Cavalry Question

[Missouri 1st]

I'm not up to speed on the capabilities of cavalry and am no horsemen, but I have a question. While reading a book on J.O. Shelby, I read that he was in Mayfield, AR, under the command of Marmaduke, prepared to meet Federal forays into Arkansas and try to prevent a junction of Blunt and Herron. The Confederates were suprised to find out that Federal cavalry was "much closer than expected". In my minds eye I pictured cavalry seated around a fire while on pickett duty guarding ford/bridge/road junction and having to scamble to meet the enemy.

My question, assuming that horses are not saddled and need to be "unburdened" to rest/recuperate, how quickly can a man saddle his mount and be battle ready? I know that optimally there should be advance guards to give fair warning, but that is not always practical.

If there is a thread that answers please post a link.

Thanks

 

[Custers Luck]

I think on day not under battle, boots and saddles would be about 10 min.

 

[diane]

I'm thinking probably, but if you were with Forrest it was a lot faster!

 

[EJ Zander]

shots fired can be a strong motivator to get something done faster then usual. conversly the added stress and adrenaline dump can cause errors to be made depends on the discipline and training. alot of varibles to consider but I'd say these guys had excellent muscle memory tacking up since they preformed these funtions daily. I say under 10 min (no offense Custers).

 

[diane]

Adrenaline is a wonderful thing. I was thinking of the Brits' wooden navy - Nelson used to train his gunners until they just hated the routine and could do it in their sleep. That's what he wanted - in combat he knew they would be scared stupid and would be operating on automatic!

 

[ole]

I'm thinking 5 to 10 mi8nutes. The first minute is figuring out who you are and where you are. The next few is to throw on the blanket, the saddle, and kneeing the horse to make it exhale before tightening the girth. Ten minutes at the max.

That's what videttes are for .... early warning.

For addition information or misinformation, if you were in the active cavalry, you didn't get to eat or sleep until you took care of your horse.

 

[Custers Luck]

shots fired can be a strong motivator to get something done faster then usual. conversly the added stress and adrenaline dump can cause errors to be made depends on the discipline and training. alot of varibles to consider but I'd say these guys had excellent muscle memory tacking up since they preformed these funtions daily. I say under 10 min (no offense Custers).

no offense made I said..day of no battle 10 min... now under battle I would say close to 5.

 

[Drew]

I've no idea, but it's a good question. I'm bumping this up as I see horse person M.E. Wolf is logged on - perhaps we can get a definitive answer.

 

[Poor Private]

When I was riding a horse regularly I could toss on a saddle and bridle in under 5 minutes, and that was not rushing . If I was in a hurry 3-5. It don't take long to saddle a horse if you know how. Watch a western sometime, the Duke could saddle a horse with the best of them. Toss on a blanket, then the saddle reach under grab the girth and chinch it up, then a bit in the mouth and place the leather over the ears and hop on. Lickity split. Now if I was doing it right- You curry the horse first to check for no burrs, and stuff matted in the hair. check the hoofs for stones and dirt, then place the blanket and smooth out so no wrinkles, then the saddle and cinch. For the bridle on a cold day warm up the bit and make sure it is clean then put it in and slide the ear piece over the ears and if a chin strap buckle it up. 20 minutes on a good day.

 

[M E Wolf]

I've no idea, but it's a good question. I'm bumping this up as I see horse person M.E. Wolf is logged on - perhaps we can get a definitive answer.

You rang? LOL

Ok, when there was a battlefield or potential engagements there was a portion of the Cavalry that was saddled up ready to ride with a tight girth and all things in place for the rider to mount. The mounted patrol, videttes were posted as fully equipped and marching. In the early part of the war, they were flankers -- outside the line of march watching and scouting to the sides as to lessen side attack surprises. This job was for light Cavalry. Heavy Cavalry was more assigned to Reserves -- "back up." It was like a 'leap frog' type deal - one portion ready and a portion semi-ready (saddled but girth loose, bridle and bit on the saddle and tethered) and some 'at rest' (unsaddled, no bridle-just in halter munching food and drinking water and nap time/rest time). Giving a cascade effect/affect as to give horses a chance of recovery.

Cavalry marches, according to the 1861 Revised Regulations for the Army of the United States, Article: 42 Marches as to assemble armies:

Cavalry departed at 6 o'clock A.M., march 45 minutes, halt 10 minutes to loosen girth, re-seat the saddle, check hooves and shoes and rest the horse. Operating on trumpet calls, the vanguard stops at the same time as the head column; and rear guard keeps a proper distance from the rear. During these halts, the horses have their girths tighten and their hooves inspected yet again. This being repeated every 2 1/2 miles during the first portion of the march and extended to 6 or 7 miles without a halt, alternatively walking and trotting for about 100 minutes (1 hr. 40 min) until a proper halt can be conducted as to allow a break for the troopers and horses. This break is for the men to eat and horses to be rested usually being the middle of the march. This is repeated in the second portion of the march. It is calculated that a column of Cavalry alternatively walking and trotting with the rests every 2 1/2 miles, the Cavalry trooper will get over 6 miles in an hour and that is depending on the condition of the horse.

In the beginning, I saddled a horse, which means bridle, saddle, breast place, crupper, and my own dressing with saber, gauntlets took me 10 minutes. With practice I shaved it to 1 1/2 minutes by stop watch. Mounting a horse, I could 'walk on' and tighten the girth by laying my left leg or right leg to tighten the girth (pre-elastic) and sitting on the cantle, could tighten the over-girth (that portion that helps keep the saddle in place in addition to the girth). This shaving off valuable time.

Hope this assists.

M. E. Wolf

 

[Drew]

You rang? LOL

I knew it!

 

[Lazy Bayou]

I'm thinking probably, but if you were with Forrest it was a lot faster!

If bullets were flyin' it was really fast.

 

[cash]

I'm thinking probably, but if you were with Forrest it was a lot faster!

Well, if Forrest was across the lake it would take a minute or so for him to walk across the water to get to the horse.

 

[Nathanb1]

Well, if Forrest was across the lake it would take a minute or so for him to walk across the water to get to the horse.

I assumed the horse would come to him.

 

[cash]

I assumed the horse would come to him.

The horse's wings were being groomed, though.

 

[Nathanb1]

If bullets were flyin' it was really fast.

I guarantee I could saddle a horse in lightning speed with bullets to motivate me.

I do remember my dad saddling a horse in under a minute at a horse show....for some reason they put him up first in the reining right after the halter class....and boy, he came running out to the truck, where I was leisurely spraying about a ton of shiny spray on old Flying Star, grabbed that saddle and bridle, and took off. He was still adjusting the bridle when he went into the arena. They won, of course. I was still sitting on the truck with my mouth open.

 

[Nathanb1]

The horse's wings were being groomed, though.

If it was Roderick or King Philip, don't forget the halo.

 

[Missouri 1st]

So in my little scenario, it is quite possible for my squad of J.O. Shelby raiders to cook/eat/sleep but be capable of preparing their mounts and ready for action should they have minimal warning, ie, a pistol shot from a forward scout (LP/OP, from my service time.)

Now I guess all the variables could be thrown in like over worked and/or poorly fed horses, weather, terrain (swamps of Louisiana, Mississippi, mountains of TN, AR, etc) all affecting the distances and time to rest...obviously.

Thank you all, I appreciate the responses.

 

[Southron]

In his reminiscences, dictated after the turn of the Century, my Great Grandfather's older brother, Captain Dickinson Sanders of the 2nd Georgia Cavalry described their daily camping routine behind the Yanked lines when they rode with Forrest. In the evening, after their horses were cared for, they would fix supper, eat and then go to sleep. Although he did not state it, I am sure they loosened the girths of their horses

Each man would lie down in full uniform (including leaving his boots on) and go to sleep with the reins on his saddled horse draped around his wrist. So if necessary, they could be up. tighten the girth and be in the saddle with just an instant notice.

He also stated that they moved their camp site several times during the night. The result was that they were never surprised by the Yankees in camp.

If you want to read a "tale of woe" read about the capture of the 3rd Georgia Cavalry. Their Colonel was such a dunce that when they went into camp one evening, he didn't bother to post any Picketts.

They were surprised and captured by the Yankees.The Colonel was court martialed by the Confedrate army when he was exchanged and returned to within Southern lines. The Colonel was found guilty of neglect and sent home in disgrace.

 

[DixieRifles]

This brings up the question of preparing to fight. Did they unload their weapons at night? Did they have to re-load their pistols and rifles before riding out?
I always wondered about the details of caring for their weapons out in the field. Even if they didn't fire their weapon the previous day, I would expect they had to unload them. If they didn't unload them, any night with fog or high humidity---common in the South---would play effect the powder load. The powder can absorb moisture which will contribute to rust and a misfire. I would oil my gun every night if I lived out in the field.