Union Cavalry man

[David Jarnagin]

I have been looking through the pictures on Library of Congress site and have a new one to post. His equipment is a bit odd.

David Jarnagin
djarnagin@bellsouth.net

[Mark Choate]

Re: Union Cavalry man

David,

I know this is stated as "unidentified" but was there anything that might have indicated if he was in the Western or Eastern Theatre? I want to guess Western, but can't defend that.

Tom Craig, do you see anything distinguishing about him?

thx,
Mark

[Mississippian]

Re: Union Cavalry man

Aside from the cartridge box he looks pretty normal to me, Photographer's prop?

Will MacDonald

[David Jarnagin]

Re: Union Cavalry man

If the box is a prop he went through a lot of trouble getting it under the shoulder scales. In the full picture the round eagle plate is very clear. I can post it since the full image is 118 mb.

The sword belt is upside down but that is common since they wanted it to be on the left like it should be and this caused many of the plates to be upside down. The plate is one of the early 3 piece wreath models with a bridle belt which should place manufacture later in 1862, but there were state ones made pre-war that were bridle leather as well.

Just one of several pictures I found that is odd.

David Jarnagin
djarnagin@bellsouth.net

[GrumpyDave]

Re: Union Cavalry man

What are the chances, the trim on that jacket is orange and not yellow when the image was struck?

[David Fox]

Re: Union Cavalry man

Many Federal cavalry units, especially those in the Western and Transmississippi Theatres were equipped with infantry shoulder arms, were they not? Can't recall ever reading how these boys were accoutered, but this might be one answer.

[CompanyWag]

Re: Union Cavalry man

If the box is a prop he went through a lot of trouble getting it under the shoulder scales. In the full picture the round eagle plate is very clear. djarnagin@bellsouth.net

He also went through a lot of trouble taking off the sling and reversing it so the breast plate would appear to the front and the cartridge box appear on the correct hip. (The eagle is doing the backstroke) Doesn't the box also appear abnormally low? Strangely, the angle of the sling doesn't seem to lead to where the box rests.

[BarryDusel]

Re: Union Cavalry man

9th Pennsylvania Cav was issued "Old" Belgian muskets.. They fought in the west.

[Mark Choate]

Re: Union Cavalry man

Moving this to Civil War Images due to content.

thx,
Mark