Cloth saddle bags

[ButtermilkRanger]

I know we had a thread going about CS valises and saddle bags, but it sort of went strictly to a discussion on the valise. My question is pretty simple, is there any solid provenance of oiled or painted cloth saddle bags issued to Confederate cavalry? Are there any photos of original relics? I'm only concerned with painted cloth saddle bags and not leather.

[Mark Choate]

Re: Cloth saddle bags

Hi Larry,

Good question here. I know that they were made and used but as to their official army issuance, that may be another matter. I have seen a few originals and know that the Ashford collection has some and one from the Matt Woodburn collection that has leather bottoms and cloth tops.

I checked Ken’s second book and there is a reference in there that the Clarksville Depot/Arsenal made and issued them. It says: “Jenifer saddles were issued with leather and/or cloth valises. Records indicate that few saddlebags were made or issued until the McClellan was adopted afterwhich they became somewhat more common. Saddle bags were made from cloth after Feb. 1864.”

This states they were made and implies they were issued from that Depot. Perhaps Ken could elaborate more on the matter.

Will M. may have something on this too and hope he chimes in, as well.

It was good to see you at Chickamauga.

Regards,
Mark

[ButtermilkRanger]

Re: Cloth saddle bags

Thanks, Mark. It was good seeing you and talking to you at Chickamuddy as well. If anyone has any pics of a pair of original painted cloth bags, I'd be interested to see them.

[10thKyScout]

Re: Cloth saddle bags

Larry

I bought a pair from Karl Pepper, and he might be a good sources for more information.

Hope this helps.

Jeff Thompson

[Ken Knopp]

Re: Cloth saddle bags

Here is photo of a cloth saddle bag. Its sister is in pretty bad condition but this photo shows the character of the set quite well. As I recall this has some CS providence but right now, I am not 100% sure without digging around to find it. It's deminsions are the same as a McClellan bag.

As a matter of common knowledge during the 19th century and our CW period, saddlery made of cloth was considered beneath most horsemen. The Confederacy resorted to it as an expediency to supplant a shortage of leather but as a "low rent" item it was never warmly received by the troops.

Nevertheless, numbers would vary but saddles, bags valises, etc. would often be prominently found in the ranks of western CS enlisted cavalrymen in late 1863, 1864-65. Its also not an item seen "enough" in the ranks of reenactors.

For more photos of these type items see my web site.....

https://www.confederatesaddles.com

As a postscript: I have lately been in active corresponence with Karl Pepper of Glen Pier Depot. He is working on a line of CS cloth saddles, bags and valises for the upcoming season. I am impressed with his desire to make the saddle as close to originals as possible. They should turn out quite nice.


Ken R KNopp