Saber on the Saddle...

[AZReenactor]

I came across this passage this afternoon and thought it might be of interest.

From McClellan's 1861 Regulations and Instructions for the Field Service of the US Cavalry in Time of War, Page 10

The accoutrements should be so arranged that when the men dismount to fight on foot, they can hang the sabre to the saddle; the pistol should always be carried on the person; the carbine slung over the shoulder.

I found it interesting that hanging the saber from the saddle is often regarded as a late war practice but was being advocated in print in 1861... Plus the manual itself might be of some interest. :wink_smil

[Andrew German]

Re: Saber on the Saddle...

Greetings Troy,

Maybe Little Mac should have maintained his focus on the cavalry! That manual is theoretically interesting but not practically influential, as the war took off and the volunteers were trained to the the traditional tactics, which meant wearing the sabre. A few regiments may have paid attention, as the 16th PA (according to the Cormany diaries) once cast off their sabres to fight on foot in early 1863. Later that year, as dismounted fighting became more common, the AoP cavalry figured out how to attach their sabres to their saddles and fight on foot unencumbered.

So, when discussing cavalry tactics and practices, it's important to consider where and when. It's a very interesting discussion.

Andrew German

[pvtbordonaro]

Re: Saber on the Saddle...

Troy,
Thanks for posting the link. Any idea of how the sabre was to actually be attached to the saddle? I'd like to try doing that. One less thing to worry about if you come off the saddle :)
-Joe Bordonaro

[1st Maine Trooper]

Re: Saber on the Saddle...

Joe,
Its not that difficult, you use the saber straps from your belt and the ring on the off side of the pommel and the near side of the cantle. You can then tuck the scabbard under the surcingle.
Dave Myrick

[trooper]

Re: Saber on the Saddle...

I am not sure how sabers were attached but the photo below will give an idea as to how they looked when attached

[AZReenactor]

Re: Saber on the Saddle...

What a great photo detail. Any information on when and where taken or on the larger photo?

[Mark B]

Re: Saber on the Saddle...

It seems to me the passage quoted is saying you hang the saber on the sadle while you dismount to fight. It isn't saying to hang your saber on the saddle while you ride around.

[trooper]

Re: Saber on the Saddle...

I believe I first saw the picture on this forum but I do not recall the tread. Regretfully I have no other details.

[AZReenactor]

Re: Saber on the Saddle...

Ah but try removing a saber from the belt and hang it on the saddle when under fire and moving at the double quick. ;-)

I believe I first saw the picture on this forum but I do not recall the tread. Regretfully I have no other details.

Bill, thanks for the info on the photo, I'll look around and see if I can find out more about it. Oh please make sure to sign your posts per forum rules. The easiest way is to click on edit signature from the quick links at the top of the page.

[pvtbordonaro]

Re: Saber on the Saddle...

Troy,
Thanks for posting the picture. It's worth a thousand words :)
Mark,
The picture seems to show the trooper mounted and ready to ride- with the sabre mounted on the saddle. Regs are one thing and reality is another :)
Dave,
Well, Sarge, can I mount my sabre on my saddle? Puh-leeze??
-Joe Bordonaro

[Andrew German]

Re: Saber on the Saddle...

Greetings:

The photo in question was taken at Charles City Court House, Virginia, in June 1864. Based on the wagons in the background of an associated photo, the troopers appear to be part of McIntosh's 1st Brigade of Wilson's 3rd Division of the Army of the Potomac Cavalry Corps. John Tobey and I have discussed this photo. We're not sure if they're front-line troops or guards for the train of wagons. Nevertheless, study their outfits and horse gear for an impression of cavalrymen in mid-campaign.

There is another photo taken by O'Sullivan of Sheridan's headquarters at the Old Church Hotel near Cold Harbor on June 4, 1864, that shows at least one horse with a saber attached to its saddle. I think you can find both photos on the Library of Congress Web site.

Andrew German

[Linkstrap]

Re: Saber on the Saddle...

I believe I first saw the picture on this forum but I do not recall the tread. Regretfully I have no other details.

I have this photo saved as 'Federal cavalry during the 1864 Wilderness Campaign at Charles City Court House Virginia'.

In the LoC it's listed as 'Charles City Court House, Va. Rear view of the courthouse'.

http://memory.loc.gov/cgi-bin/query/...p/~ammem_JiwV:

Perhaps this be the thread where you first saw it?

http://www.authentic-campaigner.com/...rness+campaign

[trooper]

Re: Saber on the Saddle...

Sorry about the signature -
Yes - the photo is from the tread you show. However I recall that there were 2 "close ups " associated with the main photo - the saber being one of them

Bill McKown

[CJSchumacher]

Re: Saber on the Saddle...

As Andrew said, I originally posted this photo detail here of this group of cavalry taken at Charles City Court House. To my knowledge, its the only known photo I've seen of a trooper mounted with saber hooked onto the saddle. Never say never, I just haven't seen any other and that was quite a random find itself.

There is the other popular photo of cavalry at Cold Harbor, VA by the Old Church Hotel...which when blown up shows a detail of a horse tied up with a saber that appears to be slung from the saddle. Unfortuntately, since all horses are tied off, there's no way of knowing if it was in fact rigged to the saddle or merely just hanging for the momment attached to the ring or even just a saber belt slung over the pommel.

The saber appears to be pretty verticle vs. the the shoulder to hind quarter slinging of the saber in my other photo detail. Would be tough to ride at speed at first glance unless secured toward the bottom of the scabbard. Might just be a hanger afterall, but who really knows.

Attached is the second photo, which I'm referencing.

[DaveGink]

Re: Saber on the Saddle...

I have this photo saved as 'Federal cavalry during the 1864 Wilderness Campaign at Charles City Court House Virginia'.

In the LoC it's listed as 'Charles City Court House, Va. Rear view of the courthouse'.

http://memory.loc.gov/cgi-bin/query/...p/~ammem_JiwV:

Perhaps this be the thread where you first saw it?

http://www.authentic-campaigner.com/...rness+campaign

And under 'Biographic Information' it adds: "Photograph from the main eastern theater of war, Grant's Wilderness Campaign, May-June 1864"