Cavalryman of the Western Theater

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George McCoon, company saddler, 3rd Wisconsin Cavalry, Fort Scott, Kansas. Image is taken in front of the fort stables. It looks like he is loaded for bear. :smile:

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Whenever I look at these period photos, I am struck by two impressions: First, I am gobsmacked by how primitive the men and their accoutrements look. Second, I am gobsmacked by how UNLIKE these images most re-enactors look to me. I know I am poking a hornet's nest, but I have never seen a modern day re-enactor who looked anything like either of these boys. I know some of you re-enactors will beat me up about this. That's okay with me. You will object to my objections. I will continue to see you as play-acting in uniforms that are far too starched and clean.

...HOWEVER...

If it weren't for you folks, we'd have no re-enactments at all. Ergo, press on and keep re-enacting.
 
Whenever I look at these period photos, I am struck by two impressions: First, I am gobsmacked by how primitive the men and their accoutrements look. Second, I am gobsmacked by how UNLIKE these images most re-enactors look to me. I know I am poking a hornet's nest, but I have never seen a modern day re-enactor who looked anything like either of these boys. I know some of you re-enactors will beat me up about this. That's okay with me. You will object to my objections. I will continue to see you as play-acting in uniforms that are far too starched and clean.

...HOWEVER...

If it weren't for you folks, we'd have no re-enactments at all. Ergo, press on and keep re-enacting.
I tend to agree with you, the human specimen today is taller and huskier than the boys from back in the day. In the 1860's, I would characterize them as being lean ( for the most part ). But I think this modern image does a decent representation of the ACW soldier. :D

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I think I agree with you. It doesn't look right.
I'm brand new to this forum, but found the site and signed on because of this picture and a desire for Civil War Knowledge.
Please note: The foreground soldier has his side arm ready in his left hand. He is riding a very solid horse, while the other soldier is on what appears to be a mule. The gear in front of George McCoon's saddle probably belongs to the boy on the mule. The boy probably has a splint on his right arm and it could be that he is trussed into his saddle. He looks very young and his cap is similar to ones worm by confederates, who were issued "butternut' outfits. My guess is that he is being escorted between the hospital at Fort Scott and the stockade, by Corporal McCoon.
George Henry McCoon was my Great Grandfather. He was born in New York state around 1828 and died in Oakland, Ca around 1914. He was in the third Wisconsin Cavalry Company I. Company I was decimated at the Baxter Springs massacre. But, he survived the war. He Was Not a big man. A cousin who knew him said he was about 5'6". I am looking forward to more conversation.
 
I'm brand new to this forum, but found the site and signed on because of this picture and a desire for Civil War Knowledge.
Please note: The foreground soldier has his side arm ready in his left hand. He is riding a very solid horse, while the other soldier is on what appears to be a mule. The gear in front of George McCoon's saddle probably belongs to the boy on the mule. The boy probably has a splint on his right arm and it could be that he is trussed into his saddle. He looks very young and his cap is similar to ones worm by confederates, who were issued "butternut' outfits. My guess is that he is being escorted between the hospital at Fort Scott and the stockade, by Corporal McCoon.
George Henry McCoon was my Great Grandfather. He was born in New York state around 1828 and died in Oakland, Ca around 1914. He was in the third Wisconsin Cavalry Company I. Company I was decimated at the Baxter Springs massacre. But, he survived the war. He Was Not a big man. A cousin who knew him said he was about 5'6". I am looking forward to more conversation.
Welcome from NJ, glad to have you joining up. I think you will find a lot of highly knowledgeable people on here that can answer most any type of questions you have.
 
My first impression was , he is holding a pistol pointed at the man in the foreground

Details isnt very clear. But i see his right arm raised up and reaching at the other horse. It looks like his right wrist is just under his chin. His hand & fingers seems deformed or narrow as if he has it rotated.
Then there is the possibility of imaged blurred due to quick movement. But I see most of a hand.
 
I guess I see something different altogether with the guy on the mule! Looks to me as if he has a bundle over his shoulder and is giving it some sort of a hoist, or maybe support. But he could be injured - Ft Scott had a hospital for the whole area and a lot of wounded people would be around. Is that a duster or some coat rolled up in front of the corporal?

Really a nice picture.
 
I don't see any mule, I see a soldier on a smaller horse, mules have bigger ears, are usually bigger. The army bought a lot of smaller horse breeds. Canadian scrub ponies among others. I would say the man is carrying his haversack and most of his gear.
 
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I don't see any mule, I see a soldier on a smaller horse, mules have bigger ears, are usually bigger. The army bought a lot of smaller horse breeds. Canadian scrub ponies among others. I would say the man is carrying his haversack and mot of his gear.

:laugh: You're right - I only glanced at the smaller critter but he is a pony. Thought he was a long eared galoot laying them back!
 
I'm brand new to this forum, but found the site and signed on because of this picture and a desire for Civil War Knowledge.
Please note: The foreground soldier has his side arm ready in his left hand. He is riding a very solid horse, while the other soldier is on what appears to be a mule. The gear in front of George McCoon's saddle probably belongs to the boy on the mule. The boy probably has a splint on his right arm and it could be that he is trussed into his saddle. He looks very young and his cap is similar to ones worm by confederates, who were issued "butternut' outfits. My guess is that he is being escorted between the hospital at Fort Scott and the stockade, by Corporal McCoon.
George Henry McCoon was my Great Grandfather. He was born in New York state around 1828 and died in Oakland, Ca around 1914. He was in the third Wisconsin Cavalry Company I. Company I was decimated at the Baxter Springs massacre. But, he survived the war. He Was Not a big man. A cousin who knew him said he was about 5'6". I am looking forward to more conversation.
Welcome to CWT, enjoy
 
:laugh: You're right - I only glanced at the smaller critter but he is a pony. Thought he was a long eared galoot laying them back!
Looking twice, I agree that I was incorrect. The boy does appear to be riding a pony. There is no family lore regarding this photo. My statements are conjecture. The fact that George Henry has his sidearm at the ready spurred my conjecture that the individual in the background is a prisoner under escort. He coulda just been showing off for the photographer.
Thank you all.
 
Looking twice, I agree that I was incorrect. The boy does appear to be riding a pony. There is no family lore regarding this photo. My statements are conjecture. The fact that George Henry has his sidearm at the ready spurred my conjecture that the individual in the background is a prisoner under escort. He coulda just been showing off for the photographer.
Thank you all.

Welcome to the board! We're always pleased to see family members come in and give us valuable input. Thanks!
 
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