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=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

[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.