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4000 horses and mules! what did the army do with the carcasses? Where could you possibly bury all those animals..or did they burn the bodies or cart them away? I never even thought about these casualties of battle.I am constantly amazed by the wide variety of subjects discussed on this site!
The killed remains of horses and mules were either buried or burned, due to the fear of diseases.
This also took place when there was a truce, on both sides and when agreed --they would start off at their respective tasks. The human remains left the field first. The horses and mules would be seen to by the Sergeant Saddler and Saddlers, which are from the branch of the Quarter-Masters. They would remove the bridles, harnesses, saddles and anything else they could salvage. And, then the bodies of the equines would be pulled into a pile and set on fire 'if' it was practical and buried 'if' practical. I am sure some of the craters made by cannon shot were used as pre-dug graves for the animals. These crews also had to be careful about starting brush fires also. I will note though, some wounded horses may have gotten up and wandered elsewhere and died in their own sort of peace. Usually horses will do such if given freedom of human intervention.
When these details concluded, the first army that completed this task of clearing the field of dead and wounded; they would return to their side and give a volley of fire to signal they were done. The last army off the field when they concluded, gave their volley of fire. The first army would then acknowledge the signal given by the second army and fire a volley. Then things returned to 'war' as usual. This three volley is now a part of ceremonial acts of burials, even to this present day.
What is a Saddler? Well, in summary, these individuals who are headed by a Sergeant and his title is "Sergeat Saddler" is much like the head groomsman for all the horses in his unit. The Sergeant Saddler, in addition takes care of the officer's horses--mainly the commanding General's horses and his immediate staff before any others. Generals were allowed 8 horses and Colonels were allowed 5 horses and ranks lower would be allowed 3 or less. This excludes Cavalry and Artillery who have their own Sergeant Saddlers and staff under him.
If there was a stable, the Saddler's job was to groom the horses, feed horses, check for health and fitness, watering the horses and--when all that was done, they cleaned out the stalls and had to be inspected by the Sergeant Saddler before any horse could return to the stall. The Saddlers also had blacksmiths and farriers on hand as to shoe any horses that required them and rotated in a replacement horse and saddled the horses for the day.
Saddler's job was also inspecting the tack--which includes bits--in the Civil War, these bits were made of steel and at times flaked and were deteriorating, so a new bit would be needed; inspecting the girth (the strap of leather/canvas that holds the saddle in place), the saddle itself. The saddle's padding in time would be compressed and thus caused sores on a horse's back. The saddle if in need of restuffing, would be replaced with another until the preferred saddle returned. The stirrup leathers also were inspected as well as all other parts of the Civil War Horse.
When this was done--they had the rest of the horses and mules to attend to, to include their own. Horses for officers would be saddled at all times and ready for immediate use, so Saddlers often took turns acting as 'orderlies.' Military couriers would often need a fresh mount, having ridden hard and fast like the 'pony express;' would have a few horses ready to go in a moment, either for their couriers or those coming in.
Just some thoughts.
Respectfully submitted for consideration,
M. E. Wolf
Sir, respectfully submitted for your consideration .....
Gen. J. H. Morgan began the First Kentucky Raid, riding a beautiful black mare he called Black Bess. She was sired by Drennan from a famous line of Bluegrass saddle stock.
On the morning of May 5, 1863 he was surprised by a troop of Union cavalry near Lebanon, Tennessee. Thus began the "Lebanon Races". Which ended with Gen. Morgan and the Green River boys crossing the Cumberland River with the federals on their heels. Sadly, however, Black Bess did not make it across river. She has been lost to history, but she was much loved by all.
Last edited by Blue.Raider88 : 04-24-2008 at 07:42 AM.
In the spring of 1861, Lieut. Samuel L. Clemens (a.k.a., Mark Twain) rode a very impressive "war horse," in service with the Salt River Tigers. He was a little yellow mule, as frisky as a jack-rabbit. He had long, erect ears, was about four feet high, and carried his tail sticking straight out on a dead level with his back. He was christened "Paint Brush" by his master.
Last edited by Blue.Raider88 : 04-24-2008 at 09:22 AM.
Blue Raider: We've had lots and lots of people come and go. You're one I'd like to see stay.
ole
__________________ I never knew a man who wished to be himself a slave. Consider if you know any good thing that no man desires for himself. A. Lincoln
Sir, thank you sir, for your fine additions to the honor rolls of Civil War equines. Black Bess and her owner/rider General J. H. Morgan and Mark Twain's/Lt. Sam Clemens "Paint Brush."
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