Tweet
I hope the moderators will allow me to promote an opportunity for reenactors, historians and cavalry enthusiasts to view some rare Confederate saddles and horse equipment artifacts. The following is a news release about the Ft. Pillow Tenn. Living History event that will feature a unique gathering of rare saddles and horse equipment as well as some talks that would, I believe, be of interest to readers of this forum. ................
Thank you! Ken R. Knopp
FT. PILLOW TENN. LIVING HISTORY EVENT TO FEATURE SIGNIFICANT COLLECTION OF CONFEDERATE CAVALRY ARTIFACTS
AND TALKS BY HISTORIANS
The Ft. Pillow State Historic Site will host an unusually large exhibition of rare Confederate horse equipment artifacts and a seminar by historian Ken R Knopp, author of two books on Confederate artifacts at their 140th Anniversary Living History Weekend April 17-18. The exhibit and talk will fit well into the interpretive role of the Ft. Pillow State Historic Park and Museum which tells the April 12 , 1864 story of the decisive victory and ensuing controversy of Gen. Nathan Bedford Forrest’s Confederate Cavalry over the Federal garrison at Ft Pillow which included Black Union soldiers.
This unique exhibit offers a sample of Confederate material culture as it relates to the primary means of transportation for 19th century cavalry- the horse. This is particularly true in this battle where Forrest’s forces had to ride many miles in a short period of time to be brought into the fight at Ft Pillow. The artifacts from two private collections that specialize in Civil War horse equipment will include several Confederate saddles, dozens of Confederate officer’s and trooper’s bits, a home spun saddle blanket, horse shoeing and grooming implements, imported British military bits and stirrups and other rare horse equipment of Confederate manufacture and use.
The center piece of the exhibition will be a rare opportunity to view a display of the three main saddles the Confederacy produced; an original Jenifer, McClellen and Texas saddle will be on hand as well as a large collection of scarce Confederate bridle bits including hand forged patterns made by the Confederacy for trooper’s, officer’s bits and imported British bits. Another rare artifact on display will be an 1856 British Army Universal Pattern Saddle. This is one of the two patterns of British saddles that were purchased by the Confederacy from England then shipped to the South for sale to its officers. Quite rare, less than ten of these saddles survive anywhere in the world. Of significant note is that these artifacts will represent the nation’s single largest public gathering of Confederate saddlery outside the Museum of the Confederacy in Richmond Virginia.
Knopp is the author of two books. The first, “Confederate Saddles & Horse Equipment” published in 2001, was critically acclaimed as the first complete study of the subject of “how” and with “what” the South equipped its mounted forces. His most recently published book “Made in the C.S.A., Saddle Makers of the Confederacy” is a continuation of the study of Confederate manufacture of this equipment and surviving artifacts. His talk will include a presentation on the arms, accoutrements, horse equipment and clothing typically used by Forrest’s troopers at this time of the war.
Another aspect of his talk will be about one of the most overlooked and yet interesting facts of the war. That is, how the South went from an agrarian economy almost devoid of industrial infrastructure to equip a huge military machine and field an army several hundred thousand strong. At the beginning of the war the South had no army, no military arms or equipment, few large factories and less than half of the rail transportation as did the North and, because the South imported nearly all of its iron and most of its skilled labor, had very little industrial manufacturing capacity to make more. Yet, incredibly in less than two years and, in the middle of a war, they had in operation over 40 arsenals and ordnance facilities, hundreds of foundries, tanneries, mines, machine shops and mills manufacturing small arms, ammunition, powder, cannon, uniforms, saddlery, blankets in addition to feeding the troops in the field. A unique story of ingenuity, work ethic and administration that is wonderfully American in its scope and success.
The battle of Ft. Pillow was fought in the spring of 1864 as Confederate General Nathan Bedford Forrest was raiding in Federal occupied West Tennessee. Forrest, desiring to capture much needed horses and put an end to the deprivations imposed upon locals by the Tennessee Unionists occupying Ft. Pillow, invested then overwhelmed the fort in a fierce, bloody battle. Controversy arose over the killing of white and black troops in the immediate aftermath of the battle. Sectional hatred, blunders by commanders on both sides, the heat of battle and deep-seated racial divisions created by the war culminated in needless bloodshed that can only be described as excessive.
One hundred and forty years later, preservation of the battlefield and interpretation of the battle continues. The living history event seeks to honor those that fought and died there as an important part of understanding the history of the war in West Tennessee, people of that time period and its meaning to Americans today. The event will include Living History encampments, skirmishes, Military and civilian demonstrations, children’s events and more. In addition to Knopp’s two talks other lectures will include; “Nathan Bedford Forrest’s Life and Military Career” by Dr Lonnie Maness and a presentation about the role of the United Stated Colored Troops in the war by members of the 54th Massachusetts reeanctment group.
The 1,642 acre Fort Pillow Park is rich in both historic and archaeological significance. In 1861, the Confederate Army built the extensive fortifications here on the Mississippi River and named the site for General Gideon J Pillow of Tennessee. Because of its strategic location, the fort was taken by the Union Army who controlled it for most of the war. Remains of the earthworks are well preserved. The park Interpretive Center. Museum is open daily year round with no entrance fee. Visitors will find displays of Civil War artifacts, and interpretive displays. There is a 12 minute video on the battle. Tours of the museum and restored fortifications are available upon request. https://www.state.tn.us/environment/...rks/FortPillow
-30-
Thank you! Ken R. Knopp
FT. PILLOW TENN. LIVING HISTORY EVENT TO FEATURE SIGNIFICANT COLLECTION OF CONFEDERATE CAVALRY ARTIFACTS
AND TALKS BY HISTORIANS
The Ft. Pillow State Historic Site will host an unusually large exhibition of rare Confederate horse equipment artifacts and a seminar by historian Ken R Knopp, author of two books on Confederate artifacts at their 140th Anniversary Living History Weekend April 17-18. The exhibit and talk will fit well into the interpretive role of the Ft. Pillow State Historic Park and Museum which tells the April 12 , 1864 story of the decisive victory and ensuing controversy of Gen. Nathan Bedford Forrest’s Confederate Cavalry over the Federal garrison at Ft Pillow which included Black Union soldiers.
This unique exhibit offers a sample of Confederate material culture as it relates to the primary means of transportation for 19th century cavalry- the horse. This is particularly true in this battle where Forrest’s forces had to ride many miles in a short period of time to be brought into the fight at Ft Pillow. The artifacts from two private collections that specialize in Civil War horse equipment will include several Confederate saddles, dozens of Confederate officer’s and trooper’s bits, a home spun saddle blanket, horse shoeing and grooming implements, imported British military bits and stirrups and other rare horse equipment of Confederate manufacture and use.
The center piece of the exhibition will be a rare opportunity to view a display of the three main saddles the Confederacy produced; an original Jenifer, McClellen and Texas saddle will be on hand as well as a large collection of scarce Confederate bridle bits including hand forged patterns made by the Confederacy for trooper’s, officer’s bits and imported British bits. Another rare artifact on display will be an 1856 British Army Universal Pattern Saddle. This is one of the two patterns of British saddles that were purchased by the Confederacy from England then shipped to the South for sale to its officers. Quite rare, less than ten of these saddles survive anywhere in the world. Of significant note is that these artifacts will represent the nation’s single largest public gathering of Confederate saddlery outside the Museum of the Confederacy in Richmond Virginia.
Knopp is the author of two books. The first, “Confederate Saddles & Horse Equipment” published in 2001, was critically acclaimed as the first complete study of the subject of “how” and with “what” the South equipped its mounted forces. His most recently published book “Made in the C.S.A., Saddle Makers of the Confederacy” is a continuation of the study of Confederate manufacture of this equipment and surviving artifacts. His talk will include a presentation on the arms, accoutrements, horse equipment and clothing typically used by Forrest’s troopers at this time of the war.
Another aspect of his talk will be about one of the most overlooked and yet interesting facts of the war. That is, how the South went from an agrarian economy almost devoid of industrial infrastructure to equip a huge military machine and field an army several hundred thousand strong. At the beginning of the war the South had no army, no military arms or equipment, few large factories and less than half of the rail transportation as did the North and, because the South imported nearly all of its iron and most of its skilled labor, had very little industrial manufacturing capacity to make more. Yet, incredibly in less than two years and, in the middle of a war, they had in operation over 40 arsenals and ordnance facilities, hundreds of foundries, tanneries, mines, machine shops and mills manufacturing small arms, ammunition, powder, cannon, uniforms, saddlery, blankets in addition to feeding the troops in the field. A unique story of ingenuity, work ethic and administration that is wonderfully American in its scope and success.
The battle of Ft. Pillow was fought in the spring of 1864 as Confederate General Nathan Bedford Forrest was raiding in Federal occupied West Tennessee. Forrest, desiring to capture much needed horses and put an end to the deprivations imposed upon locals by the Tennessee Unionists occupying Ft. Pillow, invested then overwhelmed the fort in a fierce, bloody battle. Controversy arose over the killing of white and black troops in the immediate aftermath of the battle. Sectional hatred, blunders by commanders on both sides, the heat of battle and deep-seated racial divisions created by the war culminated in needless bloodshed that can only be described as excessive.
One hundred and forty years later, preservation of the battlefield and interpretation of the battle continues. The living history event seeks to honor those that fought and died there as an important part of understanding the history of the war in West Tennessee, people of that time period and its meaning to Americans today. The event will include Living History encampments, skirmishes, Military and civilian demonstrations, children’s events and more. In addition to Knopp’s two talks other lectures will include; “Nathan Bedford Forrest’s Life and Military Career” by Dr Lonnie Maness and a presentation about the role of the United Stated Colored Troops in the war by members of the 54th Massachusetts reeanctment group.
The 1,642 acre Fort Pillow Park is rich in both historic and archaeological significance. In 1861, the Confederate Army built the extensive fortifications here on the Mississippi River and named the site for General Gideon J Pillow of Tennessee. Because of its strategic location, the fort was taken by the Union Army who controlled it for most of the war. Remains of the earthworks are well preserved. The park Interpretive Center. Museum is open daily year round with no entrance fee. Visitors will find displays of Civil War artifacts, and interpretive displays. There is a 12 minute video on the battle. Tours of the museum and restored fortifications are available upon request. https://www.state.tn.us/environment/...rks/FortPillow
-30-
Comment