Cavalry

[blackheart]

I am curious as to know what the average Cavalry soldier packed and how he did it.

The Infantry had knapsacks to carry items in.

Did the Cavalry just put everything in the blanket and roll it up?

[flattop32355]

Saddlebags may have been thought of by then.

[Spinster]

Blanket rolls were certainly one option.

Ken Knopp's excellent works provide a wide variety of information on horse furniture. Here's another option--a valise of the sort to attach behind the saddle

http://confederatesaddles.com/cswp/?p=455&pid=163

The particular one illustrated is woolen, but leather and painted cloth originals are extant as well.

Tim Kohen reproduces a painted cloth saddle valise from an original held in Jackson, Mississippi. Its a remarkably efficient item that stands to hard wear--I used it to carry my bedroll for a recent six day event.

Edited to add:

While I was hunting the valise picture, Doc B mentioned saddle bags. Of course, the Federal army was issuing fine ones. Here's an image of an extant original considered to be representative of Confederate ersatz

http://confederatesaddles.com/cswp/?page_id=724&nggpage=2&pid=429

[blackheart]

Yes I know they had saddle bags!!

But the Union saddle bags were small and did not carry much!!!!!

[Ross L. Lamoreaux]

Yes I know they had saddle bags!!

But the Union saddle bags were small and did not carry much!!!!!

Perhaps thats why troopers didn't carry too much. As the previous parties have mentioned, they had saddle bags, valises, and rolls. Thats really all that was needed on campaign. If you ever look at a period saddle or quality replication, you'll see lots of straps and tie-downs. Everything needed could be rolled up, strapped down, and you're ready to go. Your original question asked for what they packed. That varied from soldier to soldier and mission to mission, but you can pretty much go with the standard equipage of blanket, poncho or ground cloth, shelter half if federal and after late '62, some spare clothing such as drawers, shirts, and socks, picket rope and pin, overcoat if needed. All of that easily fit into rolls, valises, and saddlebags.

[Spinster]

Yes I know they had saddle bags!!

But the Union saddle bags were small and did not carry much!!!!!


So, what are you looking to carry that is causing difficulty?

[Curt-Heinrich Schmidt]

Hallo!

The Union army also issued six 12 or 24 inch straps to help secure extra items on or about the saddles.

The CW era saddlebags were smallish, and not really (partially) resolved by a (slightly) larger version in the mid 1880's.

Put in two spare horse shoes, nails, a hoof pick, a brush, a curry comb, and sometimes a mane comb- it does not leave much room for too much else.

CHS
Not a cavalryman Mess

[Spinster]

Curt,

I'm still giggling at the 'Original Confederate Horse Pickett' I saw at the Nashville Civil War show a few years back, for an unconscionable price. And envisioning some poor horse carrying the thing......

I'm not a cavalryman either, but I know a 7" by 12" by 2" soapstone bedwarmer with a metal handle when I see one :p

[1 Yellowhammer]

The Selma Arsenal also produced a painted cloth saddle and horse equipment. If you're doing a Western Cav. impression.

[Diamond'sArtilleryQtm.]

Basic issue supplies for cavalry was a McClellan saddle, a blanket roll, and their weaponry. Everything else was up to the individual trooper. However, "extra" stuff wouldn't have amounted to very much. Despite the glamor and glitter of the big screen cavalry, in truth, speed and manuverability in the field was of chief importance. To accomplish this, they had to pack as light as possible. Also, bear in mind that to a trooper, the horse was everything, so the well being of the mount was usually placed over that of the soldier.

For instance, cavalrymen would carry an iron stake with a length of rope to stake out their horses when in camp, and usually some extra feed for the animal. After their weapons, ammunition, rations, blanket, all the items necessary to care for their mount, and all the necessities, they'd probably be happy to have an extra shirt and a bible, and if they somehow managed to fit in a shelter half while in the field, they were no doubt on cloud nine.

[Coatsy]

Personal items such as a housewife/sewing kit, tooth brush, papers (for various usage) can fit in you pants or coat pocket. Soldiers liked to add extra patch pockers too. Check the EOG book series for a quick reference. The extra socks, shirt, drawers, sleeping cap can be rolled up in your blanket and ground cover (gum blanket, oil cloth, ground cloth, etc) and strapped to the saddle. Curt made a good point about the horse care gear being stowed in the saddle bag.

No, I'm not a cavalry guy, but I've seen many photos of the men in the saddle and set ups at different museums to get a good idea. I especially remember the cavalry photo/info section from the Time Life silver book series "Gettysburg." That really helped me understand how all the horse tack and the man's kit went together when I was younger. Hope this helps.

[Curt-Heinrich Schmidt]

Hallo!

"Basic issue supplies for cavalry was a McClellan saddle, a blanket roll, and their weaponry. Everything else was up to the individual trooper."

Would not "basic issue" for say Union cavalry be more formal, such as, say:

a bit, reins, halter/bridle, surgingle, saddle, six coat straps, saddle bags, saddle blanket, horse brush, curry comb, picket pin, lariat, link strap, carbine socket, nose bag, lead line, horse shoe pouch/bag with two horse shoes and nails, breast collar, trooper's blanket, gun blanket or poncho, a "uniform," shoes/boots, sabre, sabre belt, carbine, carbine box, revolver, revolver box and cap box, canteen, spurs, etc.

?

CHS

[Poor Private]

Here is a quote from Private Mosgrove of Morgan's 2nd Kentucky:
The ideal was "a good horse, a mexican saddle, a pair of big spurs with bells on them, a light long range gun, a brace of Colt's revolvers, a good blanket, some form of oil cloth, and a canteen of brandy sweetened with honey. When he had these things, or some of them, he was a merry fellow, ready to dash into battle, singing 'I'm glad to be in the army'. "
Taken from pages 98-99 of "The Bold Cavaliers" By Dee Alexander Brown published by Lippencott in 1959.
This was early in the war, mid 1862. You have to take into account your personna and time period, and which side your portraying in reenacting. The best bet is to research the unit your with, or if not with one a generic cavalry person.

[Dave Myrick]

Ok, I'll bite. First keep in mind less is indeed more when it comes to the weight the horse has to carry. The more crap you drag with you, the more it weighs and the faster your horse tires and breaks down. SO, if you don't need it, leave it home.
For you well equipped Federal, bit, bridle, reins, halter, lead and link strap upon the head of horse as customary. Saddle blanket and shelter half (if carried) under the saddle. Overcoat, grain sack and poncho secured to the pommel with coat straps. Nosebag, picket pin and lariat hung from either the off side pommel or cantle rings. Spare clothes, socks etc, bible, housewife and personal items are rolled into the sleeping blanket and along with a ground cloth are secured to the cantle with coat straps. Saddle bags contain a set of 4 horse shoes and nails, a horse brush, curry comb and hoof pick. Extra packets of ammunition can be squeezed in as well. Food items along with eating utensils, cup and plate are carried in the haversack which can be draped over the rider's shoulder or hung to the near side off of the bed roll. All weapons and the canteen are worn/carried upon the person.

Dave Myrick

[indguard]

My favorite bad Irishman Civil War joke is a cav joke...

Right off the boat, Paddy enlisted in the cav'ry because the prospect of walking all the way to Virginny was vexing to his tender feet. They gave him a horse and all his guvmint issued supplies. But there was so many supplies that the horse was having trouble gettin' around. Paddy felt horrible for that poor horse with all that stuff and such weighing him down. But Paddy had an idea. He took all that heavy stuff of his horse and put it on his own back. Paddy was pleased that he was so considerate of his new horse. Once Paddy was done with his rearangin', he climbed onto his horse's back puddin' pleased with himself for being so considerate to lighten his horse's load and to have put all those supplies on how own back.

WTH
The SmothersBrothers mess

[1stWiscTrooper]

Ok, I'll bite. First keep in mind less is indeed more when it comes to the weight the horse has to carry. The more crap you drag with you, the more it weighs and the faster your horse tires and breaks down. SO, if you don't need it, leave it home.
For you well equipped Federal, bit, bridle, reins, halter, lead and link strap upon the head of horse as customary. Saddle blanket and shelter half (if carried) under the saddle. Overcoat, grain sack and poncho secured to the pommel with coat straps. Nosebag, picket pin and lariat hung from either the off side pommel or cantle rings. Spare clothes, socks etc, bible, housewife and personal items are rolled into the sleeping blanket and along with a ground cloth are secured to the cantle with coat straps. Saddle bags contain a set of 4 horse shoes and nails, a horse brush, curry comb and hoof pick. Extra packets of ammunition can be squeezed in as well. Food items along with eating utensils, cup and plate are carried in the haversack which can be draped over the rider's shoulder or hung to the near side off of the bed roll. All weapons and the canteen are worn/carried upon the person.

Dave Myrick

Yup, what Dave said. One reason I enjoy doing Western Theater CS cav a lot is because of you don't carry all of the extra crap. One three band Enfield, an infantry cartridge box, and MAYBE a revolver (not often though). Like Dave said,,,,,,less is more!!!

[VaTrooper]

For a weekend campaign event:

saddle
2 blankets- both go under the saddle use the top one to sleep under
groundcloth
ponch
bridle, bit, n reins
halter n lead
haversack
canteen
swordbelt w/ sword, cartridgebox, and cap pouch
shotgun
boots
socks
trousers
shirt
jacket
cap
drawers
overcoat if I need it

[RJSamp]

For a weekend campaign event:

saddle
2 blankets- both go under the saddle use the top one to sleep under
groundcloth
ponch
bridle, bit, n reins
halter n lead
haversack
canteen
swordbelt w/ sword, cartridgebox, and cap pouch
shotgun
boots
socks
trousers
shirt
jacket
cap
drawers
overcoat if I need it

nice list!
I would add:

horse grooming equipment
horse first aid stuff, barbed wire can be nasty
lariat (haven't carried the pin in awhile, but it's nice to be able to tie up the horses for the night)
Pistol COW and gunpowder for pistol reloads (assume the cartridge box has shotgun loads or someone else might have carbine\rifle cartridges)
Link Strap
agree don't need nails or horseshoes for a weekend (or have them in the car).
I don't use spurs, but that might be a horse specific necessity....

Assume you have eating\cooking gear and food in the haversack....matches, candle, pocket watch, housewife....

although I'll wear the clothes you've listed, I add a 2nd pair of socks and a night cap to the list and a small cloth.

Only one more hill.....

[SgtTodd]

Pistols are loaded with pistol cartridges from packages carried in a pocket, saddle bags, or even a pistol cartridge box.

[Spinster]

Sgt Todd,

For the curious, but ignorant--please elaborate on the process of pistol cartridges, making, and loading from them in the field. It sounds safer and more efficent.

Since hanging around an authentic cavalry camp would be *inappropriate* for one of my age, gender, and station, its not a process I've seen.

I've seen the loose Cream of Wheat process, and think it a fine use of the stuff, as I sure don't care to eat it.....;)

[Curt-Heinrich Schmidt]

Hallo!

Not the Sergeant but...

Revolver cartridges were NUG issued in the form of factory-made paper or foil type cartridges sometimes in pasteboard boxes or wrapped drilled wooden blocks. These could be carried about the person, horse, or carried 2-3 in the issue type pistol boxes on the swordbelt.

http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y104/Michael1787/Packets/P1.jpg

http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y104/Michael1787/Coltpapercartridges.jpg

CHS

[Choatecav]

I hope that Dan Chmelar replies to this. He has got this down to a science and does a wonderful job!!

Mark

[RJSamp]

Pistols are loaded with pistol cartridges from packages carried in a pocket, saddle bags, or even a pistol cartridge box.

Thanks Gerry! I'll try that the next time I carry a revolver (which is like once every 5 years)....the COW and gunpowder system is a pain....

[VaTrooper]

nice list!
I would add:

horse grooming equipment
horse first aid stuff, barbed wire can be nasty
lariat (haven't carried the pin in awhile, but it's nice to be able to tie up the horses for the night)
Pistol COW and gunpowder for pistol reloads (assume the cartridge box has shotgun loads or someone else might have carbine\rifle cartridges)
Link Strap
agree don't need nails or horseshoes for a weekend (or have them in the car).
I don't use spurs, but that might be a horse specific necessity....

Assume you have eating\cooking gear and food in the haversack....matches, candle, pocket watch, housewife....

although I'll wear the clothes you've listed, I add a 2nd pair of socks and a night cap to the list and a small cloth.

Only one more hill.....

You can call me a bum but if it aint on that list I can borrow it or I don't need it. There would be cartridges in the box and rations in the haversack.

[1stWiscTrooper]

I hope that Dan Chmelar replies to this. He has got this down to a science and does a wonderful job!!

Mark

Thanks for the kind words Mark. My revolver arsenal packs that I reproduce are a result of lots of help from Dave Myrick and multiple tweaking of my process to get it to the point where there is not combustion issues.

First of all you need a dowl rod tapered toward one end. Before you sand down the taper, drill a recessed hole in the very end of the dowl. This allows a space that you can punch the paper into when making the cartridge tube.

I use cigarette rolling papers to make the tube. Wet the sticky edge and roll the paper around the dowl, twisting the paper down so it is tight against the tapered end. Take the tail that is formed and push it into the recess that you have drilled out already. On .44 cartridges you need to put powder and COW, so I have a line marked on my dowl that indicates how long the cartridge needs to be. Thirty six caliber cartridges don't need COW. I mark the cartridge with a pencil at the line, then pull the cartridge off the dowl. Put 30 grains of powder in the tube, and finish it off up to the marked line with COW. Twist the open end of the cartridge, tapping it a few times to make it settle.

For the block I drill out blocks on the drill press like the blocks pictured. I attach a string at one end of the block with paste glue, running the string along the top edge of the block. When I wrap the block in paper just like a present, I punch a small hole in the paper and have the string sticking out.

Finally I have reproduced stamps for the pack labels, depending on the caliber, if it is Federal (Federals contracted out their revolver ammunition), or the CS Laboratories.


This all probably sounds a lot more confusing than it is. If there are anymore questions, don't be bashful!

Dan Chmelar

[Choatecav]

Great job with the description, Dan.

Folks, that is reason that Dan will be one of the guest instructors next March at the 2011 Authentic Cavalry Camp of Instruction, in Franklin, TN.

This type of topic along with many more plus hours of saddle time and drill, on platoon, company and battalion levels!

More to come....................

thanks again, Dan.
Mark

[SgtTodd]

The original question asked...

I am curious as to know what the average Cavalry soldier packed and how he did it.
The Infantry had knapsacks to carry items in.
Did the Cavalry just put everything in the blanket and roll it up?

I was under the impression the question wasn't asking how reenactors did it.