Cav items in New Orleans

[Jerry Ross]

Hello all,
I just got back from a trip to the Confederate Museum in New Orleans and saw some interesting items. I did not get to take pictures .Sorry Fellas!

1) Saddle blanket used by Col. Stocks of the 7th Tenn Cavalry he had carried it during the war with Mexico and Civil War. It is very colorful red, blue and white with a small triangular pattern.

2)Jefferson Davis 's Grimsley saddle was in great shape

3) Some kind of McClellan style saddle that was called a regulation saddle. The thing about this one is that it was so small looking that I though it was a child's saddle compared to the Grimsley across the aisle.

4) post war surcingle of Winnie Davis (Jefferson Davis' Daughter). I was surprised to see one for Civilian use I thought they were for military use.

5) Saber belts, too many to mention and take mental notes on.



One item I thought was unusual was a knapsack with a leather looking valise on top of the knapsack. I thought that maybe it was a leather sack for a blanket but I don't think a blanket would fit inside of it .

This was well worth the trip to see some very good items . If you ever get a chance to go call first to make sure they are open . The National WW II Museum is next door and is awesome too .

[Mark Choate]

Re: Cav items in New Orleans

Jerry,

I will wholeheartedly agree with your comments as we were down there last summer and went into the museum. It is really a hidden treasure as it is chock full of wonderful items. I was just sure I had "sweet-talked" my way to getting to take some photos, but that was not to be. I remember Davis' saddle and several items belonging to Stonewall Jackson. I was surprised to see so many items from the eastern theater of the war. Would have thought it would have been more western. Anyway, you are right in that folks need to plan that trip for certain.

Good post,
Mark
p.s. we sure are loving the sausage..................

[The Egyptian Homeguard]

Re: Cav items in New Orleans

I'm pretty sure that the Jeff Davis Grimsley is a repop Heartland House did... the original was lost during Katrina if memory serves... Z

[Cpt Boone]

Re: Cav items in New Orleans

Jerry,

The knapsacks you saw we believe are militia. We have several. The roll on top is decorative. It is a tin tube covered with leather. Handled them many times.

Zack,

You may be thinking of Beauvoir in Biloxi. CMH was not damaged by Katrina and that saddle was donated by Margaret Davis a LOOOONNNGGGG time ago.

[The Egyptian Homeguard]

Re: Cav items in New Orleans

Jerry, You are right, my mistake. I knew one of them was lost, I was sure it was the one in New Orleans... At least we didn't loose them both! There aren't enough period saddles left anyway. Thanks for the correction. Z

[Forrestcavalryman]

Re: Cav items in New Orleans

1) Saddle blanket used by Col. Stocks of the 7th Tenn Cavalry he had carried it during the war with Mexico and Civil War. It is very colorful red, blue and white with a small triangular pattern.

Was this a millitary saddle blanket? Or just a civillian blanket used in place of one?

[Jerry Ross]

Re: Cav items in New Orleans

Hello all,
1) The Jefferson Davis saddle at Beavoir was lost. It was a Texas/Mexican saddle with a very big ring on the rigging I got pictures of that one about 2 years before Katerina.
2)The blanket was a civilian style .

Timothy,
So the roll on top did not have a function at all ?or did they use it like a saddle valise?

Mark , Was the Col. who owned the blanket in the 7th? Glad you liked the smoked sausage.

[Mark Choate]

Re: Cav items in New Orleans

Yes, Jerry, I believe that he was.

Tim, thanks for clarifying the bit about the Jeff Davis saddle because I know that when I was there last year, it was portrayed as his actual saddle and there would be a serious ethics question if it was in fact, a repro. I also was thinking that although the museum is just to the west of the French Quarter, I did not think that the items in the museum were damaged by Katrina.

Whew..............

Mark

[Mark Choate]

Re: Cav items in New Orleans

Jerry,
Earlier, I was headed out the door to get in my final horseback ride of 2010 and did not get to reply in depth to the owner of the blanket question.

It belonged to Lt. Col. John G. Stocks who began his military career with Co. "F" of the 7th TN Cavalry who were earlier known of as the "Forked Deer Rangers", formed Nov. 1861, largely of men from Crockett and Haywood counties, Tennessee. However, he rose to his noted rank with Co. "G" of the 7th which was earlier known as "The Independent Rebel Rangers" and were made up largely of men from Henry County, TN. As you know this is Paris, TN. and as the "crow flies" is just up the road a piece from your home there in Clarksville.

Again, Jerry, thanks for reminding us all of this wonderful, albeit somewhat unknown, museum that while smaller, is right up there with the Museum of the Confederacy in Richmond which as I understand has become quite "PC".

In case anyone wants to look a little more at this museum, their website is: http://www.confederatemuseum.com/

Mark

[ButtermilkRanger]

Re: Cav items in New Orleans

I'm pretty upset that all of y'all were an hour from my front door and didn't even give me a call. I know the curator at Confederate Memorial Hall...sometimes it's nice to know people.

[ButtermilkRanger]

Re: Cav items in New Orleans

Confederate Memorial Hall did sustain some roof damage during Katrina and did get some water damage, but very little, if any, due to flooding. We raised money after the storm to repair the roof and there was some talk of CMH being closed permanently. Sometimes historic preservation is more than just land for a battlefield. I've been to the MOC in Richmond, but in IMO, I like CMH better. The artifacts are more "common" to the everyday soldier and the general officer and political stuff are for westerners that I can relate to better than the ANV.

Mark, if memory serves, there is also a very nice pair of larged roweled Mexican type spurs that were id'd to a trooper in the 7th TN as well.

Jerry, I believe that small leather covered mac is supposed to be ID'd to a Confederate junior officer. I've always thought it was an interesting piece. It is small, there is almost a complete lack of hardware outside of the quarterstrap rings and the pommel is sloping curiously forward. I'm sure Ken has examined it before and I'd like to hear his take on it.

[Mark Choate]

Re: Cav items in New Orleans

Larry,

While I cannot speak for Jerry, I personally called your number and it just rang and rang and rang..........(just kidding). Actually, that would have been pretty cool to have had you along. Maybe he would have let me take photos then! Seriously, I did not realize that you lived that close to N.O. We will have to "jine up" and enjoy some cajun food next time!

Now that you mention the spurs, I believe you are correct, but I do not remember who they belonged to. I am pretty certain they didn't belong to Col. Stocks.

Well, now that I have explained my trip to LA and why I didn't contact you, Jerry will have to handle his own excuse. :wink_smil

Mark

[Jerry Ross]

Re: Cav items in New Orleans

Mark,
I had a native of LA showing me around,Colbi Rosenthal. He use to ride with Larry and then moved to Clarksville and rode with us for a time . We also went to Port Hudson and found the grave stones of the unknown Confederate dead from the battle. The 49th Tennessee had several men who dead there and are maybe buried there. You have relatives that were in the 49thTenn too ?

[Mark Choate]

Re: Cav items in New Orleans

Yes, the 49th TN had a huge presence at Port Hudson. Many of the TN units that were captured at Ft. Donelson ended up at Port Hudson. I had 3 or 4 ancestors with 49th. 2nd Lt. John J. Sanders of Co. D. of the 49th was my uncle.

Cool stuff. Did you get pictures?

Mark

[coastaltrash]

Re: Cav items in New Orleans

How dare yall ignore Larry. Going to take him weeks to dry them big ole eyes.