In good overall condition, this identified Civil War artifact is an original, tarred-canvas and leather haversack typical of the accoutrements carried by officers, both Confederate and Federal, while they were in the field.

The Union soldier who carried this specimen was Lieutenant Colonel John L. Chandler of the 7th Regiment, Missouri Volunteer Cavalry, USA. The 7th MO was organized in February 1862 by consolidation of the 'Black Hawk Cavalry' an independent cavalry battalion from Illinois and unattached cavalry companies from Missouri. John Chandler enlisted in the 7th Missouri cavalry as a 1st Lieutenant and battalion adjutant on March 21, 1862 at the army post at Hudson, MO. He subsequently served with the unit in various operations including expeditions to Case County and Blackwater, Lone Jack, the occupation of Newtonia, Battle of Prairie Grove, Ark, operations against CS General Marmaduke, as well as operations against the infamous Confederate guerilla, William Clark Quantrell. At Pilot Knob, MO on February 20, 1863, Chandler was mustered out of the service to accept a commission as Lieutenant Colonel and by March 16, he was the commanding officer of the 7th MO cavalry. During its service, the 7th lost 4 officers and 55 enlisted soldiers. At Pine Bluff, Ark in late February 1865, the 7th was consolidated with the 1st Missouri Cavalry.

Very likely a private purchase, this large, machine-made haversack is constructed of black bridle leather on the exterior and canvas cloth on the interior. Both sides have been coated with black pitch or tar. The haversack is in good condition but it does suffer from scattered tears and rips and is missing its leather shoulder sling. Upper pouch body still retains one of the corresponding riveted-leather loops that held the sling. The large canvas pouch, narrow at the top and wider at the bottom, measures 24" long x 13" wide x 2" deep when fully opened. When closed, it measures 11½" long. One of the exterior pouch surfaces exhibits a fine, decorative embossed floral pattern centered on the leather while a double line of tight stitching skirts the entire edge of pouch. Opposite side of haversack is smooth and plain. It exhibits moderate cracking and crazing to the leather surfaces in scattered areas on the exterior. Missing is the haversack's leather shoulder sling. Haversack specimen has stitching that is frayed, loose and missing in areas, especially along the upper edges of the pockets.

When opened fully, the haversack exhibits two interior canvas pockets or pouches, one with a lid flap still with its original leather closure tab riveted in place and its corresponding metal roller buckle stamped "PATENTED / FEB. 18 / 1862". Underside of this flap lid shows a handwritten ID in black ink of "J L Chandler Lieut. Col 7th MO Cav." The interior canvas pocket is stiff and exhibits normal folds, creases and scaling. This canvas pocket is a made to accommodate a smaller, separate, cloth liner pocket that fits inside the interior pocket and secures via four tin buttons (1 button missing) sewn to the leather back. A 3" long x 1½" wide original section of the pouch's exterior riveted-leather tab that secured the sling has torn away but remains within the interior pocket. The other interior flap lid has completely detached from the pocket body and it also shows the handwritten ID "J. L. Chandler / Lieut. Col 7th Cav Mo Vols". Expandable leather edges of the haversack exhibit moderate cracking and crazing overall. No other markings are visible on the haversack.

The artifact comes with the officer's military records from the National Archives in Washington, DC. This identified wartime haversack, in good overall condition, is an honest and used specimen from the Civil War and would make an ideal addition to any soldier's personal display.