General Grant's cavalry escort at City Point, Virginia. March, 1865

[DaveGink]

I was wondering if anyone could tell me which unit was assigned escort duty to Grant? I've seen both 5th US cav and 2nd US cav listed in the past. I believe it is the 5th but was hoping for some concrete info. LOC on only says it's "General Grant's cavalry escort at City Point, Virginia. March, 1865".

Also, while I understand that there were no real "dress" uniform standards at the time, It appears that they are in what could be considered "dress" uniforms (No long arms/sidearms/carbine slings/exposed boots - But all with sabers and saber belts/hat brass/white gloves - some with collars and ties). I also find it interesting they are all are wearing sack coats (and that no cav jackets are shown)and mostly kepis with a few forage caps tossed in. As our group portrays regular army US cavalry, and occasionally performs at local functions in what could be considered dress (with no real time period dictated) such as Veteran events. I wonder if this photo would be a good example to use (understanding it's but one late war photo).

I've also attached another image showing the 3rd Pennsylvania Cavalry, CoD at Brandy Station, March 1864- showing similar "guidlines" (except with a cross of jackets and sacks, no ties, and a few exposed boots).

In both photos you do see some cap pouches being worn (although not as many in Grant's escort).

The problem I'm having is finding a variety of images of Fed US Cav troops in dress/parade (or even in the field). If any one has some sources please let me know - I'd appreciate it.

Cheers,
Dave

[1st Maine Trooper]

It appears as there were multiple units that served as his escort at different times during the campaigns of `64 and `65. I have references to 2nd and 5th US as well as other. Its interesting that you chose to include a photo of part of the 3rd PA as they too served as Grant's ascort during portions of the Overland Campaign.

In both photos that you provided, while most are obscured I can make out several holstered revolvers. Granted there are no longarms but would not assume that they didnt have them or use them. I think for the purposes of the photos, they simply left them off.

I also doubt that this was the entire escort. Why have 5 buglers for 25 troopers. It seems more likely this is the officer and senior NCO contingent for the escort.

Keep in mind that the MSJ was considered the general service jacket and the blouse was only intended to be worn for fatigue duty. There was a great deal of latitude in this especially among troops in the field as the photographic evidence shows, however the MSJ never goes away.

Dave Myrick

[DaveGink]

Hi Dave,

Sorry if I sounded like I was suggesting that the units didn't carry sidearms or long arms (I was strictly speaking in these particular photos, and was wondering if saber-only was possible considered "dress" uniform by these two groups. Although I did find a nice high rez of that 3rd Pennsy and yes there is at least one sidearm/holster being carried that I can definitively make out and possibly two others that I am reasonably sure of. Of course you are right that there may be more (in both photos) that may be hidden from view -- although I just can not make out in in Grant's Escort (with the possible exception of the far left man of the main group, but that could also be his cap pouch pushed back). Edit: After writing this it does appear that the far right trooper in the front row in 'Grants escort' may be wearing a holstered revolver.

And yeah, I do really find the presence of only sack coats very interesting in the 'Grant's escort' photo. I wasn't suggesting the MSJ had been replaced, but that perhaps someone gave the order that the Sack be used in this case for "dress" (pure speculation on my part).

[RJSamp]

I also doubt that this was the entire escort. Why have 5 buglers for 25 troopers. It seems more likely this is the officer and senior NCO contingent for the escort.

Dave Myrick

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1. My notes have this picture as the 5th NY Cavalry (the one with the buglers). So I will now correct my notes....5th US Cavalry, 3 company's.

2. The bugler on the far left is the chief bugler.

3. the other 4 are lined up by height from right to left.....including the two small young buglers with their impish grins.

4. those are Infantry bugles, copper, in the key of C. Tough to play off of a horse, but their shrill sound can be heard at great distance. Many Cavalry Buglers/Trumpeters were issued infantry bugles, this is picture proof of that statement.

5. Why 5 buglers? I though that the ranks of this Guard Mount parade kept going off of the picture.....always assumed it was a Squadron of Cavalry. Two buglers per company, 4 buglers, plus the Chief Bugler. Or is it all of the NCO's/Officer's and buglers from the 3 5th US Cavalry company's that formed Grant's escort??? Either way, the bugler on the end is the senior of the 5 buglers.....he's 'in charge' of the bugle corps.

Anyway, a neat picture.

[10TnVI]

In the first picture I note that at least three of the front rank appear to be wearing sashes but no other rank insignia. The extreme left man, the third and sixth from the left. So at least 3 officers or senior NCO's in one group. I venture the position of the leftmost man, at an angle to the others, suggest he is an officer

[Curt Schmidt]

Hallo!

Just for the visual of the image as the time (likely 1862), place, and circumstance are not known..

Here is my great-great grandfather Anderw Miller of Company "M," Col. Marcus Reno's 12th Pennsylvania Cavalry.


He was promoted to corporal, but later resigned saying he did not want to be responsible for other men's lives.
He was held as a "traitor to the regiment" for voting for George McClellan in the Election of 1864
Wounded in March of 1865, he died of his wounds in May, leaving a wife and four year old daughter.
His grave in the city cemetery was bulldozed over and made into a grass park over the now unmarked graves.

Curt