Role of Saddler

[benjaminmcgee]

Hello,

A quick question, what was a saddlers function in a Calvary outfit? Was their role limited to maintinence of tack? Did they fight with there respective unit or were they held back in combat?

Thanks!

Benjamin McGee

[Mark Choate]

Re: Role of Saddler

Hi Benjamin,

It is my humble understanding that just as with the case of the unit's farrier, the saddler was there to perform a specific task, that of overall tack maintence and repair. While they were not formally numbered and assigned a position of combat, I honestly do not know if they were armed or not.

Hope this is of some help,

Mark

[OldKingCrow]

Re: Role of Saddler

Mr. McGee:

PM inbound with National troop saddler period pic and info.

CJ Rideout
Tampa, Florida

[Andrew German]

Re: Role of Saddler

Greetings Benjamin,

On the federal side, I believe a saddler was what was termed an extra-duty man. Kautz's Customs of Service says saddlers were paid $14 per month, like corporals. "Military duty ordinarily is not required of either saddler sergeants [the master saddler who oversaw the company saddlers] or saddlers; but they should be instructed in a knowledge of the ordinary duties, and should at all times be available in case of necessity." [item 245, pp. 78-79]

So it would be a matter of unit preference, and in the field they might well be fighting in the ranks.

Hope this helps a little.

Andrew German

[John E. Tobey]

Re: Role of Saddler

Another common job for saddlers was the maintenance of canvas items -- tents, wagon covers etc.. A search in regimental records at the NARA for ordnance "cheat sheets" will show that some extra duty men were armed with pistol and saber only, and the rest of the men with saber, pistol and carbine. Bear in mind, however, that equipping extra- and special-duty men was a topic that puzzled even the original colonels. The colonel of the 11th PA, for example, had to write to higher authorities to ask how to arm these guys (buglers, ambulance drivers, packers, orderlies, etc..) in 1865. For what it's worth, this particular officer intended to arm every man doing duty in the regiment except 1st Sergeants and buglers with saber and carbine, and only the sergeants got pistols (there was a shortage of revolvers in this particular outfit).

John Tobey