Forage Calculations

[JerseyMutt]

Good afternoon, my mounted friends! I searched the forum far and wide, but alas...I could not find an answer to my question. This isn't a cavalry question per se, but the horse experience that those frequenting this section have might put them in a better position to answer my question. In preparing for the 22nd Virginia Infantry adjunct to the 150th New Market, we have been provided with copies of regimental quartermaster documents. One of these documents was a Request for Forage (Form 33). This particular document was a request for 1 horse covering the period of 1 November 1863 through 30 November 1863. It had daily amounts listed for corn (12 lbs) and hay (14 lbs) for a total request of 360 lbs of corn and 420 lbs of hay.

My question is: Were those daily allowances a standard sum or was there some calculating based on certain factors (horse's weight, age, etc.)? Any information would be helpful.

[Mark Choate]

Re: Forage Calculations

Hello Tommy,

Great question and I appreciate your push to learn more.

You will find that those allowances were standard fare based on cumulative findings. The army/cavalry did not vary it's recommendations and allowances based on the varied mix of horses as would relate to age, size, condition, etc. Too tedious and too much flux. This having been said, certain commanders, in anticipation of upcoming demands, may have made "tweaked" the allowances for that campaign or endeavor, but that is different from what you asked.

Hope this helps.

Mark

thx,
Mark

[rbruno]

Re: Forage Calculations

Tommy,
The other thing to consider is the owner of the horse. Officer horses were in general better taken care of then the average enlisted troopers' horses. There are exceptions of course, but in general the officers mounts I think were a little better off. You read many accounts of the conditions of the horses in the field. Both north and south, the army horse was a very tough existence. However, in most photographs of officers and their mounts, the mounts look in pretty good shape considering. If you are looking at an infantry regiment and the horse came up I would imagine that is the requisition for a particular officer and his mount. As Mark stated, the manuals have allowances for all horses and what each horse should get. Then there is reality and who got what some times depended on who the who was. If that makes any sense.

[JerseyMutt]

Re: Forage Calculations

Mark/Rob,

Thank you both for your answers. I think that both of you gave me much more insight into the process than I had before (next to none).

Based on your answers, and the fact that the document was requesting forage for 1 horse only, I believe (but obviously cannot verify; the document doesn't state) that it was for Colonel George S. Patton's mount. Thanks again, to the both of you.

Respectfully,