Hold Your Scabbard!

[Chad Wrinn]

Does anyone have documentation of Confederate Officers carrying their sword scabbard in the hand instead of on a sword belt?
Thanks,

[csabugler]

Re: Hold Your Scabbard!

I suspect people will post with documentation, But I think that not wanting to trip and fall all tied up in that dangly knife in front of your men will prove to be one of those "common sense" issues that were adopted, like not wearing your haversack down to your knees.;)

[C.R. Henderson]

Re: Hold Your Scabbard!

It's been said a million times---Look at pictures from the period being portrayed. Simple enough (this falls under the K.I.S.S rule).

I carry mine while marching and usually have it hooked to the drags but not on the hook- I hate that damned hook. When I want to, I'll take the scabbard off the drags to march. From the photos of officers I have looked at, not many (maybe 25%) are pictured with the scabbard hooked on the large hook while the rest are either carrying the scabbard on the drags or are cradling the sword/scabbard (these cradled pics are from seated pics taken in the studio). Go to the LOC and other websites, look at your EOG (if you have it/them), and go to your local Library and see what you can dig up- it'll be fun!

[Chad Wrinn]

Re: Hold Your Scabbard!

I've looked at many pictures but I can't identity if they are holding them and wearing an enlist waist belt or a sword belt.

[LeftCoastYank]

Re: Hold Your Scabbard!

I've seen so many officers trip and fall on scabbards over the years - they're rather awkward to wear on the belt hook when marching. I used to leave the scabbard attached to the drags and hold the thing w/. my left hand whenever moveing fast or through rough ground.

I've actually always wondered if perhaps swords were not carried on active campaign; I've never found any reference to this, though. Has anybody ever come across references to swords being left behind?

Dave, please remember to sign your full name to ALL your posts. Thanks. Patrick Craddock, AC Mod.

[Old Overholt]

Re: Hold Your Scabbard!

In Army Life of an Illinois Soldier, Major Charles W. Wills' of the 103rd Illinois writes in his diary for March 12, 1865:

"Fayetteville, N.C... We are camped a couple of miles from town. Marched about 13 miles to-day. Had to put down pontoons at both branches of Rockfish creek...In the last 23 days the commissary has issued only two and one-half days' of bread. I lost my sword to-day. Left it where we stopped for dinner. We have lost so much sleep of late that at every halt half the command is asleep in a minute. I lay down and told them not to wake me for dinner nor until the regiment moved. The regiment had started when Frank woke me, and I got on my horse too stupid to think of anything. Did not miss my sword for five miles, when I went back for, but no use."

Wills was promoted to major during the Carolinas campaign and clearly hung on to his sword in the midst of very hard campaigning. Perhaps being mounted made a difference and you can't infer a whole lot from his account as to what other officers may have been doing. Still, an interesting account and Wills' clearly valued his sword enough to personally ride 5 miles back to look for it, then turn around and ride more than 5 miles to rejoin his regiment. Some importance must have been placed on swords, even if just as badges of rank.

[fedcampaigner]

Re: Hold Your Scabbard!

I think the choice to carry the sword or use the hanger is the individual officer's preference. When I was adjutant I often carried my sword on the march and used the hanger in the field. Many times I found myself high-tailing it and held the scabbard to keep from tripping on the damned thing. On page 79 of the Union EoG there is a picture of the 7th NY Cav. The officers in the foreground appear to have their sabers on the hanger. However, other pictures(p. 117) show officers with their swords on the drags. I don't think there is a defined answer to this question.

[Tom Craig]

Re: Hold Your Scabbard!

Gents,

Except for Aaron's reply, all the responses here have been anecdotal or specualtive in nature, so why not add to the pile...

As a long time cavalry reenactor who has worn a sabre (longer and heavier than the infantry officer swords) for many years, I don't think that actual CW officers would have had a problem living with their swords. Wearing it and not tripping over it is just a matter of becoming accustomed to it, and knowing how to wear it/hang it properly from your belt. I've crossed all manner of terrain and managed a horse from the ground and never found the sabre to be a problem.

That said, I for one would like to see more period accounts and a little less speculation.

Take care,
Tom Craig

[Bushrod Carter]

Re: Hold Your Scabbard!

Ok, here are my two cents worth...

FIRST, IF an officers knows HOW to wear his sword, attached to the hook, he WILL NOT trip nor fall! There IS a CORRECT way to do this!

Second: Look at the "Officers Three" photo. Those dudes stopped during a march and had a photo op. Check it out.

[john duffer]

Re: Hold Your Scabbard!

"FIRST, IF an officers knows HOW to wear his sword, attached to the hook, he WILL NOT trip nor fall! There IS a CORRECT way to do this!"

Marse Craddock just said a mouthfull. If memory serves the regs say the sword 'is to be hooked up on duty'. While I think this would be relaxed at route step there's really no problem with marching hooked up. You keep the left hand on the scabbard and tilt it forward, it quickly becomes second nature to tilt it higher to clear obstacles. The most difficult thing I've encountered is going up steep steps. A real advantage (to me) is that when you halt you have both hands free.

[elcid01]

Re: Hold Your Scabbard!

carry the sword, then on stops to provide "free Hands" use the hanger...

The 3x Fed officers in the photo are all wearing Sword Belts and have their sword in hand.

or as seen in the second photo of the officer inspecting a USCT at FT Wagner Chas SC, he is using the sword hanger to allow for both hands free in ispection of arms. Now wether he is using the straps and the hanger or just the hanger is undetermined.

cheers

[Stefan]

Re: Hold Your Scabbard!

If I could throw in another anecdote:

When I was an adjutant, I had it on the hook, usually tilted it forward or back to keep myself from tripping up. Other times I would just carry it on the hangars and run with it in hand.