Interesting photo of William Catt, 11th Kansas Cavalry

[GAR]

The description says he served from his enlistment in 1862 to mid 1863, fighting guerrillas along the Kansas / Missouri border. I wonder if the double pistols he wears is in an effort to close the gap in the firepower advantage the guerrillas enjoyed, often carrying four pistols on their bodies and others in pommel holsters and saddlebags. It was easy enough for them to acquire multiple weapons, as they rarely left one behind after a conquest.
I don't see a flap on the right hip holster but there is one on the left, which is curious. It also appears to be a sword strap attached to the belt in an odd fashion and on the wrong side. I thought maybe the image was reversed, and the cap badges of 11 and I don't answer that question, but the fly coat and vest buttons say it wasn't. The coat he wears looks more civilian than military to me, but I could be wrong. If it was civilian, it demonstrates the shortages faced by those serving the border during the war.
I'd love to hear other opinions on this.

http://ozarkscivilwar.org/photographs/2011/09/catt-william/

[GAR]

Re: Interesting photo of William Catt, 11th Kansas Cavalry

Sorry for the link, I don't know how to get the picture to post here.

[Curt Schmidt]

Re: Interesting photo of William Catt, 11th Kansas Cavalry

Hallo!



Curt

[Curt Schmidt]

Re: Interesting photo of William Catt, 11th Kansas Cavalry

Hallo!

I am not seeing a folded back hoslter flap on the right hand side revolver. I would suspect it may be cut off, as the stud is still visible emulating a 'California' holster also popular with guerrillas. It has a toe plate, although some California holsters did. And does not have the NUG cut-out for the trigger, although some California style holsters did not).

I have to ponder the function of the sabre belt shoulder strap worn that way. Odd.

I do not have good resolution to see the details on the coat.

I am not seeing the usual arsenal type top stitching and facing stitching lines. Appearance of material can be tricky as some weaves were not as nappy as others, but I do not see the NUG twill effect. But, IMHO it generally falls into the range of a federal blouse.

Others' mileage will vary....

Curt

[GreencoatCross]

Re: Interesting photo of William Catt, 11th Kansas Cavalry

It's an issue fatigue blouse. The top-stitching is tricky to see but it does run close to the edges of the coat. The inside line of top-stitching is partially visible directly to the left of the upper most visible button and on the opposite side as a slight "fold" or "bulge" of fabric above/right of the second buttonhole and to the right of the third buttonhole (this being caused by the line of stitching itself even though the stitching is not visible). Not all blouses had the extra top-stitching directly behind the buttons (as seen on some original Martin blouses).

[dixieflyer]

Re: Interesting photo of William Catt, 11th Kansas Cavalry

Curt,
I do see what I think is a folded back flap on the holster on the right of the image. What is that if not a tucked in flap? Also, at the resolution I am getting, I can see what I think is the stitching of the top of the internal pocket, just above the buttonhole where it appears he has tied a piece of cloth, etc.

[sbeneke1]

Re: Interesting photo of William Catt, 11th Kansas Cavalry

There are a few suprises to me in this image, I have to immediatly question the hat brass.
I also notice that he has mounted trousers and I believe that his jacket is just a common fatigue but the collar does look a little unusual.
The holster to me appears to have had the flap cut off, the stud appears to be visiable and it lacks the usual triggerguard cutout. So at that point I am unsure of its origin. I have no idea on the belt strap.

I can say this in '62 multiple Kansas Cavalry units report companies being armed with pistols and sabers only. While some only had longarms. If im not mistaken a company of the 6th only had sabers at Newtonia I (late Sept '62). I have yet to find if this reflects some men carrying multiple pistols. The unusual holster makes me want to know if that was a battlefield pick up.

Steven
9th KS Cavalry Co. F

[Curt Schmidt]

Re: Interesting photo of William Catt, 11th Kansas Cavalry

Hallo!

I need a better monitor. :)

Curt

[sbeneke1]

Re: Interesting photo of William Catt, 11th Kansas Cavalry

I found an image of Charles Bates Jr. Also of Grasshopper Falls who was mustered into the 11th in 1862. Take a look at this mans belt plate, boots and hat. He also has his flap tucked behind his pistol. He seems unbelievable well equiped for a Kansas private. He was promoted to Corporal on Janurary 20th, 1865.

http://ozarkscivilwar.org/photographs/2011/09/bates-jr-charles/

Doing further research on the 11th I found another troop Eliijah Borland wearing two pistols and I suppose what is a civilan oversized frock.

http://ozarkscivilwar.org/photographs/2011/09/borland-elijah/

Last yet another troop from the 11th that haled from Grasshopper Falls. George W. Cook, is wearing his frock from the 11th's formation as Infantry but his hat is highly decorated in Cavalry garnish and a pistol.

http://ozarkscivilwar.org/photographs/2011/09/cook-george-w/

I can't get the images to appear, help would be appricated.

Thanks,
Steven

[hireddutchcutthroat]

Re: Interesting photo of William Catt, 11th Kansas Cavalry

Dragoon hat brass.

[Curt Schmidt]

Re: Interesting photo of William Catt, 11th Kansas Cavalry

Hallo!







Curt

[GAR]

Re: Interesting photo of William Catt, 11th Kansas Cavalry

Thanks, Curt.
While I can see the need to fold a holster flap like that while in dangerous locations, it's interesting that they would pose that way in a studio setting. Interesting too, that they felt the need to stay armed while in town, but understandable, considering the enemy guerrillas wore civilian and very often, captured Federal uniforms to be able to move around more freely.
The trooper on the top of this page is obviously wearing a msj with the collar turned down, which is something I will suggest as an option to those wearing them in my company, along with turning the bills of their forage caps up.
In the second photo on this page, the trooper wearing the ill fitting coat has two flap holsters with the flaps tucked. Were right hand flap holsters ever issued?
In the third photo, another turned down collar, but what do you suppose the purpose was for the four ventilation type holes in his belt? If it was to keep his cap pouch in place, four holes seems like overkill, and where are the cap pouches in these photos?
I have sometimes been criticized in the past for saying things were much different out here than in the east. These photos hint at the truth of that statement.

[CompanyWag]

Re: Interesting photo of William Catt, 11th Kansas Cavalry

The ill-fitting coat in the 2nd image is what is often referred to as a "commercial sack coat"...a privately purchased garment worm often by officers and even enlisted men later in the war. It appears he is wearing a sword belt with an enameled finish...possibly yellow. These do turn up in collector circles from time to time.

In the third photo, the cavalryman is wearing an infantry frock coat. The skirts look to be shortened.

[GAR]

Re: Interesting photo of William Catt, 11th Kansas Cavalry

Curt,
I do see what I think is a folded back flap on the holster on the right of the image. What is that if not a tucked in flap? Also, at the resolution I am getting, I can see what I think is the stitching of the top of the internal pocket, just above the buttonhole where it appears he has tied a piece of cloth, etc.

Warren,

The holster in question is the left hand draw, worn butt forward on the right hip, on the left side of the image. Whew. The other holster does have a folded flap, with examples also seen in two more of the above photos.

I don't see the pocket stitching, but my eyes aren't as young as they were yesterday. The piece of cloth is curious. Possibly a memento of his recently departed wife? An aid to remove hot pistol caps or black powder fouling? Allergies? It states he was discharged for disease, but recovered enough to join the 17th Kansas Infantry 6 months later. William Catt lived until 1904. He is buried next to his son, Alfred E. Catt, who also joined Company I of the 11th. Alfred's headstone says he enlisted on Nov. 21st, 1864, discharged Sept. 26, 1865 and died a few weeks later, on Oct. 14, 1865. William Catt's marker lists him as Co. I, 11th Kansas Cavalry, so there was something special he loved about that unit, which he passed on to his young son.

[rbruno]

Re: Interesting photo of William Catt, 11th Kansas Cavalry

Just as food for thought, I am going to throw this out that the guns and holsters and belt are studio props. Some similarity in the belts, the way the flap is done, the cloth on the table, the use of a book in the pictures. Thoughts?