Caltrops

[Wagonrider]

Perhaps this belongs in the cavalry discussion. I am curious for opinions or citings as to whether these were actually tools of war during the WBTS or toys(as in jacks) . I have three ,two which are of the same design and another that is of a different design. Your input is appreciated. - K.Hanson

[AZReenactor]

Re: Caltrops

I know they are mentioned in fortification manuals and were employed by Gage during the revolution but couldn't find any directreference to Civil War use.

The Military Hand-book and Soldier's Manual of Information By Orville James Victor, New York 1862.

Caltrops, or Crow's Feet. Pieces of iron having four points, so disposed that three of them always rest upon the ground, and the fourth stands upward in a perpendicular direction. Each point is three or four inches long. They are scattered over the ground and passages where the enemy is expected to march, especially the cavalry, in order to embarrass their progress.

I did find this page that suggest there are no references and were not used.

And while I dind't find any reference in the ORs to Caltrop I did find this letter suggesting the deployment of "Crow's Feet" in Florida during the war.

ORs Series 1 - Volume 34 (Part II)

HEADQUARTERS U. S. FORCES,
Matagorda Peninsula, January 25, 1864.

Brig. Gen. W. P. BENTON,
Commanding Post at Indianola:

You will immediately proceed to the work of fortifying your position at Indianola, and make it as strong as possible against attack, both by land and water, and calculating not on a larger garrison than you now have with you, but possibly a smaller one. You will erect a strong battery on the high shell bank near the hospital, which we stood on yesterday, large enough for four guns; also a battery large enough for three guns on the high front, across the first bayou above the town on the left of the road, which I showed you yesterday, making one face for three guns, looking up toward Oldtown, and nearly perpendicular to the road, and another nearly parallel to the water on the left, with room for three guns to sweep the plain in front of your position; and another high one on the right to cover the guns from a cannonade from the water, and where two guns might be mounted. These works are to be strengthened by rifle-pits.

You will also erect a work in the lower end of the town, having it as much masked as possible, and capable of using two guns toward the bay and two toward the land approaches, and also some small masked covers in the town, which, with their guns, will best command the channel. You will also industriously strengthen your position in addition to the above by such works as in your judgment are suitable. You are also directed to push out your infantry vedettes, to be sent from your main picket force, at least half a mile in your front, beyond the bayou near the bridge at the old City Hospital, and stretching across the plain from water to water. This line of vedettes is merely for lookouts and to give an alarm by firing on the approach of a hostile force, and thereby calling out the picket reserve, who will hold the attacking force in check at all hazards. A discreet officer will always be posted in command of the picket reserve at the bridge near the hospital, and this bridge and the one below will be left prepared for immediate and entire destruction in case an attempt is made to force a passage.

In addition to the line of - infantry vedettes above mentioned (whose posts and places ought to be changed each day), you will, about dusk every evening, send out a few mounted vedettes half a, mile beyond them, to keep a lookout by moving around occasionally, and who will come in at daylight, and their place be supplied in the, daytime by a small mounted patrol, which will move about the front, a few times each day. A lookout will constantly be kept at the sig-, nal station on the top of the house, to notify you the moment a force, is seen approaching, and to keep you advised of what is going on in, your front at a distance of 2 or 3 miles, and your whole command, will be kept constantly on the alert, and ready to be turned out, under arms at a moment’s notice. In the defense of a place like Indianola there are many arrangements which can be made, such as, obstructions to cavalry like troups des coups, crows-feet, ditches, &c., which readily suggest themselves to the ingenuities of a commanding officer, and which cannot be specified in written instructions. I, rely on your activity and industry to make your post perfectly defensible by a small garrison—say 1,500 men, probably—against a, large force., In addition to the company of the Second Engineers, Corps, d’Afrique, which has for some days been under orders to report to, you, another company of the same regiment will be sent you. These, companies are to work in entrenchments and such other work in their, p roper sphere as may be required of them. From reports I have, heard of them their work heretofore has lagged so much as to dis-, credit their officers. I rely on you to discipline and control the officers so that they shall work them more than full quantity. I have, also ordered another of the 30-pounder Parrott guns to report to, you. No report has as yet been received here relation to the capture of the 5 men of whom you spoke yesterday. I wish you would, inquire into this and have a duplicate sent. I have ordered that all, dispatches from here to you shall be sent by an orderly or a staff, officer, and you will make the same arrangement.

I have the honor to remain, with respect,

N. J. T. DANA,
Major-General.

[Wagonrider]

Re: Caltrops

Thanks for the response and references. Mr. Savage gives good reasons for his disbelief as to the use of these during of the war.However,with the reference given by yourself from the Military Handbook and Soldiers Manual Of Information, can we say with authority that these were not used? The North/South Trader has these listed. Not to say that this is by any means definitive proof. What I am looking for is the difference between "jacks" and caltrops (horse cripplers). Is there a difference between those used during the WBTS and WWI? What are those differences? The sizes of the "caltrops" I have range from 1.25 to 2.0". ; not the 3or 4 " that is referenced in Mr. Victors' manual. This leads me to beleive that what I have are "jacks". However the odd "jack" looks more military than the others. Sign me off as more confused than I was before. - K. Hanson (can e-mail pics)

[UnicornForge]

Re: Caltrops

I would appreciate seeing photographs of your "caltrops".

Thank you,
David Einhorn

.....The sizes of the "caltrops" I have range from 1.25 to 2.0". ; not the 3or 4 " that is referenced in Mr. Victors' manual. This leads me to beleive that what I have are "jacks". However the odd "jack" looks more military than the others. Sign me off as more confused than I was before. - K. Hanson (can e-mail pics)

[ButtermilkRanger]

Re: Caltrops

I'm very curious to see a photograph of the caltrops as well. The Confederate museum at Camp Moore, Louisiana has some caltrops on display, that they claim to have ID'd to the WTBS, but I haven't seen the documentation. I have seen the "horse cripplers" though. These are more in the neighborhood of 2" than 4" in size, though.

[Wagonrider]

Re: Caltrops

I would be happy to send photos of the caltrops,however I have not accumulated enough posts in this forum to allow postimg images. If you would like to see these , just PM your E-mail and I will send the photos. - Kevin Hanson

[Peachfuz]

Re: Caltrops

There are several on display at the White Oak Museum. To me, they almost look like three cut nails that have been soldered together. I don’t have pictures and I can’t remember exactly where D.P. found them, but if you call and ask, I’m sure he’ll be happy to chew your ear off (540-371-4234).

[Ken Knopp]

Re: Caltrops

Gents,

Here is a photo that I "borrowed" years ago from a dealer's site. I also have a large one in my collection that appears a bit different than this. Sorry, I have no photo. Its currently sitting on my desk at work for use as a "stress reliever" when I talk on the phone.
I have seen one or two over the years that are "reputed" to have been excavated from CW sites but never seen or heard of their use in contemporary documents. I am not sure what to make of them.

Ken R Knopp

https://www.confederatesaddles.com

[ButtermilkRanger]

Re: Caltrops

Ken,

Thanks for the pic. The one in your hand is nearly identical to the ones at Camp Moore, but they may be a tad bit larger. I'm unsure what to make of them as well. I have yet to run across a period primary source that mentions them being used during the war. Seems to me that something like that would have been mentioned at least once in someone's memoirs or diary.

[Wagonrider]

Re: Caltrops

Maybe these went the same route as Remingtons' 1863 Contract Rifle. :) K. Hanson

[AZReenactor]

The six sided item is what the article I posted argues are "jacks" since none of the prongs will point up. It seems most caltrops have 4 points arranged so that one always points upward.

These photos are just for an example and not necessarily ACW items, more likely WWI vintage.

[fahtz]

Re: Caltrops

Here is a link I hunted down...it is an OPINION, but seems to go the same route we all are about caltrops.

http://www.bivouacbooks.com/bbv7i2s6.htm