The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1893-12-24

was formed OF the men who were capab
OF bearing arms and could supply the
own horses. Nearly every big plants
ton, or even every small farm had fun
nlshed fits master or his sons for the cav
AIRY. That was the arm mich suited e1
actly the character and taste OF tn
eoutherner.
in the south to-day the horse IS the mos
favored means OF transportation for mar
women. and child. and nearly all me-
who Joined the southern cavalry wer
from their early youth fond OF all sorts y
sports. especially OF daring horseman
ship.
In Virginia, as well as in the adjoining
States OF the Confederacy, one or more
packs Of splendid dogs were kept before
the war on nearly every farm. and during
the season the neighbors IN the various
districts convened several times during
the week 70 indulge IN fOx-hunting.
In those times mountain and valley
resounded with the calls Of merry hunts
men and the animated barking or the
pack while chasing the game. They
were nearly all excellent riders sitting
easy IN the Sdllits uhls ih' A"'ti ifNo'''
&C Isins fully prepared 10 take every OBJ
gtaele with elegance and boldness.
The saddling and bridling was very
plain ard easy. Mexican saddles made
OF some tough wood, with an opening
above the back of the horse TO pro-
mote the circulation Of the air, and
blanket spread underneath stirrups
made Of hickory wood bent in the fire.
and provided in front with an open
leather shoe 10 protect the foot OF me
rider against the mud and the wet. The
baggage fastened 10 the saddle, usually
consisted only Of a rolled rubber blanket,
n leather pocket containing the reserve
horfe-shces. and another for the smaller
utensils Of the rider They used the
curb-bits. sometimes only the plain bit.
and never both together; the former
provided with hooks and fastened TO the
halter. They also carried a long leather
halter strap. tied TO a ring on the fore
part OF the saddle. which had the advan-
tsge to allow the horse, afer dismounting
during longer stops, 10 pasture the lux
uriant grass for a larger distance.
The rider carried light bent sabre,
a revolver Colts PATENT, and long
carblne on his back. His clothes were
10 consist OF the light gray, regulation
Jacket, with yellow collar. and light gray
trousers, with yellow stripes in high
boots, and a cap after the French pat
tern
During the campaign. however various
changes were made so that IL was hardly
admissible TO speak any longer Of uni |
forms The cap was nearly everywhere |
replaced by a light round felt hat, |
with a wide brim, turned up at |
one SIDE ornamented with ostrich |
or other feathers, by those who could |
afford II.
This felt hat proved 10 be the best |
head-gear for the soldiers; 1t protected |
against the sun, as well as the rain. |
and with a piece OF cloth as a lining, /
II was as much of a safeguard against |
a sabre cut as a helmet
The value Of the horse furnished by |
the rider was officially estimated, and in
case the animal was lost in the service,
Il was paid for I'm Confederate money: |
the amount however. invariably proved |
10 be insufficient, on account Of the low |
value OF that money.
For the purchase Of horse, a six-weeks |
leave Of absence was granted the rider. |
bat on his return at the elapse OF that
time. without a horse, he was mustered
into a regiment Of infantry.
For this reason, good deal OF horse
stealing was perpetrated at that time
prompted not so much by the sefshness
|
Enabled TO continue the service I'm the
'avalry under all circumstances.
According TO his rank. each general
lad at his headquarters a number Of
'0uriers, answering 10 the Ordinances"
n the German army. They We're Sc
ected from the best mounted, most expe-
fenced. and best acquainted men i'm the
avalry. Stuart for instance, always
lad some ten or twelve such young men
With him, who were fully equal to Prus-
ian ordnance officers as far as bold and
airing horsemanship was concerned.
The horses OF the southern states were OF
he most excellent quality at the beginning
nd during the first two years of the war.
ror many years the South had been ia
ious for It's rational manner of raising |
orses. Valuable stations had been i'm
orted from England regardless OF cost.
nd among them were two that had won
he English Derby
The horses were OF medium size, of
legant build, and Of extraordinary endur-
nee they were also famous for their
emile habits and extreme docility. In
he bivouacs. where thousands OF horses
iere often hitched closely together, and
mong them quite a large percentage of
tallions,- rarely any noise could be heard: |
here was no biting, kicking, paving. or
,ud neighlng, as can usually be heard |
4 European armies even among much
mailer collections Of horses.
A great disadvantage among the horses
the South proved TO be the tenderness
I their hoofs. caused In most instances
y the fact that before ,ne war only COM
aratiyely few horses in the South were
nod This deficiency was less noticed
n soft roads. but IL was so much more
)ticeable In the mountains and on stony
round. The shoes, which found but
tile hold in the decaying hoof. often
nd easily got lost. the hoofs soon run of
the flesh. and the horses had TO be
II behind. utterly lame, for the reason
,st their riders had no experience i'm put
ng on the shoes which they carried in
.serve. For this reason many a dar-
~ horseman fell into the hands OF the
lrsuing enemy.
Notwithstanding all disadvantages. the
lvalry OF the South continued 10 remain
perior TO that OF the North for its daring
'rsemanship and the force OF its charges.
Only two days before the surrender of ,
e army Of Northern Virginia. at Apo
attox Courthouse. In April 1860. the
'eatly reduced division OF Fitz Lee |
ith its exhausted men and half-starved
,rses. won a splendid victory over the
,stile masses OF cavalry pressing on
ON all sides, and from whose midst
ey brought back as prisoner the COM }
ander OF a regiment.
The great regenerators Of the Pru sssan
valry. Prince Friedrich Carl and Cen
81 Won Schmid. fully recognized this fact,
ID both highly respected General j. +. d.
uart. the man who inculcated his
horsemanship into his sub
dinate troops. They not only es-
emed him for his bravery. for his quick y
and for his bold military
oyements. but they fully recognized the | r