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The following artifacts are presented here by gracious consent of Joni House of the Perryville Ky Battlefield. These "never before on public display" items were a part of the park's museum presentation for the "Horse Soldiers, Cavalry of the Civil War" event, this past Oct 2-3. If you missed it then you missed a good'n. You also missed the display of these artifacts. As a courtesy Joni House has allowed me to present these photographs here on the AC.
Civilian Saddle, Ornate Civilian Bridle and Curb Bit, Brass and Leather Saddle Holsters, housewife and 36 Caliber Navy Colt Revolver owned by Captain John A. Lafferty, Company K 9th Kentucky Cavalry, Gay’s Cavalry Brigade U.S. It is my understanding all of these items were used by him during the war.
The saddle and bridle with bit are particularly interesting and very representative of quality civilian horse equipment of the "period". Not all equipment was "issue" nor simple, plain and "non-adorned". In fact, civilian equipment of the period that was brought into service (a very common occurance on both sides) was quite often as you see here. Ornate and well made.
9th KY Cavalry U.S.:
This regiment was organized at Eminence. Kentucky, under Col. Richard T. Jacob, and mustered into the United States service on August 22, 1862. The 9th then marched to Crab Orchard, Kentucky, where two companies were detached as a body-guard to General “Bull” Nelson. These two companies participated in the Battle of Richmond and after that the regiment marched from Lexington to Louisville, covering the retreat of the Federal forces before Kirby Smith’s Confederates.
After staying two weeks in Louisville a portion of the 9th marched in advance of Buell’s army towards Perryville. It was engaged on October 7th at Pottsville within 3 miles of Perryville and then again on October 8th during the Battle of Perryville.
“When we passed over the Battlefield of Perryville which was an awful sight to behold. I rode over part of the field of battle. I saw some of the dead Rebels which was killed on [Wednesday] before. With but few exceptions, they was nearly destitute of clothes. Their principal clothing was brown jeans and blue cotton pants which was nearly worn out. It was one of the most horrible sights I ever saw in my life. They fought over six miles of ground before they would give up the contest. I saw coats and pants and hats and guns and everything of the sort scattered over the field of battle. We went on in to Perryville and after we had passed through the town, we left the town. No one in sight and marched about 1 mile and camped for the night. We slept on the battlefield.”
Johnson, Daniel, Attached to 9th Kentucky Cavalry US. [October 11, 1862]
After the Perryville fight the regiment was active in the pursuit of Bragg’s army as it left the state. The 9th KY remained on the Tennessee and Kentucky border until the winter of 1863 when it was involved in the pursuit of John Hunt Morgan’s cavalry through Kentucky, Indiana, and Ohio. It was engaged in the fighting at Buffington Island and was present at the capture of Morgan on July 26, 1983.
The regiment mustered out at Eminence, Kentucky of September 11th 1863.
The artifacts displayed have never before been exhibited together in public. This was made possible by a special loan from the Kentucky Historical Society to the Perryville Battlefield and then graciously provided to us by Joni House. Look for Perryville's "big" 150th in 2012!!
Cool "stuff" huh?
Ken R Knopp
Civilian Saddle, Ornate Civilian Bridle and Curb Bit, Brass and Leather Saddle Holsters, housewife and 36 Caliber Navy Colt Revolver owned by Captain John A. Lafferty, Company K 9th Kentucky Cavalry, Gay’s Cavalry Brigade U.S. It is my understanding all of these items were used by him during the war.
The saddle and bridle with bit are particularly interesting and very representative of quality civilian horse equipment of the "period". Not all equipment was "issue" nor simple, plain and "non-adorned". In fact, civilian equipment of the period that was brought into service (a very common occurance on both sides) was quite often as you see here. Ornate and well made.
9th KY Cavalry U.S.:
This regiment was organized at Eminence. Kentucky, under Col. Richard T. Jacob, and mustered into the United States service on August 22, 1862. The 9th then marched to Crab Orchard, Kentucky, where two companies were detached as a body-guard to General “Bull” Nelson. These two companies participated in the Battle of Richmond and after that the regiment marched from Lexington to Louisville, covering the retreat of the Federal forces before Kirby Smith’s Confederates.
After staying two weeks in Louisville a portion of the 9th marched in advance of Buell’s army towards Perryville. It was engaged on October 7th at Pottsville within 3 miles of Perryville and then again on October 8th during the Battle of Perryville.
“When we passed over the Battlefield of Perryville which was an awful sight to behold. I rode over part of the field of battle. I saw some of the dead Rebels which was killed on [Wednesday] before. With but few exceptions, they was nearly destitute of clothes. Their principal clothing was brown jeans and blue cotton pants which was nearly worn out. It was one of the most horrible sights I ever saw in my life. They fought over six miles of ground before they would give up the contest. I saw coats and pants and hats and guns and everything of the sort scattered over the field of battle. We went on in to Perryville and after we had passed through the town, we left the town. No one in sight and marched about 1 mile and camped for the night. We slept on the battlefield.”
Johnson, Daniel, Attached to 9th Kentucky Cavalry US. [October 11, 1862]
After the Perryville fight the regiment was active in the pursuit of Bragg’s army as it left the state. The 9th KY remained on the Tennessee and Kentucky border until the winter of 1863 when it was involved in the pursuit of John Hunt Morgan’s cavalry through Kentucky, Indiana, and Ohio. It was engaged in the fighting at Buffington Island and was present at the capture of Morgan on July 26, 1983.
The regiment mustered out at Eminence, Kentucky of September 11th 1863.
The artifacts displayed have never before been exhibited together in public. This was made possible by a special loan from the Kentucky Historical Society to the Perryville Battlefield and then graciously provided to us by Joni House. Look for Perryville's "big" 150th in 2012!!
Cool "stuff" huh?
Ken R Knopp
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