Ken R KNopp
07-05-2009, 10:01 PM
Folks,
The July issue of the Camp Chase features an exclusive article I wrote for them entitled. “Western Cavalry Equipped as Infantry? Or, When the Obvious isn’t so Obvious!”. The meat of the piece is what arms and accoutrements were found in the ranks of western cavalry during the war. The research comes from a significant amount of war time Confederate documentation, ala’ the Ordnance Inspection reports (found in the National Archives), which are contemporary and accurate sources (not post war myth, reminiscences or reenactorisms) for what was actually found in the ranks. For some of the folks that read this forum there will be some earth shattering surprises here especially when it comes to the types of weapons, accoutrements and their numbers or, average percentages to “effective men” in the field especially when it comes to pistols. I am quite certain it will cause some controversy but I am very hopeful that reenactor/historians will read it with an open mind and consider its merits and recommendations. I enclose some "out of context" excerpts below.
Of course, this is meant as a “teaser”. I hope you gents will pick up an issue and maybe even endeavor a subscription. Camp Chase has new leadership. They are making some big changes and doing a great job.
By the way, in the August Issue I have another piece entitled, “Was there a Chronic Shortage of Haversacks and Canteens Among Western CS Cavalry? Or, Was it a Shortage by “Choice”? Another in the works will address the arms and accoutrements in ANV cavalry. I will get some excerpts out on these at a future date.
Thank You!!
Ken R Knopp
www.confederatesaddles.com
EXCERPT 1:
Confederate cavalry in the west armed and equipped as infantry? As knowledgeable reenactor-“historians” we say, “Oh sure, that’s obvious. Forrest/Wheeler, mounted infantry....!” Yes? Well, then why do most cavalry reenactors NOT reflect this fact? Sadly, today’s common western cavalry reenactor thinks himself quite authentic with his saber and saber belt, carbine cartridge box, pistol box with extra cylinders, multiple pistols and Sharp’s carbine. However, the reality was quite different.
Throughout most of the war the majority of the arms and accoutrements used by western Confederate cavalrymen were simple infantry type issue. The historical record from the numerous Inspection Reports in the National Archives, clearly show a preponderance of rifles and muskets in the ranks including Austrian Lorenz, Mississippi’s, .69 Muskets, Enfield’s, Springfield’s, etc. and some shot guns. Perhaps of greater importance is that there are a relatively small number of carbines, very few pistols and never a mention of extra cylinders. As for accoutrements, very few “saber belts” are noted, few sabers in the record and no mention of pistol boxes at all. Interestingly, accoutrements are noted separately and include a large percentage of “cartridge box belts”. Which suggests that cartridge boxes were often attached NOT on the waist belt like cavalry accoutrements but carried slung over the shoulder via the cartridge box “belt”....like infantry! Here’s the data: ..................
EXCERPT 2:
.........After the remarkable success by Forrest at Brice’s Crossroads, the resulting capture of Federal arms and equipment certainly augmented supply to a great degree. For study, we turn to an inspection report of Rucker’s Brigade of Chalmer’s Division dated July 3rd, 1864 as a relative sample of what then might be typically found throughout Forrest’s Cavalry. 4. Consisting of 1,072 effective men from three regiments of Tennessee and Mississippi cavalry we find the following:
Arms: (1,018 total or 95% with long arms)
653 or 61% Infantry arms (Austrians, 69. Muskets, Enfield, Mississippi’s, and assorted others)
365 or 34% Carbines (Sharps, Maynard, Burnside)
461 or 43% Effective men with pistols (36. Colt Navy; 44. Colt Army, French Lafachuaux)
36 or 3 % Sabers (Most in Chalmer’s Division)
Cart. Boxes 1,130 or 105%
Cart Box Belts 701 or 65.4% (At least two-thirds infantry types- others varied)
Cap Boxes 1,073 or 100%
Waist Belts 1,042 or 97%
Saber Belts 41 or 4 % (Most in Chalmer’s Div., Duff’s 19th Mississippi)
* As an example of the impact of his captures, after the battle Forrest could now equip nearly 100% of these men with horse equipment. ..................
EXCERPT 3:
.........CONCLUSION: No doubt, some will argue various references made by the veterans and even photographic evidence but these are as much anecdotal as they are circumstantial. The facts as found in the inspection reports are inarguable, the truth inescapable. The cavalry of the western Confederacy was armed and equipped a lot like infantry. Therefore, the arms and equipment found on many of today’s cavalry reenactors are at best, a misrepresentation of history or, at worst erroneous “reenactorisms”................
SIMPLE IS BETTER....LESS IS BEST!
1. For most, leave the saber and the pistol at home. On average only about 32% had pistols. Not three pistols, not two with extra cylinders....None!! Only one in three reenactors (privates) should even carry them. Even fewer carried sabers (never popular in western cavalry).
2. Most of the west’s cavalry carried infantry long arms such as the Austrian Lorenz, Mississippi, two-band Enfield and .69 cal. Muskets. Sharp’s carbines are way overdone! On average only about 25% had a carbine of any type. So, think about using a Burnside, Maynard or a shot gun. Better yet, trade your Sharp’s for a rifled long arm and sling it across your back....just as they did.
3. Lose the saber belt and buy an infantry cartridge box with shoulder belt (Federal or Confederate). One might also consider a plain, simple waist belt rig with an infantry (not a carbine box) cartridge and cap box or, occasionally going without either (use your pockets or haversack like they did)! ....................
EXCERPT 4:
.............AUTHOR’S NOTES:
- It was rare indeed for the typical Confederate cavalryman to have more than one pistol. In fact, on average two of three troopers in most regiments were entirely without. Even Texas Cavalry Regiments! Only the later records of Ross’s Texas cavalry brigade (Sept. 64) show higher percentages (90%). The records of the 8th Texas (Terry’s Texas Rangers) in particular show multiple pistols however, these are both exceptions to the rule. ................
-end-
The July issue of the Camp Chase features an exclusive article I wrote for them entitled. “Western Cavalry Equipped as Infantry? Or, When the Obvious isn’t so Obvious!”. The meat of the piece is what arms and accoutrements were found in the ranks of western cavalry during the war. The research comes from a significant amount of war time Confederate documentation, ala’ the Ordnance Inspection reports (found in the National Archives), which are contemporary and accurate sources (not post war myth, reminiscences or reenactorisms) for what was actually found in the ranks. For some of the folks that read this forum there will be some earth shattering surprises here especially when it comes to the types of weapons, accoutrements and their numbers or, average percentages to “effective men” in the field especially when it comes to pistols. I am quite certain it will cause some controversy but I am very hopeful that reenactor/historians will read it with an open mind and consider its merits and recommendations. I enclose some "out of context" excerpts below.
Of course, this is meant as a “teaser”. I hope you gents will pick up an issue and maybe even endeavor a subscription. Camp Chase has new leadership. They are making some big changes and doing a great job.
By the way, in the August Issue I have another piece entitled, “Was there a Chronic Shortage of Haversacks and Canteens Among Western CS Cavalry? Or, Was it a Shortage by “Choice”? Another in the works will address the arms and accoutrements in ANV cavalry. I will get some excerpts out on these at a future date.
Thank You!!
Ken R Knopp
www.confederatesaddles.com
EXCERPT 1:
Confederate cavalry in the west armed and equipped as infantry? As knowledgeable reenactor-“historians” we say, “Oh sure, that’s obvious. Forrest/Wheeler, mounted infantry....!” Yes? Well, then why do most cavalry reenactors NOT reflect this fact? Sadly, today’s common western cavalry reenactor thinks himself quite authentic with his saber and saber belt, carbine cartridge box, pistol box with extra cylinders, multiple pistols and Sharp’s carbine. However, the reality was quite different.
Throughout most of the war the majority of the arms and accoutrements used by western Confederate cavalrymen were simple infantry type issue. The historical record from the numerous Inspection Reports in the National Archives, clearly show a preponderance of rifles and muskets in the ranks including Austrian Lorenz, Mississippi’s, .69 Muskets, Enfield’s, Springfield’s, etc. and some shot guns. Perhaps of greater importance is that there are a relatively small number of carbines, very few pistols and never a mention of extra cylinders. As for accoutrements, very few “saber belts” are noted, few sabers in the record and no mention of pistol boxes at all. Interestingly, accoutrements are noted separately and include a large percentage of “cartridge box belts”. Which suggests that cartridge boxes were often attached NOT on the waist belt like cavalry accoutrements but carried slung over the shoulder via the cartridge box “belt”....like infantry! Here’s the data: ..................
EXCERPT 2:
.........After the remarkable success by Forrest at Brice’s Crossroads, the resulting capture of Federal arms and equipment certainly augmented supply to a great degree. For study, we turn to an inspection report of Rucker’s Brigade of Chalmer’s Division dated July 3rd, 1864 as a relative sample of what then might be typically found throughout Forrest’s Cavalry. 4. Consisting of 1,072 effective men from three regiments of Tennessee and Mississippi cavalry we find the following:
Arms: (1,018 total or 95% with long arms)
653 or 61% Infantry arms (Austrians, 69. Muskets, Enfield, Mississippi’s, and assorted others)
365 or 34% Carbines (Sharps, Maynard, Burnside)
461 or 43% Effective men with pistols (36. Colt Navy; 44. Colt Army, French Lafachuaux)
36 or 3 % Sabers (Most in Chalmer’s Division)
Cart. Boxes 1,130 or 105%
Cart Box Belts 701 or 65.4% (At least two-thirds infantry types- others varied)
Cap Boxes 1,073 or 100%
Waist Belts 1,042 or 97%
Saber Belts 41 or 4 % (Most in Chalmer’s Div., Duff’s 19th Mississippi)
* As an example of the impact of his captures, after the battle Forrest could now equip nearly 100% of these men with horse equipment. ..................
EXCERPT 3:
.........CONCLUSION: No doubt, some will argue various references made by the veterans and even photographic evidence but these are as much anecdotal as they are circumstantial. The facts as found in the inspection reports are inarguable, the truth inescapable. The cavalry of the western Confederacy was armed and equipped a lot like infantry. Therefore, the arms and equipment found on many of today’s cavalry reenactors are at best, a misrepresentation of history or, at worst erroneous “reenactorisms”................
SIMPLE IS BETTER....LESS IS BEST!
1. For most, leave the saber and the pistol at home. On average only about 32% had pistols. Not three pistols, not two with extra cylinders....None!! Only one in three reenactors (privates) should even carry them. Even fewer carried sabers (never popular in western cavalry).
2. Most of the west’s cavalry carried infantry long arms such as the Austrian Lorenz, Mississippi, two-band Enfield and .69 cal. Muskets. Sharp’s carbines are way overdone! On average only about 25% had a carbine of any type. So, think about using a Burnside, Maynard or a shot gun. Better yet, trade your Sharp’s for a rifled long arm and sling it across your back....just as they did.
3. Lose the saber belt and buy an infantry cartridge box with shoulder belt (Federal or Confederate). One might also consider a plain, simple waist belt rig with an infantry (not a carbine box) cartridge and cap box or, occasionally going without either (use your pockets or haversack like they did)! ....................
EXCERPT 4:
.............AUTHOR’S NOTES:
- It was rare indeed for the typical Confederate cavalryman to have more than one pistol. In fact, on average two of three troopers in most regiments were entirely without. Even Texas Cavalry Regiments! Only the later records of Ross’s Texas cavalry brigade (Sept. 64) show higher percentages (90%). The records of the 8th Texas (Terry’s Texas Rangers) in particular show multiple pistols however, these are both exceptions to the rule. ................
-end-