Quills, Ink, Pounce and Paper
Writing quill pens were often called “Dutch Quills” as requested by Thomas Hutchins (these often had the feather removed and were cut to about six inches in length).
Inks of the 18th Century consisted of solid pigment, such as carbon black, which was ground into a powder, and mixed with water and other liquids to help it stick to the papyrus or paper. Other inks were mixtures of oak gall and black iron oxide which tend to fade over time.
Pounce was used when writing with a quill or nib. After writing, fine sand that was place in a container called a pounce box would be sprinkled over the ink in order to absorb any excess liquid. The excess pounce would be brushed off, which prevented the ink from smearing on the paper.
Paper manufactured in the 18th Century typically consisted of recycled fibers from used textiles called rags. The rags were from hemp, linen and cotton. The paper was manufactured by initially having individuals known as “ragpickers” collected old rags and clothing from homes and businesses. The rags were subsequently sorted by color and fabric, cleaned, and cut into smaller pieces. They were then washed in bleach to make them uniformly white. Afterwards white rags were macerated to create a pulp of long fibers and pressed into paper. After the pressing the paper was dried on racks or in cylinders.
PLEASE BE PATIENT AS WE ARE UPDATING OUR WEBSITE FOR 2025!
The Recreated unit
The mission of the Department of the Geographer is to accurately portray a working interpretation of the Department during the period from 1777 to 1783 with the express goal of portraying the world of the Continental Army staff officer better than has been achieved to date.
The Department of the Geographer is different in appearance and attitude than much of the Revolutionary War living history community. This is for a purpose. Other units make certain concessions to authenticity or may define themselves as “family organizations,” wherein membership quantity is paramount to quality. We do not. We define ourselves as a military organization in that we represent a staff department of Washington’s headquarters and we do our best to act like officers and soldiers on duty. During duty hours, we follow proper military protocols and soldiers are expected to live a soldier’s life. Our clothing is typically hand-finished and the materials all linen and wool, like what the men of the Continental Army would have worn. Our camp is functional, but not over-furnished. The purpose is present a faithful representation of what life in the Continental Army was like to those who hope to learn from the events we attend, but also that we may have a deeper appreciation for the lives of the men we say we represent.
This sort of living history is not for everyone. There are high expectations on all members, but they are quite attainable, and for those who do, very rewarding. You will have the satisfaction knowing that you are at the peak of the living history experience, not only educating the general public, but yourself as well. There is a gratifying feeling knowing that you know what you are doing, you are doing right, and you will soon find that you will be eager to continue to push the envelope. Along with this, you will find camaraderie among those around you. To those willing to take up the challenge, we welcome you.
History of the unit
By the summer of 1777, George Washington had identified a definite weakness in the Army’s ability to produce adequate topographical data in order to plan and execute theater operations. In July of that year, Washington wrote to Congress, “A good geographer to Survey the Roads and take Sketches of the Country where the Army is to Act would be extremely useful… …I would beg leave to recommend Mr. Robt. Erskine…”
Research
Research is an important aspect of the Department of the Geographer. Some of that may be found here. This part of the site is currently under development.
FAQ
Frequently asked questions about our unit are answered here. If you have any other questions or inquiries, feel free to contact us.
