Robert Gray
Sergeant Major
- Joined
- Jul 24, 2012
Giesboro Point Cavalry Depot was the logistics hub of the Union Army's cavalry in the Eastern Theater. By providing a ready supply of mounts to the Army of the Potomac, the depot made an important contribution as the army slugged it out in Virginia. Over 200,000 horses were received, issued, died or sold at Giesboro during the war.
In July 1863, the Cavalry Bureau was established to "systematize and regulate the purchase and supply of horses to the cavalry." The Secretary of War directed the bureau's new chief, Major General George Stoneman, to establish six cavalry depots including one near Washington. Stoneman selected George Washington Young's farm at Giesboro Point as the most suitable site, likely due to its flat terrain and easy access to river transportation, and the army took possession on August 12, 1863. Young was paid an annual rent of $6,000 from 1863 to 1866. The seizing of property for military purposes in and around Washington was quite common during the war as hospitals, camps, warehouses, and a network of fortifications were established. As part of the Defenses of Washington, Forts Carroll and Greble were constructed on the high ground above Giesborough Manor.
The army quickly built wharves along the property's Potomac shoreline, 32 stables, buildings, and other necessary infrastructure. The Depot was designed to hold up to 30,000 horses, although the largest number present at any one time was about 21,000. From January 1864 to the end of the war, Giesboro handled 170,622 cavalry horses; issuing 97,580 for use by the Army and selling 48,721 as unfit for military service. Waterworks consisting of a reservoir, steam pumps and 27,000 feet of piping were installed. The Depot's staff of nearly 1500 grew its own vegetables, slaughtered its own beef and milled its own wheat. The horseshoeing shop alone employed over 100 blacksmiths. The Depot's steam grist mill grinded grain and cut hay and straw. At full capacity, the Depot was estimated to generate 700 tons of manure a day.
The installation's veterinary hospital had stalls for treating 2,500 invalid horses. The unprecedented concentration of horses did contribute to equine disease outbreaks, such as glanders, and more than 17,000 horses were lost to disease between January 1864 and April 1865.
With each horse costing the government at least $150, the staggering financial cost of these losses brings to mind Lincoln's statement that "I can make more generals, but horses cost money."
Camp Stoneman, named after the chief of the Cavalry Bureau, was established adjacent to the depot to house cavalry troopers as they waited remounts. When Jubal Early's Confederate army threatened Washington in July 1864, several hundred dismounted troopers from Camp Stoneman participated in the capital's defense.
With the end of the war, the Government began the process of decommissioning the Cavalry Depot. The country's small peacetime regular army had no need for thousands of mounts. Over 50,000 surplus horses, including many that had not been fit for military service, were sold at public auctions held at Giesboro. These equestrian sales brought $1,251,722 into the Treasury. Other depot supplies were also sold off including thirteen frame building and $9,000 worth of manure.
Upon the army's return of his property in February1866, George Washington Young unsuccessfully tried to sell the tract. Young died in 1867, but his estate received $2,640 from the government as compensation for any damages the property may have suffered during the war.
Today, there are no extant vestiges of the Cavalry Depot or Camp Stoneman. But, the spirit of service to the defense of the nation lives on through the soldiers, sailors, airmen and civilians who each day serve their country at Anacostia-Bolling AFB.
Edited from a blog about Civil War Washington, D.C. All research was done by the author, an amateur historian whose name is Steven. Many thanks, Steven, for your excellent article.
Photo credits: National Archives (NARA-524975 and NARA-526206)
In July 1863, the Cavalry Bureau was established to "systematize and regulate the purchase and supply of horses to the cavalry." The Secretary of War directed the bureau's new chief, Major General George Stoneman, to establish six cavalry depots including one near Washington. Stoneman selected George Washington Young's farm at Giesboro Point as the most suitable site, likely due to its flat terrain and easy access to river transportation, and the army took possession on August 12, 1863. Young was paid an annual rent of $6,000 from 1863 to 1866. The seizing of property for military purposes in and around Washington was quite common during the war as hospitals, camps, warehouses, and a network of fortifications were established. As part of the Defenses of Washington, Forts Carroll and Greble were constructed on the high ground above Giesborough Manor.
The army quickly built wharves along the property's Potomac shoreline, 32 stables, buildings, and other necessary infrastructure. The Depot was designed to hold up to 30,000 horses, although the largest number present at any one time was about 21,000. From January 1864 to the end of the war, Giesboro handled 170,622 cavalry horses; issuing 97,580 for use by the Army and selling 48,721 as unfit for military service. Waterworks consisting of a reservoir, steam pumps and 27,000 feet of piping were installed. The Depot's staff of nearly 1500 grew its own vegetables, slaughtered its own beef and milled its own wheat. The horseshoeing shop alone employed over 100 blacksmiths. The Depot's steam grist mill grinded grain and cut hay and straw. At full capacity, the Depot was estimated to generate 700 tons of manure a day.
The installation's veterinary hospital had stalls for treating 2,500 invalid horses. The unprecedented concentration of horses did contribute to equine disease outbreaks, such as glanders, and more than 17,000 horses were lost to disease between January 1864 and April 1865.
With each horse costing the government at least $150, the staggering financial cost of these losses brings to mind Lincoln's statement that "I can make more generals, but horses cost money."
Camp Stoneman, named after the chief of the Cavalry Bureau, was established adjacent to the depot to house cavalry troopers as they waited remounts. When Jubal Early's Confederate army threatened Washington in July 1864, several hundred dismounted troopers from Camp Stoneman participated in the capital's defense.
With the end of the war, the Government began the process of decommissioning the Cavalry Depot. The country's small peacetime regular army had no need for thousands of mounts. Over 50,000 surplus horses, including many that had not been fit for military service, were sold at public auctions held at Giesboro. These equestrian sales brought $1,251,722 into the Treasury. Other depot supplies were also sold off including thirteen frame building and $9,000 worth of manure.
Upon the army's return of his property in February1866, George Washington Young unsuccessfully tried to sell the tract. Young died in 1867, but his estate received $2,640 from the government as compensation for any damages the property may have suffered during the war.
Today, there are no extant vestiges of the Cavalry Depot or Camp Stoneman. But, the spirit of service to the defense of the nation lives on through the soldiers, sailors, airmen and civilians who each day serve their country at Anacostia-Bolling AFB.
Edited from a blog about Civil War Washington, D.C. All research was done by the author, an amateur historian whose name is Steven. Many thanks, Steven, for your excellent article.
Photo credits: National Archives (NARA-524975 and NARA-526206)
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