Announcement!! Chickamauga Cavalry Adjunct!

[Choatecav]

To all:

I am excited to announce to all of you of the mounted persuasion, that we are forming a special group of cavalrymen for the 150th Battle of Chickamauga. We will be portraying one of the true elite fighting units of the War Between the States, ...Forrest's Escort Company! It is our goal to assemble as many men as possible for the extended weekend that want to live the life and fight in the manner of this legendary group and, be willing to meet the guidelines listed below.
Ken Knopp has done a fabulous job of researching and writing a very informative brief history of the Escort and then goes further to establish authenticity guidelines that we will all be measured against in this epic endeavor. At the Chickamauga event, this force will be used in an exclusive manner in several key scenarios and full use will be made of all aspects of cavalry warfare in both mounted and dismounted tactics. This will include a command structure prepared and in place to ensure assignment of duties, scouting efforts, deployment of videttes, and other routine roles of camp life and structure (*Bivouac camping). We will begin the event weekend as Forrest began all of his campaigns, with an inspection of his men......your "kit" (impression). i.e. arms, accoutrements and tack as measured against these guidelines. This event will test you as a cavalryman but you will be richly rewarded, too.

I do not know of another time when Forrest's Escort has been portrayed in an authentic manner such as this and it will be not only a treat for any cavalryman, but also a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity as a mounted historian. If you are interested in participating in this then I ask that you first read the history of the unit and the authenticity guidelines below and then register for the event. DUE TO LENGTH, THE ESCORT HISTORY AND THE AUTH GUIDELINES WILL BE POSTED FURTHER DOWN IN THIS THREAD.

Registration for participation of Forrest's Escort is a two-step process.

Step1. Go to the website linked and register for the event with the BGA (http://www.150thanniversarychickamau...istration.html ).
Register under "Forrest’s Escort/7th Tennessee Cavalry"

Step 2. Register directly with us as Forrest’s Escort. Email Ken Knopp ( krk1865@bellsouth.net ) with your name(s). Tell us that you are registered with the BGA and that you wish to participate as a member of Forrest’s Escort.

NOTES: We are portraying a single company so everyone registers as a "private". By doing so you agree to accept the authenticity guidelines and organizational structure. No females. You will receive a confirmation as well as future communications as we get closer to the event. Special consideration will be given to units or multiple registrants. Please ask. A limited amount of loaner gear is available. Please inquire. Questions? Just ask.

*Both of these steps are extremely important as both we and the Chickamauga event must have an accurate headcount of the number of participants for organizational purposes. Our goal is to approach as close as possible to the accurate number of men of the original escort at Chickamauga with 60 or more mounted men. We know that this is attainable as we have done it at other events.

DON'T MISS...this unique opportunity to "ride with Forrest" at Chickamauga in perhaps the largest recreation of his famous Escort since its original inception.

Thanks,
Mark

[Choatecav]

HISTORY OF FORREST’S ESCORT

Compiled by Ken R Knopp

It was once stated, long after the war by one of Forrest’s own veterans that, “any man that can prove he rode with Forrest in the last year of the war is no ordinary man”. The men of Forrest’s Escort were the very best of these men. Forrest himself has been rightfully referred to as, “a man’s idea of a man”. If you accept that premise then it is no exaggeration or idle boast to further add that the Escort Company was Forrest’s own personal idea of “men among men”.

From the fall of 1862, to the last days of the war this unit has been considered by their contemporaries and still are by historians today as the “best of the best”. A reading of their unit history acknowledges this as fact. They fought in over seventy engagements during the war and were fighting or on the march nearly every day during the last fourteen months of the conflict. To use some of today analogies, they were the “Seal Team 6", “Delta Force”, Green Beret’s or Rangers of their time.

HISTORY OF FORREST'S ESCORT

Also known as Forrest Guards, Tennessee Cavalry.
Records filed under "Captain J. C. Jackson's Company, Tennessee Cavalry."
(SOURCE: TenGenWeb: Tennesseans in the Civil War)
Organized Sept. 1862, at Shelbyville, Tenn. Paroled at Gainesville, Alabama, May 10, 1865.
Captains Montgomery W. Little; John C Jackson.
Lieutenants: 1st Lieutenants-Nathan Boone (Commanded from March 6, to October 1, 1863), Matthew Cortner; 2nd Lieutenants-Daniel Dunaway, George L. Cowan; 3rd Lieutenants-Daniel Dunaway, John Eaton
This company was recruited at the instance of Nathan Bedford Forrest shortly subsequent to his promotion to brigadier general, by Captain Montgomery Little, a native of Bedford County who had been before the war a planter and business man in Memphis. It was made up mainly of men from Bedford County, part of which is now Moore County, who were assembled in Shelbyville in September and moved from there to Murfreesboro just before the town was temporarily occupied by a Federal raiding force. They were integrated into Forrest's command in time to participate in the confused fighting around Lavergne on October 7, 1862.

Thereafter, the combat record of this company is the record of battles in which Forrest was himself engaged. After taking part in the demonstration against Nashville on November 6, they moved with Forrest to his West Tennessee Raid, and from there to the frequent fighting around Spring Hill, Thompson's Station,-where Little was killed-College Grove, Franklin and Breutwood; they also participated in the pursuit and capture of Streight during the early Summer of 1863. They then moved south and east, screening Bragg's withdrawal in the Chattanooga Campaign, to take part in the Battle of Chickamauga. From here they were transferred, a part of the nucleus of Forrest's new command, to West Tennessee.
In West Tennessee, they took part in the operations incident to Forrest's mobilization of a force from the stragglers hiding in that area and North Mississippi, and gathering supplies. The mobilization having been accomplished, they took part in the Battle of Okolona, the raid to Paducah, the capture of Fort Pillow, the Battles of Brice's Crossroads and of Harrisburg and the Memphis Raid. Following the Middle Tennessee Raid and the destruction of Johnsonville, they moved with their commander to the screening action ahead of Hood on his invasion of Tennessee, which was followed by coverage of the retreat and did exemplary work- at times that of a full regiment in the final Selma campaign. During all these operations, they were frequently mentioned favorably in reports. It would not be unusual for the general commanding to make favorable mention of his Escort, however, the facts bear out that all of these commendations were richly deserved.


FORREST’S ESCORT COMPANY
The Facts that made the Legend...

References: Available documentation including the Official Records, various ordnance reports, diaries, and veteran’s reminiscences, Forrest biographies, various books, articles, Confederate Veteran magazine and discussion with notable Forrest experts. The following observations can be made about the men, horses, arms and equipment of Forrest’s Escort Company.......

MEN: Only the best, most reliable material of men were in the escort. The original unit was formed in September 1862 at Shelbyville, Tennessee. This core group fought in every engagement in which Forrest participated. Almost always at his very side. They suffered more than their share of casualties, fighting, marching and work. They were frequently drilled and routinely inspected in great detail including their mounts, arms and equipment. The reasons are obvious. To build ability, instill discipline, confidence and a strong sense of an esprit d-corps.

It did. The escort was one of the few Confederate units that ended the war with more men on the roster than they had mustered at the beginning. Though starting with men from the counties around his birth place, throughout the war Forrest often hand picked replacement men from other units. When Forrest observed personal bravery, initiative, resourcefulness or ability such as from his reliable scouts he would often ask the trooper to join his escort. At least two and perhaps more blacks served in the escort with notable mention of them being armed and using those arms on at least one occasion.

DUTIES: The escort went where Forrest went. Which was always where there was the most fierce fighting. They were often employed as Forrest’s “shock” troops when the most pressure was required at the vortex of battle; they were his personal body guard and often as a police force when in camp or garrison. A squad always went with Forrest on inspection tours, with Forrest scouting, they were sent out to capture deserters, used as staff courier duty, escorting prisoners; police patrol in towns; important guard duty and even mundane things like unloading supplies from rail cars.

HORSES: In general, when a horse was captured by a trooper it was considered his personal property. Trading, sale and barter of horses was common. Occasionally an officer might confiscate an animal from a trooper but that was unusual and considered abusive. Nevertheless, Forrest always made sure his staff and escort were superbly mounted. In Forrest’s command officers were generally given first pick of animals that were considered as captured public property. This privilege was extended to the escort and only then to the command in general. Extra or unserviceable horses were held in reserve, recruited or turned over to the Quartermaster.

DUE to size, History continued on next post........

[Choatecav]

History of Forrest's Escort, Continued.......


DRILL: Forrest considered drill as of the utmost importance and his escort were likely among the best drilled in the entire army. Records indicate the practice of drill almost every day for the escort when not on campaign or on other important duty. This included at lease one instance of saber drill. Their success in battle, relatively low casualties given their frequency in the very heart of every battle bear out their discipline and utility under fire. It is also worthy of note that Forrest or his commanding officer’s ordered “General” or “Grand Reviews” from time to time.

INSPECTIONS: The escort was very frequently inspected in great detail including their mounts, arms and equipment when idle in camp or when preparing for a campaign. Often an inspection was for just arms, or horses. Other times, a general inspection of all arms and equipments. Over one fairly idle four month period they were inspected no less than five times. Once again, their success resonates from their discipline.

MORALE: The morale of the escort was noted in reports as “high”. Cited often in official reports as “the best” or “reliable”. This was due to their strong confidence in their leadership and commanding general but it also can be attributed to their access to the best food, horses, arms, equipments, regular pay and spoils of war. There can be little doubt in the veracity of this statement. However, they also had their weak moments. While encamped near Chattanooga in the summer of 1863 the command was bored with idle time. It was hot, rainy, the battlefield losses at Vicksburg and Port Hudson were fresh in the news. All of this caused great discontentment. On July 15th for unknown reasons- perhaps boredom, for excitement or from genuine depression, as many as seventeen of the company deserted. The next day Captain Boone went out and brought back several of them. After a few days more of the wayward came back and on August 9th the last remaining four returned to duty. It is not clear if they were disciplined for their offence. This was the only known instance of such behavior by members of the escort. More often, they were too busy fighting to consider anything else.

ARMS: Arms issues were frequent. Including pistols, carbines and accoutrements. It appears the command was also often issued new, replacement carbines.

LONG ARMS: First armed with shotguns these were quickly replaced with captured carbines. By mid war, most of the escort carried Sharps carbines to facilitate easy ammunition re-supply until after Brice’s Cross roads when they were issued Spencer carbines. However, 1863 inspection reports notably show a handful of (likely two band) British Enfield rifles- troopers probably employed as sharpshooters. The reports also tell us that no one was exempt. Company rank and file all carried carbines. In the desire for firepower Forrest believed every man was to be a weapon.

PISTOLS: Two types: the colt Navy 36 and Army 44 are found in identical numbers to the men in the command. Their reliability, easy accessability to ammunition and repair made these arms the most desirable. Official ordnance reports show one to each man, rank and file although this was likely for official inspection purposes only. Diaries and reminiscences suggest most men likely carried more than one pistol.

SABERS: Except for staff officers, sabers were not generally carried by the escort rank and file except in post when employed as police or as Forrest’s body guards.

SADDLES: Forrest Escort frequently drew issues of saddles, bridles, etc. In general, the Confederate cavalryman preferred the horned Texas variations as first choice for a saddle. Second was the captured Federal McClellan and last- Confederate-made saddles. In general by 1863 CS manufactured saddles were considered of poor quality, injurious to horse’s backs and were to be avoided when possible.

BRIDLES & BITS: Western CS issue halter bridles were generally of good quality. Captured Federal bridles were common. The type bridle bit employed then as now, depended upon the abilities of the horse and skill of the rider and thus left to the vagrancies of choice and availability.

SADDLE BAGS: Were made by Confederate arsenals and depots until 1863 when numbers taper off. By then, many troopers preferred traveling light and un-encumbered. Valises were common through the war as was the simple blanket roll. Captured bags would have been common but their employment like the other items noted above was a matter of personal choice.

SADDLE BLANKET: An item subject to hard usage and quick deterioration. The most common blanket found in the western south was the Spanish Moss blanket. Captured Federal saddle and sleeping blankets or appropriated civilian blankets were also common.

ACCOUTREMENTS: Only assumptions can be made here. Regular issues were common however whether they were of CS manufacture or recycled Federal or both, is subject to conjecture. Certainly, high quality Federal issue carbine straps with snap hooks and cavalry cartridge boxes were often preferred.

CLOTHING: Depending upon time of the war and location issues of clothing to Confederate troopers were generally more common than legend and folklore want us to believe. For example, from August 1863 through Jan 1864 (six months) Forrest Escort received three complete issues of “coat, pants, drawers and shirt”. It is generally believed by historians that trousers and shirts lasted 2-3 months and coats somewhat longer. Drawers no doubt less. On campaign, rough usage and lack of ability for regular cleaning dramatically shortened the life of these articles. In 1863, the commutation system had been largely replaced by organized Confederate manufacture. The large mills at Columbus Georgia and elsewhere were making and shipping significant quantities of shell jackets, trousers and other articles. Issue to Forrest’s command in 1863 would likely come from that source and of patterns common to that depot.

Given their regular issues, it is quite likely that Forrest’s escort were fairly uniform in their dress at least regarding jackets. Like all Confederate cavalrymen trousers and shirts received extra hard usage and likely varied among issue and civilian patterns. Hats were a matter of choice often with personal fashion an important matter. Sometimes hat issues came in to play and often hats were lost or worn out too. Likewise, boots and shoes received similar treatment. Issues of “shoes” are noted in the records for the escort but private purchase and appropriation of captured property made the issue of foot ware a matter of choice and availability.

FOOD: Food varied depending upon whether in camp or on the march. Upon receiving marching orders the command would be ordered to cook two to four days rations for carrying with them and two days rations for their horses. Issue food articles noted in diaries included pork, beef, meal, peas, flour and potatoes. Like all good cavalrymen foraging was, no doubt, frequent.

PAY: Unlike most cavalry units, the escort was apparently paid on a regular basis. Another reason for good morale.

TRAVEL: Diaries and records note that the command routinely marched 18-20 miles in a day but thirty five miles was common and up to 40 to 50 miles in a single day when necessary.

CAMP: Although a part of the escort was always assigned with Forrest at headquarters as his personal body guard, when in static camp or garrisoned in town (such as at Columbia in the spring of 1863) the command would sometimes be spread out to facilitate forage or other police duties.

TENTS: The command always bivouac camped when on campaign and even in garrison. Only in winter quarters did they live in tent-cabins and then sometimes these were in short supply or late in arrival at winter quarters.

WAGONS: Depending upon the size of his command, Forrest’s Headquarters included varying numbers of headquarters, ordnance, quartermaster and forge wagons and ambulances. At the peak of his roster and efficiency in May 1864 they numbered as many as twenty-three, six horse wagons; four, four-horse wagons and two, two-horse wagons, four ambulances, and two forge wagons with all of the appropriate numbers of harness, mules and horses and teamsters (most of Forrest’s teamsters were blacks). Up to 90% of these draft animals were mules.

[Choatecav]

AUTHENTICITY GUIDELINES

Forrest’s Escort Company
150th Anniversary of Chickamauga


At all times during the war the escort would have been armed, equipped and clothed with the best available at any given time either through capture or by issue. Some items such as clothing and even saddles would be fairly uniform. For our purposes at Chickamauga, the effort will be to display some uniformity without exceeding reason. All items noted in order of preference.

PARTICIPANTS: Simple, you must be a male, bring a good attitude and have a horse (see horse requirements below). This is an invitational adjunct event.

CAMP LIFE: Bivouac camping. NO TENTS!! This is NOT a family camp. Bring only what you can carry on your horse including rations!

SADDLERY:
SADDLES: Strive for uniformity!! Federal McClellan’s preferred!
FEDERAL: Federal McClellan’s (best) or Federal military horned wagon saddles
CONFEDERATE: CS issue or civilian Texas patterns.
*All CS issue predominantly of russet leather. “Correct” hardware is critical!!!
* NO M1904 Conversion trees! Correct iron hardware! No brass or decorative embellishments

BRIDLES: Preferred: Federal issue M1858 (6 or 3 buckle) patterns. CS issue halter-bridle combination (or 3 buckle pattern) acceptable; CS made reins of enameled cloth or cotton web. No civilian bridles. No rosettes of any kind.
HALTERS: Federal issue, CS issue (single Ring) or civilian variations. Lead strap of hemp rope or leather. Period construction and correct hardware imperative.
BITS: CS issue “trooper’s bits, Civilian “Plain” pattern; Federal 59 or 63 issue patterns; civilian curb, or snaffle patterns; English Pelham or snaffles, etc. Period patterns. No modern chrome or blackened iron.
SADDLE BLANKET: Spanish Moss blanket or pad; Federal issue saddle and sleeping blanket patterns; civilian appropriation including homespun; English imports.
SADDLE BAGS/VALISES: CS valise or blanket roll is best. Saddle Bags: Federal M1859 McClellan issue; NOTE: Although a significant early war CS issue item, by early - mid 1863 few saddle bags were being made and issued. Most troopers would have discarded them as a heavy, useless item. Instead, employ a simple blanket roll or a valise. Confederate valises remain on Ordnance reports well into 1864. Confederate valises of wool, leather, painted cloth (or combination of both) with wooden ends.
BREAST STRAPS/MARTINGALE’S: Civilian or “field-made” “Y” straps, martingales and straps with proper period buckles and generally without ornamentation. NOTE: NO Federal “brass heart” breast straps! (These were not Federal issue but a “Yankee” private purchase item and therefore rare among Federal troopers.) Use a surcingle!
SURCINGLES: Federal wool patterns; CS issue or civilian patterns of webbing.
CRUPPERS: On Federal saddles OK but in VERY limited numbers. NOT a CS issue item. No crupper is best.

ACCOUTREMENTS: Prefer....Federal “captured” cavalry items would be most common and best to display uniformity. CS issue if necessary. Predominantly of russet, black or combination leather colors- some enameled cloth. Correct hardware!

WAIST BELT: Prefer...Federal issue variants including infantry belts and cavalry saber belts; CS issue (with CS plate variants, roller buckles, frame buckle variants) of leather and sometimes web; English imports. Saber belts generally a rare item in western cavalry commands (or, at least since sabers were rarely employed ! Consider using belts with horse shoe shaped buckles, roller buckles or, belts with proper western theater brass plate (various), brass or iron framed or wish bone buckles.
CARTRIDGE BOX: Prefer....Federal issue cavalry carbine (i.e. sharps) variants; CS issue infantry contract makers or English imports. CS manufactured cavalry carbine boxes and pistol boxes are rare (avoid)! CS infantry patterns include “issue”, Atlanta, Selma , Macon, Baton Rouge Arsenal, G.N. Wyman (Augusta); Magee and George (N.O.) , and others.
NOTE: there was no such thing as a Confederate issue pistol cartridge box! (Except as private purchase officers items)
CAP BOX: Prefer... Federal issue infantry variants; CS issue infantry contract makers.
CARBINE SLING: Strongly prefer...Federal issue. Correct hardware is paramount!
SLEEPING BLANKET: Confederate issue, civilian (homespun, coverlets, carpet blankets, etc.); Federal issue variants; English (white or grey) imports.
HAVERSACK: Most common: CS issue unpainted or painted cloth or, Federal issue. Inspection reports indicate about 48% of troopers did NOT carry one! Your choice.
CANTEEN: Prefer Federal issues; CS issue wood or tin variants; or occasional British imports. Again, Inspection reports indicate about 52% did NOT carry one!

WEAPONS: NOTE: At the time of Chickamauga Forrest’s Escort carried Sharp’s Carbines. “Defarbed” reproductions only!
LONG ARM: Carbines: Sharps or Burnsides. If you cannot borrow or steal one carry a two band Enfield. Rank and file all carry a carbine!
PISTOL: Only two acceptable....Trooper’s can carry up to two: Colt 36. Navies or the 1860 Army. NO CS manufacture variants or other civilian models allowed. Officer’s: Above or English Kerr or French Lafuchaux
SABER: NONE!

CLOTHING: We are trying to achieve some semblance of uniformity (where possible). However, we are not expecting participants to purchase matching clothing. Each trooper should employ a grey jacket (borrow if you have to) and,“if possible”, a pair of matching pants. All clothing must have proper period pattern construction with hand sewn buttonholes.
HAT: Slouch hat of civilian period patterns and construction. Flat, round, low or high crown; beehive; Mechanics hats; NO Kepis. Slouch hats with edge trim, period lining and sweat band. Pick out a hat that fits your face and personality. NO cowboy conversions! Make your hat look period style, well used. Do NOT copy other reenactors.
JACKET: We are striving to be uniform here......but reasonable. Western AOT shell jacket of Columbus Depot pattern (strongly preferred) or other jacket of plain grey color. All generally of jean cloth, cassimere, or satinette. NO civilian frocks, other coats, jackets etc. NONE!
TROUSERS: Matching to the jacket preferred but not absolutely necessary. CS issue or civilian; All generally of jean cloth, cassimere, or satinette.
SUSPENDERS: Proper period construction. Woven cotton web, embroidered tape, leather, ticking, etc. No elastic. Proper period buckles (no nickel plating).
SHIRT: Civilian homespun or purchase or Federal issue. Civilian patterns and colors in checks, stripes, plaids, solids made of proper material with bone, china, or mother of pearl buttons;
FOOTWEAR: Records indicate issues of “shoes” to Forrest’s Escort. Shoes or boots acceptable. Brogans (CS or Federal issue); Boots: (captured Federal artillery pattern or civilian patterns of proper construction); NO Civilian shoes. NO Old West/Cowboy Shooter boots!
SOCKS & DRAWERS: From home or issue (Commutation). Socks: proper wool or cotton (no elastic). Drawers of cotton flannel, osnaburg, cotton muslin. Proper military or civilian pattern. Nobody sees it but, you “feel” it!
VESTS: Personal preference- not required. Proper period construction either lay down civilian style collar or military stand up collar. Consider plaids, stripes & colors. Jean, satinet etc. Correct civilian or military buttons.
NECK TIES: silk cravats, printed or solid. Tied in period fashion. Limited use.
OVERCOATS: Various period civilian patterns; capes, hooded “Weller” type coat, dyed Federal greatcoats.

HORSES: “Most” accepted. However, no Paints, golden Palominos’s, Appaloosa’s, stallions or “kicking” horses. Current health papers and negative coggins “HOST EVENT MANDATORY & REQUIRED ON-SITE”.


OTHER EQUIPMENT:
OIL CLOTH: CS issue enameled cloth or rubberized Federal issue.
CUP: CS or Federal issue variants.
EATING UTENSILS: TIN PLATE (or canteen half), FORK, POCKET KNIFE, TOOTH BRUSH (bone or wood), BOTTLE (period ceramic): Issue or period patterns ONLY. Small frying pans were “shared”- one to a mess. Kettles, pots & pans were kept in regimental wagons.
HOUSEWIFE: For extra needles, thread, buttons. Numerous period designs available.
SPURS: Federal; Civilian: CS issue patterns (Leech & Rigdon). NO modern patterns or hardware!
NOSE BAG: CS or Federal issue. Many were made early - mid-war by the Southern arsenals but discontinued in early 1863. Hung from saddle or strung in front of horses chest.
CURRY COMB & BRUSH: CS patterns (“shared item” Only about 10% - 15% had them); Federal patterns; Brushes of correct wood or leather backed Federal patterns; Civilian patterns.

PERIOD EXTRA’S: Huck Towel; period soap; handkerchiefs (NOT bandanas); tin containers; knit wool gloves; sleeping cap; pocket watch, tobacco & accessories, etc.

RATIONS: Only period rations “visibly” allowed. Including corn, potatoes, rice, pork, beef, jerky, some vegetables, etc. Please keep “all” rations in period bags, bottles, etc. and refrain from bringing any non-essential, non-period food. However, if you must, keep them hidden.