Big Boy Cavalryman - 1st AL (US)

[CJSchumacher]

Now some justification for all of those big boys on horseback out there!! Honestly though, its a nice picture showing a bit of "flair" for a young cav officer.

Source: http://1stalabamacavalryusv.com/roster/troopers.asp?trooperid=595

Alonson W Edwards
Age: 22
Rank at enlistment: 1st Lieutenant
Rank at discharge: Captain
Company Assignment: L
Company Reassignment: F/S
9/18/1863 Enlisted Glendale, MS
3/2/1864 Promoted To Adjutant
7/14/1864 Promoted To Captain.
6/1/1865 Mustered Out Huntsville, AL
Notes: Promoted to 1st Lieutentant, Co. I, 122 Regiment Illinois infantry Volunteers on 18 October 1863.

http://1stalabamacavalryusv.com/roster/pictures/edwards.jpg

[JimKindred]

Looks like he was in charge of guarding the mess tent. :wink_smil

[KyCavMajor]

Looks like he was in charge of guarding the mess tent. :wink_smil

Does anyone know where his horse went....... :thinking: :dinner_pl

I can say that, being a little "large" myself

[GeraldTodd]

At http://1stalabamacavalryusv.com/ros...p?trooperid=595
it says "picture" to the right of the image and his name. Click that - there's a second image taken without the hat.

An Alabama boy fighting for the Union, in the cavalry, in that shape! Who'da thunk it!

[CJSchumacher]

At http://1stalabamacavalryusv.com/ros...p?trooperid=595
it says "picture" to the right of the image and his name. Click that - there's a second image taken without the hat.

An Alabama boy fighting for the Union, in the cavalry, in that shape! Who'da thunk it!

I'll go one further...he transferred from the INFANTRY!!

Maybe they grabbed a nice draft for him to ride, even better...probably a big ol' mule to carry him around! I can only imagine him taking a 5-foot fence...downhill... :eek:

Later Edited: Mods, if needed feel free to move as while a humorous post of anecdotal possiblities...its not doing much to further authentic cavalry. cjs

[AZReenactor]

I figure I might as well share this Texan of girth with the list. He was a member of the 8th Texas Cavalry. Anyone able to identify the pistolat a glancehttp://www.terrystexasrangers.org/pictures/portraits/ttr_portrait/culpepper_jtj.jpg

For more information about this individual see
http://www.terrystexasrangers.org/biographical_notes/c/culpepper_jtj.html

[10nycav]

The 10th NY Cavalry had a German-born officer, Captain John Ordner, whose recorded weight was 250 pounds. Although large, apparently he was an excellent horseman and swordsman. I am guessing that he supplied his own horse and it was "up to weight." By the way the best weight carriers of all are not tall horses but rather cobs of 14.2 to 15.2 hands height. They are built like the proverbial brick outhouse. Old style Morgans and Canadians were essentially cobs. Add a dash of TB and their size increases while retaining the substance needed to carry a large rider.

The Tenth had an equally large (if not larger) enlisted man, however he was quickly assigned as a wagoner. Most likely, they could not find a suitable horse for him among the government issued mounts.

Ken Morris

[hireddutchcutthroat]

I figure I might as well share this Texan of girth with the list. He was a member of the 8th Texas Cavalry. Anyone able to identify the pistolat a glancehttp://www.terrystexasrangers.org/pictures/portraits/ttr_portrait/culpepper_jtj.jpg

For more information about this individual see
http://www.terrystexasrangers.org/biographical_notes/c/culpepper_jtj.html


Comparing the length of his pistol, to the width of this fellows chest, adding the fact that he is wearing an overcoat, I wouldnt say this man was very big at all.

[KyCavMajor]

Said General John S (Cerro Gordo, sp?)Williams was a 300 pounder. He commanded a brigade Wheeler...

[K Bartsch]

I figure I might as well share this Texan of girth with the list. He was a member of the 8th Texas Cavalry. Anyone able to identify the pistolat a glancehttp://www.terrystexasrangers.org/pictures/portraits/ttr_portrait/culpepper_jtj.jpg

For more information about this individual see
http://www.terrystexasrangers.org/biographical_notes/c/culpepper_jtj.html

To me, he doesn't look obese like the Alabama trooper. IMHO, this Texan is just bundled up in a lot of clothing.

Cordially,

[GeraldTodd]

That's definately a rough-n-ready Texican, the other one's Pugsley.

I'd love to see an image of the fellow just after the war and see if a 2nd Lt's fare and the 1st Alabama's hard riding did anything for his girlish figure.

[AZReenactor]

Yoou're quite right. I suppose I was just overly anxious to share the photo of Cullpepper. He isn't really overweight. The layers of clothes undoubtedly contribute to his larger appearance.

I reckon Terry's Rangers always seem some somehow larger than life in my mind and I probably added a bit to his size as I thought about his photo.

That's definately a rough-n-ready Texican, the other one's Pugsley.

I'd love to see an image of the fellow just after the war and see if a 2nd Lt's fare and the 1st Alabama's hard riding did anything for his girlish figure.

[hireddutchcutthroat]

Yoou're quite right. I suppose I was just overly anxious to share the photo of Cullpepper. He isn't really overweight. The layers of clothes undoubtedly contribute to his larger appearance.

I reckon Terry's Rangers always seem some somehow larger than life in my mind and I probably added a bit to his size as I thought about his photo.

And thankful we are that you posted that picture :wink_smil

[Mike Ventura]

If memory serves me correctly, the 1st Alabama (US) served as Sherman's escort. They were mostly recruited from the strong Unionist area in NE Alabama.

[JimKindred]

Mike,

Which Wheeler is it that you are referring to?

The 1st ALA (US) was Sherman's headquarters escort during a part of the March to the Sea.

[Mike Ventura]

Duh!

Jim. thank's for catching my typo. I meant Sherman, and corrected the post. I've been pulling some Wheeler info and it's on my desk in front of me. I guess after typing "Wheeler" several times today, I just thought I'd type it again, although my brain was saying "Sherman."

Thanks,

[marlin teat]

If memory serves me correctly, the 1st Alabama (US) served as Sherman's escort. They were mostly recruited from the strong Unionist area in NE Alabama.

At the time of the Altoona Pass campaign the 1st Ala. (aka: Spencer's Alabama Tories) were assigned to General Corse at Rome, Ga. where they signed up over 100 recruits. Most were from northeast Alabama but more than a few were from northwest Georgia.

The 1st Ala., along with a mounted regiment of Illinois infantry, was assigned to "feel the country south of Rome about Cedartown and Villa Rica" (O.R.) and was the first to report Hood's northwest movement that began the Franklin campaign. They were involved in numerous operations against partisans in the area before leaving with Sherman.

They were also accused of numerous "atrocities" against the civilian population and there are many local post-war newspaper articles and reminiscences casting them in a negative light.

[Alabama Yankee]

A detachment of about 21 men from Company I, 1st Alabama Cavalry were detached from their group and sent out as Sherman's personal escort. They were commanded by a Lt. David Snelling.

David had a great story to tell. He was raised on his uncle's plantation in Georgia. Was kicked out of the family after he refused to join a Georgia Regiment that his cousin was in charge of. He later enlisted in another Georgia unit to only get closer to Union lines where he could desert and join the Union army. He was with the surrendering party at the end of the Forrest-Streight Raid and paroled out of Libby Prison on a prisoner exchange. Then, to beat all out, he leads Sherman's personal escort.

Thanks for taking time to look at the photo. It was probably taken in Corinth, MS in 1863 sometime during May-August. If memory serves, it was in a collection of photograph that was kept by Col. Spencer. I swear, we didn't PhotoShop it to add some girth. :-)

By comparison, they didn't see as much action as they probably could have. Perhaps, some Union generals doubted their loyalties. Perhaps they were best suited for other duties. But they endured much because of their beliefs when war broke out, suffered greatly for their beliefs as the fighting went on. Their families were persecuted when they left for war. And many returned only to be hunted men.

It is a piece of history that many don't know a thing about.

Thanks for giving me the opportunity to tell you a little about it.

-Ryan Dupree
webmaster
www.1stalabamacavalryusv.com

[fahtz]

I think the pistol the Texan has could be a 1858 Starr (With the flange off the back strap).