Knapsack

a rough leather or canvas bag, which is strapped to an infantry soldier’s back when he marches, and which contains his nece aries. Square knapsacks are supposed to be most convenient. They should be made with a division to hold the shoes, blacking-balls, and brushes, separate from the linen. White goat skins are sometimes used, but we do not conceive them to be equal to the painted canvas ones. Soldiers are put under stoppages for the payment of their knapsacks, which after five years, become their property. See list of nece aries, according to the last regulations, under the article Nece aries.