View Full Version : Artillery Drivers Wanted
light12pdr
09-23-2009, 06:18 PM
I am planning to do horse drawn artillery again. In the years that I did it, I found that one of the biggest challenges was finding reliable, knowledgeable drivers. There were lots of people who had the right mindset and wanted to do it but had no experience riding or caring for a horse. I am looking for the right person (s) to help get me going again. This person would need to be near enough to Frederick, MD to work horses frequently even on a week day. This would be a big commitment for a person. I have the cannoneers, guns, the tack and a place to work the teams. I need horses and drivers
I know I am asking a lot but here is the deal:
Having horses with drivers (that I care a lot about) in harness pulling a cannon (with no brakes) requires a lot of skill,practice and just plain work. This is serious business. A big commitment. It is very, very dangerous work even when you are prepared. With good horse people, you can make it safer. Safety is everything to me.
You must be authentic or willing to be. Caution! I have been known to be pretty hard core at times.
If you have The rewards are incredible, just ask some of the boys on these forums.
There a lot of cool things to do with the 150th coming up.
PM or email at light12pdr@earthlink.net and we can talk
Kevin Oyarzo
light12pdr
10-06-2009, 06:31 AM
Another thing I would love to do is horse artillery. That is, all cannoneers are mounted on horseback. You can really cover some ground.
Busterbuttonboy
10-06-2009, 08:58 AM
Best of luck getting everything back up and finding folks. Id image some of the BLA guys up there could be of service. Man the things I wouldnt give up to be part of that crew.
csabugler
10-06-2009, 04:02 PM
Did that mounted once with Kent Ostesteadt (sp). It is an awesome impression!
csabugler
10-06-2009, 04:07 PM
Sorry, duplicate
OldKingCrow
10-06-2009, 04:26 PM
I am done with the hobby... but I take with me to my grave that mounted arty time at Chickamauga NMP w/ Peterson rating as the most amazing experience I ever had. Period.
http://i267.photobucket.com/albums/ii312/floridaconfederate/bang.jpg
http://i267.photobucket.com/albums/ii312/floridaconfederate/ready.jpg
http://i267.photobucket.com/albums/ii312/floridaconfederate/team.jpg
http://i267.photobucket.com/albums/ii312/floridaconfederate/flying.jpg
C. Rideout
Lazarus Driver
10-06-2009, 08:55 PM
Nice photos.
Boy does that make me miss it. I can wait to get back in the saddle.
Bill Thomas
Driver
Lazarus Battery
IowaYank
10-07-2009, 12:02 AM
Patrick, seeing those pictures makes me regret not coming down when you contacted me about the Chickamauga mounted artillery last year!!! I am now very jealous!!
lazarus
10-09-2009, 02:32 AM
It not the riding horses that's scared the crap out of me, it is the riding of the limber chest!! Just look at those boys on the chest, they are seeing more than an elephant, they're seeing the truth of the horse's flanks. Doing mounted service is the best experience of my reenacting/living history career!!!
csabugler
10-09-2009, 08:19 AM
Hey Chris, thanks for posting those pics. I didn't know it was recorded. That was an awesome day. There's a hill at the park where Loomis' battery ( I think it was ) lost 5 guns and slaughtered their own horses to keep the guns that were about to be captured from being moved.
We cantered up that hill, unlimbered the gun, and fired 2 rounds, limbered back up and cantered away. At the very spot that the guns were, to our best reckoning. Boys, I'm getting goose bumps typing the story. It was the high point of an incredible opportunity.
Dan, I hope we get a chance to do that again.
And as far as riding the limber goes, I'll take goofy-assed Woodrow over a limber everytime. It was at Chicky 8-10 years ago that we watched Kent drive a gun across a dry creek bed, and as they came out of the bank on the far side, the gunners came off the back of the limber. One fella had his legs run over by the gun!!!
He was ok, bruised up a lot as I recall. But THAT was the most incredible moment I ever had in this hobby.
OldKingCrow
10-09-2009, 08:43 AM
Original Parrott Rifle #23 (rebored early 2.9" with intact inline bore sighting) was actually one of Loomis 8th Mich rifles. Captured by CS on 19th and recaptured by the Federals on the next day.
http://i267.photobucket.com/albums/ii312/floridaconfederate/origparrott.jpg
OldKingCrow
10-09-2009, 08:45 AM
Working forge under team:
http://i267.photobucket.com/albums/ii312/floridaconfederate/mountedforge.jpg
OldKingCrow
10-09-2009, 08:48 AM
Fully stocked battery wagon under team (that ole boy had some tools). I felt real good being able to share that moment.... me a fat ass redneck with those two old Yanks. Good guys right there. I have dumped most of my kit but saved a suit of blue and gray for oppty like this maybe again sometime.
http://i267.photobucket.com/albums/ii312/floridaconfederate/batterywagon.jpg
RJSamp
10-09-2009, 02:30 PM
AWESOME stuff! The more horse pulled artillery the better!
csabugler
10-09-2009, 03:29 PM
SC Jay was there that weekend with the arty, had his "B-flat" bugle. I actually got a few notes out of it.
Lazarus Driver
10-25-2009, 09:39 PM
Patrick was it you that had an new halter part made on the forge.
Bill Thomas
Lead Driver
Lazarus Battery
MD_Independent
10-25-2009, 10:41 PM
Well, I'm signed on for this project. Been awhile since I've played with horses, but Frederick's only two hours away. Heath country.
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