Cavalry Image from "Conferderate Prisoners Captured At The Battle Of Fishers Hill"

[Ken]

I've always been fascinated by this image of a lone cavalryman standing to the side of the soldiers seated on a ridge looking down on a camp. I've always thought that this is a classic image of federal cavalryman in the field. You can clearly see his Sharps carbine with the ring to attach it to the carbine sling. He's not wearing his saber so he's snapped the two saber straps together to keep them out of the way. You can see the cartridge box on the belt, carbine sling hanging across his shoulder. Boots, forage cap and what may either be a sack coat or perhaps a cavalry shell jacked.




Shot at 2009-12-26

[Mark Choate]

Re: Cavalry Image from "Conferderate Prisoners Captured At The Battle Of Fishers Hill"

Ken,

Thanks for the photo of the Fed cavalryman. It is quite odd to see a "close up" shot like that that is of the back side of the subject. Was this a portion of a broader photo that perhaps someone cropped out? If so, do you have any of the rest of it, perchance?

thanks for posting,
Mark

[David Fox]

Re: Cavalry Image from "Conferderate Prisoners Captured At The Battle Of Fishers Hill"

Hummm. It's interesting that the longer, rear sabre strap doesn't appear to originate near the centre of his back where one would expect it to. And, contrary to regs, he's tucked his trouser legs into his boots.

[yeoman]

Re: Cavalry Image from "Conferderate Prisoners Captured At The Battle Of Fishers Hill"

Ken, great detail to point out in this image sir.
Here is a bit more discussion of this image.

http://www.authentic-campaigner.com/forum/showthread.php?p=97267#post97267

CWPT link, Fisher's Hill, http://civilwar.org/battlefields/fisher-s-hill.html#
Closing the back door http://civilwar.org/battlefields/ced...h1864wert.html

[1st Maine Trooper]

Re: Cavalry Image from "Conferderate Prisoners Captured At The Battle Of Fishers Hill"

Hummm. It's interesting that the longer, rear sabre strap doesn't appear to originate near the centre of his back where one would expect it to. And, contrary to regs, he's tucked his trouser legs into his boots.

Neither is actually not unusual at all. First the position of the saber straps varied greatly from belt to belt, maker to maker. Second, troopers frequently tucked their trousers into their boots. It served to protect them from things encountered while riding.

Dave Myrick

[David Fox]

Re: Cavalry Image from "Conferderate Prisoners Captured At The Battle Of Fishers Hill"

Roger that. I'm aware of the 'tuck-in'. Just noting it was contrary to regs. Am still surprised at the position of the rear sabre strap; of the originals I own and the ones I've handled, the rear hanger position has always been at or near the middle of the putative wearer's back. These are very close together.

[Mark Choate]

Re: Cavalry Image from "Conferderate Prisoners Captured At The Battle Of Fishers Hill"

Mel,
Thanks for the link to the entire photo and the associated discussion.

Mark

[PanzerJager]

Re: Cavalry Image from "Conferderate Prisoners Captured At The Battle Of Fishers Hill"

Roger that. I'm aware of the 'tuck-in'. Just noting it was contrary to regs. Am still surprised at the position of the rear sabre strap; of the originals I own and the ones I've handled, the rear hanger position has always been at or near the middle of the putative wearer's back. These are very close together.

When I look at the photo it appears, at least to me, that the cavalry man has the strap hung over his box or has the strap fed between the belt and the box loops to keep it out of the way and from hanging down like a tail. Just my take on it,

Regards,

[David Fox]

Re: Cavalry Image from "Conferderate Prisoners Captured At The Battle Of Fishers Hill"

Could be, Panzer. I'm too darn lazy to get my replica leather out to try this arrangement. Would think it would result in a bulge creating a pressure-point in the small of ones back.

[Huck]

Re: Cavalry Image from "Conferderate Prisoners Captured At The Battle Of Fishers Hill"

David in looking at this photo, it appears that the rear strap is either over top of the box or pulled through the belt loops so the solider could place the box at the middle of his back.