankets were issued to the troops at various times during the war, usually as a result of the donation by, or confiscation from, local civilians. For those who really wish to adhere to authenticity, all American-made blankets of the period had a center seam, this being the point at which the two pieces of woven wool or linen were sewn together to make a full-sized blanket. There was no large-scale American wool manufactory, and domestic looms produced only narrow cloth, though due to the lack of standardization the parameters vary.
