Company Branded Horses

[Steven Dacus]

In doing some research on our unit, I came across the following general order:

October 20th 1863
General Orders )
No. 25. )

I. All Quartermasters or other persons in this District having in their possession Animals belong to the Government of the United States, are hereby ordered to have them properly and plainly rebranded with the letters “U.S.” and all Company Commanders will also have the letter of their Company properly branded on their Company horses before the inspection by the District Inspector or Chief of Cavalry who are required to report the compliance or non=compliance with this Order.

(Signed) Geo. H. Stillwell, A.A.A. Gen.

I have tried, after runnning across this, to research where the "Company" letter would be branded on horses/mules/etc. (left/right, front/rear, Sholder/hip). And to be honest, this is the first time I have run across regts. branding their mounts with their company letter in addtion to the "US".

Please share your thoughts.

Steve Dacus
11th OVC

[Tom Craig]

Re: Company Branded Horses

Steven,
I don't have documentation for this at the minute, but I know brands, when done, were done on the rump/hip. It is one of those things, that while proscribed, I have absolutely no idea how commonly it was done. You see it VERY rarely in period images.

Take care,
Tom Craig
1st Maine Cavalry

[Mark Choate]

Re: Company Branded Horses

You're right, Tom as to the rump position for the brand. Cannot remember if the guidelines were for a particular side to be used or either side of rump, but (and this is conjecture) I believe this to be one of those regulations that seemed practical when the US army/cavalry was the fractional size that it was prior to the war. However, no one could have imagined how many mounts would have been brought into service and summarily 'used up" and the speed in which it took place, as was seen during the War between the states.

I don't know of any such regulation in the CS cavalry. If anyone does know, please speak up.

thx,
Mark

[Steven Dacus]

Re: Company Branded Horses

I was wondering if anyone has come across specifically the company letter brand anywhere else vs. just the "US".

[Longrope]

Re: Company Branded Horses

I agree that the US brand rarely shows up in period images, but when it does, it isn't always on the horse's hip.