I have read many books on the silver war, but I don’t ever remember reading all of this very important information. Thank you, I find it very interesting.
Not desiring to sound like a broken record, again, this very video and the previous one on how to place your saddle have aided me and my understanding of Congdon's with how to become not just a reenactor, but a living historian and better trooper. I'm on my way to practice with my gear as you've shared with us via your video. Again, a superb lesson on all counts. My many thanks to you and the 11 OVC.
The practicality of keeping your canteen and haversack on you shows if you had to leave your saddle in a hurry to take cover. Long hot day with no food or water. Maybe more of a concern patrolling the plains and western desert.
Spot on regarding the pin and lariat just drop em in the nosebag! Pointy end down against the leather base of the nosebag....and in a pinch and your saber breaks, you have an instant ready pointy sharp thing accessible.
My 35 years of cavalry reenacting and years in the US Army horse cavalry units alwaysed me to fold my gum blanket broad enough to cover my great coat (to keep it dry) and on the pommel for easy access if caught in a coming storm. You could undo the coat straps, remove the gum blanket and put it on while on the move. NEVER roll you blanket or great coat up in the gumblanket...defeats the purpose of having it.
I am not a reenactor but I do enjoy your videos on how all of these cavalry functions were accomplished. One thing that caught my eye early in this video, during the great coat and bedroll segment, was where your carbine was lying. If your horse had taken a step back and stomped it's hoof it would have snapped the stock off right at the wrist. It seems a bit nitpicking but it would be a nearly impossible field repair to make while on maneuvers.
P MAE, It was held on by straps that connected it to the belt. You can see in this video how the straps were oriented: ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-ijt464O_s-I.html And in this video you can see how it hung: ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-xDUrcccy2GU.html The straps would connect through the rings on the scabbard of the saber. I hope this helps. If not, let me know and I'll try to get you better pictures! Thanks.
Thank you for this video I have been trying to find some extra visual aids for a fictional war story I've been writing this helped me visualize calvary saddles
My two cents on the canteen. Never put it on your horse. If you attach it to the saddle in any fashion that does not beat on the horse or some item of your gear, you cannot access it. Cavalry should be prepared to fight on foot. You don't want to get stuck in an extended firefight in the sun with your canteen 100 yards away on your horse. I tie the strap up short. Just long enough to get it to my mouth without taking it off, the carbine sling will have to be over top of it. It rides under my left arm, clear of the saber, and controlled by the elbow of the rein hand.
Excellent Video again. What about showing and explainig all the horse equipment (saddle, brushes, bridle...) and their official use? Was there a specific manual for horse care?
I’d love to see a video on the saddle size and seat. I do not re enact, but I’d love ride in one. Also I’d love to see how felt is glued and shaped on the saddle to fit the horse. There is currently a carbon fiber saddle on the market with multiple velcro pads that looks very similar to a McCellan to me.
Gary, I personally wear the canteen on my person, thus I don't have a problem with that, but when you do attach it to the pommel or cantle, it does bounce off the horse a bit. It just takes practice for your rig to figure out a way that rides the best.
I wish I had someone to help me packing my saddle like this or videos like this when I was doing civil war cavalry had to learn on my own and when I was just camping with my horse when I am away from the trailer or home base for the weekend
On the canteen, keep it on you and had a little strap to buckle it off to my Saber belt or if on the saddle I out it on rhe OFF side and tucked it into the top of the feed bag and it didn't bounce at all.
Juniorslothsix, it would be no different as if they didn't have all their stuff. Once you ride with all your gear for a few hundred hours, you get pretty used to it. They would react just the same. I strongly recommend you read any number of great regimental histories of Federal Cavalry during the war. They are a fun read!
As a monumental Civil War buff, I love all these videos. It's great to actually see the primary sources and realize that no matter what era we look at, soldiers are soldiers and they will always improvise.
Robert, that is answered in the next video in the series which talks about why many troopers dropped items or didn't use them. As far as a breast collar, it wasn't an issued item, thus each soldier would have to determine if he wanted to buy one for himself. Many of the ones you see in photos for the rank and file are surcingles used under the quarter-straps and around the front of the horse. No crupper because it was an excess item that was issued but for many was deemed non-essential (per "Lessons of a decade" book). As to running martingales, those were very common but it was not an issue item, thus each soldier would have to determine if he wanted to buy one with his own money. They seem to be popular for NCO's and officers, but the average rank and file didn't seem to have them in large numbers.
@@11thovc True, many did drop gear they didn't need. But with a McClellan saddle. And I had used one for years... breast collar was so critical. Anyway.. Thanks for the reply.
@@robertcole9391 It is more important on some horses than others. I used a surcingle for years as a breast collar. Ran the billet under the quarter straps, and pulled the buckle end around the front, so only canvas was on the horse (looks better that way). Worked perfect, and looked pretty good too.
@@olddammike When it comes to a McClellan, I always use a circingle, breast collar and crupper. It's just for safety. As for the 'running martingales' it's in case I drop the reigns for reloading, etc. Something I learned doing pack trips in Colorado. Most groups say they don't need them for the show. But you do. As it is historically accurate. Things can get a bit extreme without notice. So best to have them. Thanks for the reply. Happy trails to you.
First off, Cavalry don't go 'solo.' Just as with the Infantry, they would be issued rations, typically three days worth, and ammunition. Hopefully supply would catch up with them for ammunition and food as needed while on campaign. Tentage was not typically carried on campaign. If it rained you got wet. If supply failed, you went hungry.
Well im glad i live in these covid times....if i need to move all my gear , clothes ,ect i just put it all in a trash bag.....its water proof ....it comes in black or white and sure makes a good pillow.
dude, never put your rifle where the horse can step on it. I cant tell you how many hunting clients Ive had to repeat this endlessly too. one step is all it takes to ruin your day. Interesting, you see modern horse people putting everything behind the saddle and I think that is not the best for the horse