Photo: A "Sesesh" Horse?

[Ken Knopp]

I found this photo in the CW photo collection of the LOC. It is labeled,
"Capt. Perkins Sesesh horse captured at Corwallis Cave". I remember seeing this photo years ago but finally "re-discovered" it. Is anyone familiar with its origins or the caption's veracity?
Its a fairly clear photo. If it is "captured" horse, as to the horse equipments my observations of the saddlery certainly lean to a Federal saddle as I note the shape of the saddle pommel, cantle and the frame stirrup strap buckle. On the other hand, the head gear and martingale are certainly not Federal issue. I might add the horse looks more like "Virginia" stock than "Yankee" but thats just an off hand comment. He kinda reminds me of "Arab" from that great post war reminiscence "Autobiography of Arab" by E. Prioleau Herderson. A great read I might add.
Anyway, I always thought this was kinda an interesting photo. Any photos of mounted Confederates or just their "mounts" are rare so does anybody have any knowledge on this photo they can share? Thank you!

Ken R Knopp

https://www.confederatesaddles.com

[littleforkranger]

Re: Photo: A "Sesesh" Horse?

Ken,

This is a "crop" of a photo found in a book entitled "The Cavalry, The Photographic History of the Civil War" edited by Theo E. Rodenbough. I believe I have the full image on a disc, I will forward it to you to post. It also contains a rather large caption with a lot more info.

[ButtermilkRanger]

Re: Photo: A "Sesesh" Horse?

Ken,

I have the book as well. You're welcome to borrow it if you'd like. Just let me know. As for the pic, does it mention that the equipage is captured, or just a "secesh" horse? It could be that the saddle belongs to the officer standing in the pic looking rather nonchalant. Notice his spurs?

Just a thought.

[markj]

Re: Photo: A "Sesesh" Horse?

I'm more interested in "Cornwallis' Cave." A modern view of the cave, which is located off of Water Street in Yorktown VA, not far from the modern NPS visitor center, can be seen here:

http://www.yorkcounty.gov/ychc/virtour/cave.htm

Here is a closer view of the entrance, which may, in fact, be the very same entry way (albeit improved and widened) apparently visible in the 1860's image:

http://flickr.com/photos/8348059@N02/1609144226/

Here is a map of Cornwallis' cave in relation to other historic locations in Yorktown:

http://www.yorkcounty.gov/ychc/virtour/virtual_.htm

Check it out,

Mark Jaeger

[Ken Knopp]

Re: Photo: A "Sesesh" Horse?

Stephen Dunn asked me to post the remainder of this image. I believe, he has some additional information that came along with the photo.
Although I see this now at horse shows all of the time it would seem this may be one of the first "posed" horses captured on film with its "poser" in action.
Your right, the Yank Captain may be Capt Perkins with his equipments on his "captured" horse? Quite a nice looking grey don't you think?

Thank you Stephen!


Ken R Knopp

https://www.confederatesaddles.com

[littleforkranger]

Re: Caption

Here's the entire caption, I presume written by Rodenbough, page 81.....

A Confederate Horse At An Historic Virginia Spot, in May 1862

"When 61 came, the young men in the north were to be found rather at commercial and indoor pursuits, as compared to those in the South. There the appeal of country life appealed in preference, and the rifle and saddle were more familiar than the counting-house. Thus the Confederate cavalryman saw nothing wrong in the proposition that they should furnish their own mounts throughout the war. The name of the beautiful horse in this photograph was 'Secesh'. Its upright ears and alert expression of interest in the man who is waving his hat in the foreground, to make it look at the camera, proves it is a 'well-bred' animal. 'Secesh' was captured by the Federals in 1862 at Yorktown, and the spot where the photograph was taken is historic. It is the cave excavated in the marl bluff by Cornwallis in 1781, for secret councils."