Blacksmithing - Page 3

larry_cockerham · #21 01-31-2007, 02:13 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rock city guard

Larry,

The Blacksmith or farrier would have been at a regimental level.

GG grandpa's writing seems to infer more that they were company based. He was regular US Cavalry, 10th TN, part of the 2nd Division, 4th Corps. This was a comparatively heavily populated outfit in 1864. Wilson was getting ready to invade Alabama in early spring 1864. Prior to that the 10th under Edward Hatch had chased Wheeler back and forth along the north side of the Tennessee river down in Alabama and then skirmished with the AOT during the Tennessee campaign Sep-Dec 64.

larry_cockerham · #22 01-31-2007, 02:20 PM

Ole, my ancestor was fined $25 for losing a revolver! Aside from obviously sharing my forgetful genes, that tells me that he wasn't often in the center of combat as you suggest. This is, at least to me, a fascinating topic and I'm very greatful to all of you for the information. GG Grandpa had been injured at provost headquarters in Tullahoma about June 1, 1864 while shoeing an unruly horse that pinned his scrawny 5-5 frame against a toolbox and broke a few ribs. At that time the 10th was under the watchful eye of Robert H. Milroy, the noted hater of West Pointers! Hence, his cherished command in lost backwoods Tennessee, though they were guarding the then under construction railroad that was later to supply Sherman's army in Georgia. GG Grandpa was scooped up and hauled to Pulaski, TN to recuperate before going back to the company in September.

rock city guard · #23 01-31-2007, 03:01 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ole

The "Official Military Atlas...." has drawings of both a battery wagon and travelling forge. The picture provided is a battery wagon. Jay's link lists the supplies carried. (Thanks, Jay.) A farrier with pre-made shoes would need only a hammer, nails, rasp, pliers and trimmer.

Suspect that the smithys -- like pioneers, teamsters, stewards and staff -- were kept back from the fighting and became involved only in desperate situations wherein every musket became necessary.
Ole

The link I provided have a very nice traveling forge, they have pictures and I would lke to make a traveling forge very much. Wheels are very costly though

ole · #24 01-31-2007, 05:27 PM

The Regulation Cavalry Company had 2 farriers and one wagoner. The Regulation Battery (4 to 6 guns) had 2 artificers. I'd suppose an artificer would have been useless without a forge and material to make repairs.
Ole

scone · #25 01-31-2007, 06:00 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rock city guard

Steve,

I has going to say, that looks like a battery wagon. I've seen blacksmiths use them as a "Supply shed". I don't recall them actually using them as a travelling forge.

It is a wagon not a forge .. I will see If I can get a picture of the forge

johan_steele · #26 01-31-2007, 08:41 PM

Larry a smity or Ferrier was often paid extra (whether an extra ration or extra $ I don't recall) and in garrison or in down time was expected to shoe horses, repair metal tack as needed etc. It also meant he was exempt from details & guard or pickett duty. That means he didn't have to gather wood, dig sinks, fetch water or feed for the horses...

Cav often carried a small traveling forge, minimal tools & light duty anvil on a pack horse. They worked long hours and were exempt from duties but they still ended up on the sharp end more than occasionally; especially during active campaigning.

As a note on one occasion a CS Arty Blacksmith introduced his sledge into a melee... he was the star of the event and highly unpopular to his Union foes. IIRC the event was mentioned in my Shiloh reading. The complaint was that while the reach on a Springfield w/ bayonet was superior... that smithy knew how to throw that @#$% hammer.

rock city guard · #27 01-31-2007, 09:15 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by johan_steele

As a note on one occasion a CS Arty Blacksmith introduced his sledge into a melee... he was the star of the event and highly unpopular to his Union foes. IIRC the event was mentioned in my Shiloh reading. The complaint was that while the reach on a Springfield w/ bayonet was superior... that smithy knew how to throw that @#$% hammer.

ewh, that wouldn't be pretty.

rock city guard · #28 01-31-2007, 09:17 PM

if you haven't seen the forging video, its pretty cool.

ole · #29 02-01-2007, 12:52 AM

Brings up a whole 'nother back story. The people for whom they were responsible might be out there shooting and gettin shot at, but the farriers, and artificers, and stewards, and pioneers, and musicians were very much a part of every battle. It is not difficult to imagine a teamster rushing forward a wagon to resupply ammo or water. Or musicians pressed to retrieve wounded, or that freakin' artificer swinging a 4-pound hammer in your face.

The war was not limited to the private or the general. It was man for man. That one. Him. Salute.

larry_cockerham · #30 02-01-2007, 10:18 AM

Well written, Ole and to the point. Every man, woman, and child was in this mess, whether voluntarily or not. My gg Grandpa was 5'5" tall, weighed maybe 150 lbs soaking wet. He also had four children at home with their mother when he entered the service. Born in 1833 that made him 30 years of age, an old man by civil war standards. Older might have been wiser or at least more life experience.