Dawna, if you're serious about doing a Cav impression this is a rough idea of the prices you'll be spending on gear. As you can see it can add up in a hurry. THe prices are probably w/in 10% or so of current. What I haven't included are the prices on harness, saddle etc as I can't seem to find the vendor that makes good repop cav harnesses & saddles.
This is for Union gear of the western theatre. If you find a unit to join many units will have used or loaner gear that they are willing to part w/ for a bit cheaper.
THese prices are approx for some mainstream sutlers... depending on how you want to go their are other more authentic vendors out there but prices can go upwards in a hurry.
Pistols: 1860 Colt $189.95 or
1858 Remington New Model Army 189.95
Carbine: 1859 Sharps Carbine $734.95 or
Smith Carbine $720
Sabre... I say forget it, most Cav of the west had a tendency to lose them along the side of the road or put them in storage.
Leathers & such
Poncho $40
Spurs $20
Spur straps $9
Canteen, 1858 Smoothside $38.95
Pistol holster $32.50
cap box $30
Belt & buckle $20
Carbine Sling $45.95
Carbine socket $20
Carbine Cartridge box $39.50
Tin cup $12
Tin plate $6
Blanket $45
Saddle blanket $45
Canvas bucket $10
Canvas feed bag $10
Fork spoon $12
Pocket knife $6
Brogans $85… otherwise square toed riding boots which get pricey fast.
Uniform
Cav trousers $70
Sack coat $70… shell jacket is a bit more... if you want a cav shell jacket let me know & I'll give you a deal on my old one.
Vest $55
Mounted overcoat $190
Cap $35 This would be the standard forage cap... again many of the men preffered a slouch hat as it provide better shade and the soldier could water his horse w/ it.
Well, I'm sure I forgot some pieces of gear...
__________________ Few take the trouble to understand or to view the American scene with perspective. And we Americans love to find ourselves guilty of something. However, it is never I who am guilty, but those other Americans, the past or present government or the other political party. Americans almost never find other countries guilty. It is always ourselves or our fancied influence in other countries. Louis L'amour
Thank you very much for your offer to give me a deal on your shell jacket, and for the quotes and sutler websites...I'm assuming that these prices are in American dollars?
I have a few tack and clothing related questions, if you don't mind. I would think I may have to consider wearing boy's clothing, since I am on the petite size and would probably find myself dwarfed by the average man's uniform. Footwear may be another consideration since my boot size is a ladie's 6.
A huge concern for me is Jesse's back and because he is a tobiano paint, his back his completely white. Jesse is a very solid horse with good withers but they are not prominent. His withers are extremely sensitive to skin irritations and these past two summers I have tried different saddle pad combinations until I have found something that works for his particular sensitivities. I ride with a therapeutic pad under his navajo and this is an absolute must in the summer, along with completely hosing the back area down after each and every ride. It's not such an issue in winter because of his winter coat and less hours in the saddle.
When I took Jesse to Otter Creek, N.Y. this past summer, I was averaging 6 to 6 1/2 hours in the saddle every day, and I used an even thicker pad on those particular days. There are ways of making a therapeutic pad look less conspicuous, and my hope is that although this item is not authentic to the time period, some leeway would be given regarding the comfort of the horse?
My other question is concerning blacksmithing and usually I keep my horses shod on all four with corks because of the terrain I ride in. I can pull the backs, if required, although it is often beneficial to have that extra traction with corks under slippery conditions, but not an absolute necessity. I'm curious as to how the re-enactors shoe their horses and if this is an area of total authenticity as well?
I know that Health Certificates are only good for 30 days while a Coggins is good for 90 - do you know if the horses are also required to have passports?
Thanks in advance Shane...can you tell I'm excited?!
Yes the prices were in US dollars. Bootwear shouldn't be an issue as quite a few vendors sell items intended for the youth of the hobby. As to horse passports... I don't have any idea.
I was told a couple years ago at an event by a Union Cav man... the "horses health is first" & frankly most of the public wouldn't know the difference between a horse and a mule in the first place let alone their shoes. As to therapuetic pads... I recall seeing one on horse of the (IIRC) 1st Alabama.
__________________ Few take the trouble to understand or to view the American scene with perspective. And we Americans love to find ourselves guilty of something. However, it is never I who am guilty, but those other Americans, the past or present government or the other political party. Americans almost never find other countries guilty. It is always ourselves or our fancied influence in other countries. Louis L'amour
The last weeks have been very hard upon us. Atlanta is ours, but General Hood has flown with his army and they continue to make trouble. WE chase him now; hoping to catch him and bring him to battle so that we might make whip him and make him run again. When we are not marching and fighting we fall by the wayside of the march and collapse in exhaustion. To eat, sleep, march and fight has become our lot in life.
I have served the Union faithfully for more than three years now, my friends in the regiment are fewer. Between sickness and battle we have all become hard men. This war has hardened our hearts and minds. I fear for the state of our souls. We find ourselves contemptuous of suffering; sympathy for the enemy that has dragged us this far is lacking. WE know to expect no welcome in this land of Rebellion and have come to view with suspicion any who would show us kindness.
A week last a squad of cavalry with a negro guide were tracking a group of guerillas and stopped to water and rest their mounts near a pleasant little farm. The matron of the home brought them tea as she had no coffee to offer them. The horse soldiers were grateful for her kindness and gave her a poke sack full of coffee in thanks. The tea was made with yellow jasmine which is a fearful poison; the Negro guide and two of the men died, three more are unfit for service and likely to die.
The guerillas were secreted nearby and chose this time to attack with a yell and a charge. We were close to hand and marching hard when we heard the yell. We formed line and double quicked through the trees. Our first volley caught them in flank and emptied many a saddle. When they saw that they faced infantry in line they took discretion to mean the better part of valor and withdrew. If the cowards had not announced themselves with that yell we might have been too late to rescue the cavalry.
Between the Sergeant and Corporal Steele we discovered what had happened. The guerrillas were back tracked far enough to know that the witch was in league with them.
We emptied her larder, bayoneted the dog and cast her from her house in preparation for firing the place. It was at this time that a guerrilla wearing the uniform of a Confederate Captain rode into our midst with a flag of truce and demanded that we follow the rules of civilized warfare and spare the property of the “widowed mother” our rage.
Corporal Steele noted a resemblance between the witch and the Captain. He fixed his bayonet and strongly suggested that the man dismount, my Springfield pointed at his belly helped strengthen the suggestion. He was made to dig the graves for the poisoned men and then another. A bullet was more than the man deserved and he was introduced to the French style of bayonet play. We burned it all and marched away to the sounds of the witch cursing our existence.
I do not think any in our company could have put a rope round a woman’s neck; no matter how much she might have deserved such a fate. To poison men is a terrible thing, beyond evil. It is terrifying enough to steel oneself to face the elephant, but to die by poison offered by one pretending a kindness is an evil that I cannot fathom. I am not proud of our actions at that little farm; though I see the necessity of our actions.
The guerrillas will think hard before trying such a ruse again. We did not bury the fallen guerrillas or treat their wounded; we left their carcasses to the animals. If their companions return to care for their wounded and dead they shall hear the tale and understand our point.
The hate turned towards us is so difficult to explain. In some places we are treated well and we return the sentiment in kind. In other places we are treated as saviors from oppression. Yet others have spit upon us and treated us as the devils own host. It is difficult to stay good Christian men in the face of such venom. There are men weaker than I that have done things that will haunt them the rest of their lives.
I wish this terrible war over and to see the men who started it swinging from a tall tree with a short rope around their necks. Politicians and greedy swine began this war and they weather it far from danger while the men of the south face us on the field of battle. I have sympathy for the men we face; we all do, as they face the same dangers that threaten us all. The Angel of Death hovers near waiting to take those who are ready for judgment before the lord. It is Gods will that he alone judge those who have sinned; it is soldiers job to arrange that judgment.
Mrs. Steele and Little Miss Myra have remained in the city cooking for the officers that are too useless to fight. They pay well for her food. We broke open a Rebel bank and parsed out the script of Rebellion among us. Mrs. Steele pays for everything with Confederate folding money saving her coin for after the war. She and the Corporal intend to open an inn and tavern after the war. With her splendid cooking I have no doubt it will be a profitable and successful business.
I pray that I will be able to make something of myself after this terrible war is ended. The sooner so that I might return home and leave this wretched land of Secession.
I beg you little sister, send more news from home. I pray that what we are doing here is for the good and that the sacrifices we have made are worth it. The evils we have seen and come to accept tear at our souls. WE know it is for a better tomorrow that we fight and letters from home remind us of why we fight.
God Bless and keep you Little Sister.
Your Brother
__________________ Few take the trouble to understand or to view the American scene with perspective. And we Americans love to find ourselves guilty of something. However, it is never I who am guilty, but those other Americans, the past or present government or the other political party. Americans almost never find other countries guilty. It is always ourselves or our fancied influence in other countries. Louis L'amour
Shane, you mentioned the 1st. Alabama. Is that the unit that is based here in Wisconsin? Do you know the guys at all? Just wondering. And yes, fantastic letter. Is that one you wrote or on that you have in your archives of originals?
Dawna, I'll get you the number of a sutler that is in our area. I'm at work now, so I shall get it for you later, but the name is Castle Keep and I believe they are at reenactor.com. Don't quote me on that, but I think that is them. They are very very reasonable. The owners modo is that he wants to make it affordable for first time re-enactors to get into the hobby. Then you can up grade from there. Not that it is inferior product, for my husband has two pairs of grey wool pants from them and other then a burn hole he had to patch, they are in great shape after 3 months of wear behind the forge. And sorry to offend my military friends here, but a blacksmith is more brutal on clothes then the army is. I know, I do the wash!!
As for shoes, my brother went his first year in modern military black combat boots. Brogans are hard to wear, and the military boots that are out there are expensive, good but expensive. They take a while to break in and get use to. No one is going to expect you to be completely outfitted the first time you go out, and often times if you are missing pieces, someone in the unit has an extra set or something laying around. Obviously you can't go out there in your tennis shoes, but if you have black non-western boots, square toed is preffered, then you should be set for your first event.
Jenna, the last letter is a combo of three different events and an attempt to redo one of the letters I lost when my old PC died a most horrible death. Next one will be on provost duty and an official visit to a house of ill-repute... run for it Father Blue, it's far too late for me. Besides, what in Gods name were you doing outside that house?!
I know vaguely some gents from a first rate Wisconsin unit... what I can't remember is the unit. I recall seeing them at a few re-enactments over the years and they have done a splendid Cav impression of the Progressive to hardcore variety. The reason I recall them was the quality of their horses training and that they had paid a professional Hollywood stunt coordinator to train them and their horses. The first time I saw one of their horses take a hit I was shocked as I thought the poor beast had actually been hurt from the rackett it was making. They carry a combo of Sharps & Smith carbines and to be a member of the unit you have to own your own horse or put forward the $ to have another member billet a horse for you. IIRC they were out of the Madison Whitewater area... not that that helps any.
Dawna, modern engineer boots will work as well, and I'll second the notion to avoid pointy toed boots as they aren't period. The brogans I have are quite comfortable, until I decide to stand on concrete for any length of time.
__________________ Few take the trouble to understand or to view the American scene with perspective. And we Americans love to find ourselves guilty of something. However, it is never I who am guilty, but those other Americans, the past or present government or the other political party. Americans almost never find other countries guilty. It is always ourselves or our fancied influence in other countries. Louis L'amour
Shane: did they all have black Morgans? If that be the group they are usually at Wade House, but usually do Confederate. They are a good group. Gorgeous horses too! But excellent horsemen. Look like they could be rough riders in the wrong time period, but they have deffinately got it going.
As for brogans, my hubby bought some from Coon River Sutlery, paid about $45 for them, but they are the ones made in Mexico, of rough suede. Anyways, he loves them too. Heal cleets and all. But he put the Dr. Shoells cushion in soles in them, since all he does is stand. But he really likes them. He didn't think he would, but he does. My brother on the other hand wears the tall cav boots. He likes those, but my dad, who has the same style, said they were tough to break in, since the leather is sooooooo incredibly thick and unforgiving. But once broken in they are great. Both of them paid about $150-$180 for them at Boscobel a few years ago. My brother also had the special shin guard made for him that the mounted artillary man would have worn. Now that thing is heavy!
Hmm, Jenna I remember at least one Morgan, but there was also an Arabian in the mix. the horse I remember the most was a blue roan w/ a wicked sense of humor... don't ask. That might have been them, I'm pretty certain they have done Bascobel and I thought I heard of them being at Wade House. They do galvanize, playing both sides as needed. Beautiful horses, no doubt and skilled riders. Not like the yahoos that had a horse step on my foot as I was playing dead. Do you have any idea how difficult it is for a corpse not to let out an oath when foot and hoof are introduced, ruined my brogan! I joked the rest of the weekend that I had hoof and foot disease!
__________________ Few take the trouble to understand or to view the American scene with perspective. And we Americans love to find ourselves guilty of something. However, it is never I who am guilty, but those other Americans, the past or present government or the other political party. Americans almost never find other countries guilty. It is always ourselves or our fancied influence in other countries. Louis L'amour
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