Mules as Cavalry Mounts

[hardeeflag]

I was wondering if specific units, perhaps mounted infantry, may have used mules instead of horses. Just curious really if any of you have come up with documentation of units that used mules?

I have about four accounts on Sibley's TX brigade mentioning their mules. Some of these are in New Mexico but another was late 1863 in Louisiana. Most of these references were from the same brigade, 4th and 5th Texas Cavalry (Mounted Rifles). This brigade most certainly served in the capacity of mounted infantry. I am wondering if this unit or men indeed had a preference for mules rather than horses or if it was more of an affectionate lexicon for their mounts.

On a side note I have seen several images of western miners mounted on mules.

[Matthew.Rector]

Re: Mules as Cavalry Mounts

Are you interested in Confederate, Federal or both?

[hardeeflag]

Re: Mules as Cavalry Mounts

Either. I had seen several instances of such in this particular brigade and the references in mid war seem to me that they experiences they had in NM may have ionfluenced their use on an indivudual basis. Any other references are good.

[Charles W. Mood]

Re: Mules as Cavalry Mounts

While not Civil War, Capt Randolph Marcy of the 5th US Infantry resorted to mounting some of his troops on mules during the Utah War/Expedition (1857-8) in an effort to counter the Mormans who successfully burned several contracted supply trains of Russel, Majors and Wadell. The US Dragoons who were supposed to escort the wagons were tied up in Kansas due to Congress. The effort, while novel, was not a great success and they were referred to as "jackass cavalry" by the Mormans.

Chuck Mood

[Matthew.Rector]

Re: Mules as Cavalry Mounts

My 4th great uncle, William G. Wright, was a private in the 17th Indiana Infantry (Wilder's Brigade). In a January 1863 letter written by him he mentions the first time they were mounted, which happened to be on mules-albiet briefly.

...went to Glascow stopping there two or three days-then onto a place called Bear Hollow in Ky. we stayed there several days. was there New Years day-that night orders came to be ready to march at twelve oclock-it soon got whispered around that we were to be mounted on mules. well about eleven oclock all the mules in the division were brought up close to the Regt and tied-the Bugle Sounded fall in and the boys marched out and each took his muly got astride. Some only got on when the next minute they were off. It was the best amusement we have had for some time. after sitting on mules for a half hour or more we were ordered to dismount and hold our selves in readiness.Well about that time we began to smell a mice and silently went into our cotton houses and soon was in the arms of Morpheous dreaming of a certain regiment resembling the 17th getting awfully Sold. after laughing over the joke for two days more in camp we came to Cave City staying there one day. When we took the cars what do you think of that for Nashville again.

They were mounted again in February 1863, where they acquired horses. Apparently he wasn't concerned about what he rode as in another letter written that month he said, "I will ride anything they give me until its blamed tail drops off, if it is an old cow."

[robert-m]

Re: Mules as Cavalry Mounts

I think it was Wilders Brigade was mounted on mules, during the push on Chattanooga in 63. The book "This Terrible Sound " states that they foraged for mounts while in middle Tennessee in July and August, and the days leading up till they pushed through the gaps and to Chickamauga.

[Eric Burke]

Re: Mules as Cavalry Mounts

I'd say the Streight's "Lightning Mule Brigade" during his '63 raid into Alabama is the most famous use of mules. Granted they weren't cavalry units, he actually just mounted four infantry units on mules to increase tactical speed and decrease the footsore factor of his men. I don't believe they ever actually fought from..."muleback"?.. You might want to check out the following: http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/IS...cometonorth00/

[Matthew.Rector]

Re: Mules as Cavalry Mounts

I think it was Wilders Brigade was mounted on mules, during the push on Chattanooga in 63. The book "This Terrible Sound " states that they foraged for mounts while in middle Tennessee in July and August, and the days leading up till they pushed through the gaps and to Chickamauga.

It is safe to say mules were used in Wilder's Brigade, but horses were used as well . In a number of letters from my 4th great uncle who was in that Brigade (see above) he mentions the use of horses and mules several times in 1863. In the above referenced foraging of mounts in Tennessee in July and August 1863, which included expeditions to Columbia and Centreville, 700 horses and mules were netted according to the Official Records. (if interested, contact me for specific citation.)

He only comments on using a horse in 1864-65. Not to say that others in the brigade didn't use mules at that time.

P.S. I noticed a transcription error in the portion of a letter I posted above. "Glascow" should be "Glasgow" as spelled in the letter.

[RJSamp]

Re: Mules as Cavalry Mounts

9th Illinois Volunteer Mounted Infantry Regiment was Mule Mounted, armed with Spenser Carbines. Ditched the fifes and drums and, like any good German outfit or cavalry unit, went all bugle

[MuleyGil]

Re: Mules as Cavalry Mounts

I started this thread back in 2004:

http://www.authentic-campaigner.com/forum/showthread.php?2394-Confederates-on-Mules&highlight=mules