Sand bags -- When were they first used as a defensive item. (1 Viewer)

[Larry Allen]

I think this is the correct category to post this question???

I was pondering :rolleyes2: my AWI / FIW / 1812 diorama projecst and making a list of items that I needed to build or buy (trees, buildings, mats, forts and such). Living in the woods, a great number of pieces will be constructed of material right out of my back yard.

Then I got to wondering about sandbags, used as a defensive wall (or such). I can find multiple photos and drawings of sand bags being used in the (US) Civil War, but nothing much mentioned about earlier times and conflicts. Anyone have a guess (or facts) about when they were first used?

 

[UKReb]

I think this is the correct category to post this question???

I was pondering :rolleyes2: my AWI / FIW / 1812 diorama projecst and making a list of items that I needed to build or buy (trees, buildings, mats, forts and such). Living in the woods, a great number of pieces will be constructed of material right out of my back yard.

Then I got to wondering about sandbags, used as a defensive wall (or such). I can find multiple photos and drawings of sand bags being used in the (US) Civil War, but nothing much mentioned about earlier times and conflicts. Anyone have a guess (or facts) about when they were first used?

Good question and I don't actually know but a near enough historical fact is at The Battle of Bushy Run in 1763 during Pontiac's Rebellion in Pennsylvania-English regulars built fortifications from Flour bags rather than dig earthworks.

And of course burlap bags full of earth or clay had been used to prevent weakened levees overtopping since the time of the early colonial settlers.

Reb

 

[Larry Allen]

Good question and I don't actually know but a near enough historical fact is at The Battle of Bushy Run in 1763 during Pontiac's Rebellion in Pennsylvania-English regulars built fortifications from Flour bags rather than dig earthworks.

And of course burlap bags full of earth or clay had been used to prevent weakened levees overtopping since the time of the early colonial settlers.

Reb

WOW ... earlier than I have found so far .... THANK YOU!

On one web link I found, the issues of "cost of the material, (i.e. woven bags)” might have been prohibitive, so they would have never used such a item at that time. Especially out in remote areas of the wilderness were most of the fighting actually took. (But that was just his opinion.)

Hummmmm ……. then the “old foam” Civil war diorama pieces I have might just work, with a little modification here and there of course. Thanks!!!