How did cavalry carry everything on their saddle?

The average civil war cavalry trooper had to carry more than just his weapons. He had to carry his bedroll, shelter, canteen, poncho, picket pin, lariat, haversack, and much more! How and where did they put all of it when riding on campaign?

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[wmsollenberger]

Always been fascinated with U.S. Cavalry "how they did it" and this tutorial was most enjoyable! thanks!!

[WillysCJ]

The practicality of keeping your canteen and haversack on you shows if you had to leave your saddle in a hurry to take cover. Long hot day with no food or water. Maybe more of a concern patrolling the plains and western desert.

[kidhammer]

Not desiring to sound like a broken record, again, this very video and the previous one on how to place your saddle have aided me and my understanding of Congdon's with how to become not just a reenactor, but a living historian and better trooper. I'm on my way to practice with my gear as you've shared with us via your video. Again, a superb lesson on all counts. My many thanks to you and the 11 OVC.

[richardliles]

I have read many books on the silver war, but I don’t ever remember reading all of this very important information. Thank you, I find it very interesting.

[INeverMetAGunIDidntLike]

Thanks for showing how to roll the straps.

[olddammike]

My two cents on the canteen. Never put it on your horse. If you attach it to the saddle in any fashion that does not beat on the horse or some item of your gear, you cannot access it. Cavalry should be prepared to fight on foot. You don't want to get stuck in an extended firefight in the sun with your canteen 100 yards away on your horse. I tie the strap up short. Just long enough to get it to my mouth without taking it off, the carbine sling will have to be over top of it. It rides under my left arm, clear of the saber, and controlled by the elbow of the rein hand.

[michaelkrick]

I am not a reenactor but I do enjoy your videos on how all of these cavalry functions were accomplished. One thing that caught my eye early in this video, during the great coat and bedroll segment, was where your carbine was lying. If your horse had taken a step back and stomped it's hoof it would have snapped the stock off right at the wrist. It seems a bit nitpicking but it would be a nearly impossible field repair to make while on maneuvers.

[emilevictorfrench]

Thank you. Good information. My Great Grandfather, George Henry McCoon, was in the 3rd Wisconsin, and he is the trooper in the photo you use. I have always been curious about all the aspects of his service. In the photo he is escorting a young prisoner between the hospital and stockade at Fort Scott in Kansas. He was on detached service to Fort Scott because of injuries and illness and was serving in their Ordinance department. So, the manner in which his equipment(s) are arranged may not be typical. NOTE: He has his service revolver in his left hand in case the prisoner attempts to flee.

[alunderwood]

Spot on regarding the pin and lariat just drop em in the nosebag! Pointy end down against the leather base of the nosebag....and in a pinch and your saber breaks, you have an instant ready pointy sharp thing accessible.

[stevelipke]

Very good demonstration and practical examples of how to stow your gear. Thank you.

[josephgonzales]

I love your videos even though I am a infantry reenactor. A lot of your videos carries over. Keep up the good work. 💣

[alunderwood]

My 35 years of cavalry reenacting and years in the US Army horse cavalry units alwaysed me to fold my gum blanket broad enough to cover my great coat (to keep it dry) and on the pommel for easy access if caught in a coming storm. You could undo the coat straps, remove the gum blanket and put it on while on the move. NEVER roll you blanket or great coat up in the gumblanket...defeats the purpose of having it.

[richrich]

Understood, keep my cloths out of the dirt but not my rifle. Lol!

[ahall]

No need to tie up the middle strap when fitting the poncho...it secured and ready for use

[brendonbewersdorf]

Thank you for this video I have been trying to find some extra visual aids for a fictional war story I've been writing this helped me visualize calvary saddles

[AustrianTommy]

Excellent Video again.
What about showing and explainig all the horse equipment (saddle, brushes, bridle...) and their official use?
Was there a specific manual for horse care?

[alunderwood]

On the canteen, keep it on you and had a little strap to buckle it off to my Saber belt or if on the saddle I out it on rhe OFF side and tucked it into the top of the feed bag and it didn't bounce at all.

[Tomatohater]

As a monumental Civil War buff, I love all these videos. It's great to actually see the primary sources and realize that no matter what era we look at, soldiers are soldiers and they will always improvise.

[NSYresearch]

I thought your horse eas gonna stomp on your carbine at one point ...phew!!!

[HemlockRidge]

Not the greatest place to leave your Sharps. Horse could break your stock.