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Re: Going to the hospital
At the risk of sounding arrogant and presenting "theories" without documentation I will try to answer the question. However, please understand the following “concepts” are taken from my memory of reading literally hundreds of Confederate cavalry trooper's letters, diaries and reminicences over many years so, honestly, I just cannot remember exactly where I have read this stuff. As such, my comments are opinions presented as generalities so please don’t ask me to cite chapter and verse. I just don't have it and I must ask prior forgiveness from everyone for not citing sources. Nevertheless, if you want a bibliography of this type reading you will find a fairly developed list of my source material on my web site www.confederatesaddles.com ....under.... "Diaries and Reminiscences". I have read nearly everyone of these.
Here goes,.....When a horse expired (wounds or sickness) the trooper was sent to company "Q" (and eventually receipted its value by the government- this often took time and quite often was not enough to buy the next horse) until he could obtain another. He might languish in Co. Q for awhile (from a lack of funds or through indifference). Or, he might quickly purchase another horse or get a furlough to go home to get one or, temporarily borrow one. I remember all of the above happening but several instances of other troopers selling their horses to those in need or, when wanting to "trade up". It was common practice. Remember, horses were private property. So, a trooper might "occasionally" have more than one from capture (selling his personal horse by capture of another) or have another one from home or just want to get a better one. One trooper in particular I remember reading about seem to make a "living" out of selling horses during the war. His letters (or diary entries) were always telling about owning, capturing or “pressing” this and that horse and then selling it. His entries often included prices (I might add prices that escalated dramatically from early to the end of the war).
Unserviceable horses (wounded, sick, lame that would likely recover) were kept in the rear (at a private farm or home), in camp or sent home. Later in the war unserviceable horses were often sent well into the rear to “recruit” back to health at government sponsored recruitment camps.
As for sick troopers, well, my reading suggests that while convalescing a trooper’s horse (again private property) was either privately sold by him, sent home or “borrowed” by others in the command depending upon the circumstances of his convalescence. In any event, they were not left un-used. In my opinion, as horses became scarce I doubt that healthy, sound horses (despite their being private property) would be relegated to camp when they were needed in the field. I don’t have anything off hand to back up this part of my comments but it just makes sense to me. Also as horses became more scarce they were often stolen. As such they had to be jealously guarded by their owners, others in the command and servants. Even officers horses.
After some thought on the matter, I think this issue of horses appears to be handled a bit different in the early war, mid war and later war periods (again as scarcity grew and decorum fell by the wayside) and.....very different in the ANV vs. the cavalry commands in the west. The east tended to be a bit more civil about it as noted above. Out west, it was very much more a matter of necessity. Private horses were respected but captured horses were another matter. Captured or confiscated horses were a large part of N.B. Forrest’s horse supply. In Forrest's command dismounted troopers (conscripts and volunteers) were organized into a "Dismounted Brigade". They marched into the field or were detailed as a group to the wagon train. Captured horses were sent to them for remounts. I note here that Forrest's Escort (and his officers and artillery) always got first pick of the captured horses. His Escort (strike force) in particular was always the best mounted, armed and equipped. Hard fighting units like his Texans (Ross's Brigade) also seemed to find a way to get the pick of the best horses before going to the dismounted unit or conscripts. This practice occasionally caused discontent.
The “good” trooper did not want to loose his horse and went to great pains to take protect him. To replace him was difficult and an expense that they often could not afford. To be sent to Company “Q” or into the infantry was so abhorrent that it was avoided at almost all costs. As the war went on I note that the veteran trooper also seemed to instinctively know how far to push his horse on the march, how close to get to the enemy (fear of "wounding" his horse) and when to “retreat”. Fear of being “un-horsed” was dreaded and with it the distinction if not dis-honor, of being set “afoot”. There was also a reflection that the “horse-less” trooper (those still dedicated to the cause or command at least) would also not be “there” for his “pards” when needed most in the next fight.
Some officer’s were adamant about taking care of the horses too. Sometimes as much or more than their troops. I remember reading a story told by one trooper riding on a long, all night march.....sitting by the road side was N.B Forrest carefully observing each trooper as they rode by and making occasional encouraging comments. The trooper in question had carelessly let his blanket slip back under the saddle a bit too far exposing the horse’s back to ruin. Forrest called him to the roadside and sternly upbraided him, making him dismount but carefully showing him the proper manner to adjust the blanket so it would not again slip. Several weeks later, again on the march the same trooper rode by Forrest and again, displaying the same lack of care and attention had let his blanket slip under the saddle. This time Forrest was not so lenient. He literally jerked the trooper out of the saddle ordering him to fix his blanket and saddle saying “I can replace you easier than I can this horse. If I ever see you again like this I WILL KILL you!” The trooper knew Forrest meant what he said. For the rest of the war he was careful to NEVER let his blanket slip again!
Forgive me for going so long. I don’t know if I answered your question but I had fun. Thanks.
Ken R Knopp
At the risk of sounding arrogant and presenting "theories" without documentation I will try to answer the question. However, please understand the following “concepts” are taken from my memory of reading literally hundreds of Confederate cavalry trooper's letters, diaries and reminicences over many years so, honestly, I just cannot remember exactly where I have read this stuff. As such, my comments are opinions presented as generalities so please don’t ask me to cite chapter and verse. I just don't have it and I must ask prior forgiveness from everyone for not citing sources. Nevertheless, if you want a bibliography of this type reading you will find a fairly developed list of my source material on my web site www.confederatesaddles.com ....under.... "Diaries and Reminiscences". I have read nearly everyone of these.
Here goes,.....When a horse expired (wounds or sickness) the trooper was sent to company "Q" (and eventually receipted its value by the government- this often took time and quite often was not enough to buy the next horse) until he could obtain another. He might languish in Co. Q for awhile (from a lack of funds or through indifference). Or, he might quickly purchase another horse or get a furlough to go home to get one or, temporarily borrow one. I remember all of the above happening but several instances of other troopers selling their horses to those in need or, when wanting to "trade up". It was common practice. Remember, horses were private property. So, a trooper might "occasionally" have more than one from capture (selling his personal horse by capture of another) or have another one from home or just want to get a better one. One trooper in particular I remember reading about seem to make a "living" out of selling horses during the war. His letters (or diary entries) were always telling about owning, capturing or “pressing” this and that horse and then selling it. His entries often included prices (I might add prices that escalated dramatically from early to the end of the war).
Unserviceable horses (wounded, sick, lame that would likely recover) were kept in the rear (at a private farm or home), in camp or sent home. Later in the war unserviceable horses were often sent well into the rear to “recruit” back to health at government sponsored recruitment camps.
As for sick troopers, well, my reading suggests that while convalescing a trooper’s horse (again private property) was either privately sold by him, sent home or “borrowed” by others in the command depending upon the circumstances of his convalescence. In any event, they were not left un-used. In my opinion, as horses became scarce I doubt that healthy, sound horses (despite their being private property) would be relegated to camp when they were needed in the field. I don’t have anything off hand to back up this part of my comments but it just makes sense to me. Also as horses became more scarce they were often stolen. As such they had to be jealously guarded by their owners, others in the command and servants. Even officers horses.
After some thought on the matter, I think this issue of horses appears to be handled a bit different in the early war, mid war and later war periods (again as scarcity grew and decorum fell by the wayside) and.....very different in the ANV vs. the cavalry commands in the west. The east tended to be a bit more civil about it as noted above. Out west, it was very much more a matter of necessity. Private horses were respected but captured horses were another matter. Captured or confiscated horses were a large part of N.B. Forrest’s horse supply. In Forrest's command dismounted troopers (conscripts and volunteers) were organized into a "Dismounted Brigade". They marched into the field or were detailed as a group to the wagon train. Captured horses were sent to them for remounts. I note here that Forrest's Escort (and his officers and artillery) always got first pick of the captured horses. His Escort (strike force) in particular was always the best mounted, armed and equipped. Hard fighting units like his Texans (Ross's Brigade) also seemed to find a way to get the pick of the best horses before going to the dismounted unit or conscripts. This practice occasionally caused discontent.
The “good” trooper did not want to loose his horse and went to great pains to take protect him. To replace him was difficult and an expense that they often could not afford. To be sent to Company “Q” or into the infantry was so abhorrent that it was avoided at almost all costs. As the war went on I note that the veteran trooper also seemed to instinctively know how far to push his horse on the march, how close to get to the enemy (fear of "wounding" his horse) and when to “retreat”. Fear of being “un-horsed” was dreaded and with it the distinction if not dis-honor, of being set “afoot”. There was also a reflection that the “horse-less” trooper (those still dedicated to the cause or command at least) would also not be “there” for his “pards” when needed most in the next fight.
Some officer’s were adamant about taking care of the horses too. Sometimes as much or more than their troops. I remember reading a story told by one trooper riding on a long, all night march.....sitting by the road side was N.B Forrest carefully observing each trooper as they rode by and making occasional encouraging comments. The trooper in question had carelessly let his blanket slip back under the saddle a bit too far exposing the horse’s back to ruin. Forrest called him to the roadside and sternly upbraided him, making him dismount but carefully showing him the proper manner to adjust the blanket so it would not again slip. Several weeks later, again on the march the same trooper rode by Forrest and again, displaying the same lack of care and attention had let his blanket slip under the saddle. This time Forrest was not so lenient. He literally jerked the trooper out of the saddle ordering him to fix his blanket and saddle saying “I can replace you easier than I can this horse. If I ever see you again like this I WILL KILL you!” The trooper knew Forrest meant what he said. For the rest of the war he was careful to NEVER let his blanket slip again!
Forgive me for going so long. I don’t know if I answered your question but I had fun. Thanks.
Ken R Knopp
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