allegiant120
Private
- Joined
- Feb 3, 2020
No look up some photos of how it worked. It wouldn't have been for a wagon it is strictly made to attach to the tongue of a plow. Totally different setup for a wagon.
Great question . Even after all these years there should be some evidence. Lydia Leister , whose farm served as Meade's headquarters at Gettysburg , found her property nearly destroyed after the battle . One thing that kept her going was selling the bones of the dead horses at .50 cents a hundred pounds . Even if the bones were collected later , 300 horses and mules should have left something behind . This brings up a question to the relic hunters . With so many horses and mules killed during the war , does anyone ever find horse or mule bones ?I’ve been thinking about this slaughter of 300 mules and horses, etc.
Unless Everyone knew what they were doing with slitting the throats, there is no way this could have been done silently. The mules and horses aren’t stupid and they would have been braying and bugling and neighing, plus major thrashing once this operation got started. Then the wagons being burnt were a major smoke signal to the Confederates.
Where are all the bones? Even at this late date, there would be evidence of such a slaughter and huge piles of nuts, bolts, rims of wheels would be in evidence. Even if this order is in the official records, did it really happen?
The other thing about this, that seems impossible to me, is all the harness. There certainly would be bits of harness left - not much - but some and certainly buckles and bits. You cannot carry off 300 harnesses after you've burnt the wagons. The weight of the harness's alone make that impossible. Financially, killing 300 horses and mules AND leaving good, leather harnesses doesn't make sense for the Feds either.
Beyond the gruesome, horrible, distastefulness of it all, I just can't see 300 men, assigned each to an animal completing this task efficiently.
I’ve been thinking about this slaughter of 300 mules and horses, etc.
Unless Everyone knew what they were doing with slitting the throats, there is no way this could have been done silently. The mules and horses aren’t stupid and they would have been braying and bugling and neighing, plus major thrashing once this operation got started. Then the wagons being burnt were a major smoke signal to the Confederates.
Where are all the bones? Even at this late date, there would be evidence of such a slaughter and huge piles of nuts, bolts, rims of wheels would be in evidence. Even if this order is in the official records, did it really happen?
I don't think metal detectors will pick up bones. I know mine won't. I do occasionally see bones, but I think they are most likely from deer. The woods here are FULL of them. I have at least 10 a night in my yard alone. I doubt anyone back in those days anyone took the time to bury the carcasses. I guess other wildlife scattered them to who knows where. Still looking for the site. I know the general area, just have to prove it, along with many other projects working on.Great question . Even after all these years there should be some evidence. Lydia Leister , whose farm served as Meade's headquarters at Gettysburg , found her property nearly destroyed after the battle . One thing that kept her going was selling the bones of the dead horses at .50 cents a hundred pounds . Even if the bones were collected later , 300 horses and mules should have left something behind . This brings up a question to the relic hunters . With so many horses and mules killed during the war , does anyone ever find horse or mule bones ?
I know they won't pick up bones , but I figured there might be buckles or other metallic items associated with them .I don't think metal detectors will pick up bones. I know mine won't. I do occasionally see bones, but I think they are most likely from deer. The woods here are FULL of them. I have at least 10 a night in my yard alone. I doubt anyone back in those days anyone took the time to bury the carcasses. I guess other wildlife scattered them to who knows where. Still looking for the site. I know the general area, just have to prove it, along with many other projects working on.
If there are, I haven't found them yet. I have looked through everywhere available to look and so far nothing. I am looking at the possibility that the road names may not have been the same back then as they are now. Trying to find maps of those days to compare.I know they won't pick up bones , but I figured there might be buckles or other metallic items associated with them .