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Hello fellas!
WOW! Some really neat photos have surfaced (at least to me) that I would like to share with all of you. Through the kindness of Mark Susnis I am posting the following photos but first allow me to credit Mike Medhurst for them too as I believe he is the owner of at least two of the images.
The first, was for sale at Heritage Auctions who provided the following description......
1. Rare Carte-De-Visite View Of A Small Group Of Mounted Louisiana Troops In The Center of A Town Identified As "Head Quarters Huntsville, Ala." Troops certainly appear to be Confederate exhibiting a variety of uniforms and carrying a variety of weapons including one soldier with a rifled musket on a sling carried muzzle down. Corners slightly clipped, else pristine quality and condition. An important and probably unique view. No backmark but period script ID below image and later pencil ID on verso.
COMMENTS: I do NOT believe this is Confederate. While the uniforms are a bit “un-uniform” as is the horse equipment, this plus the prevalence of kepis, sack coats and my "gut" strongly suggest Federal “western” cavalry to me.
This is wonderful photo showing mounted troopers caring 3 band rifles “slung” over their shoulders with carbine slings. Obviously a rare image this is the first really good evidence of this type of weapon carriage that I have seen. I also note the “deserters” with their hands tied to the saddles and the “Texas” or “Spanish” style saddle of the second from left trooper. All cool huh?
2. Wagon Scene: This one appears to be a Quartermaster or perhaps ordnance wagon. COMMENTS: Not much unique here but it is a good example of a typical wagon with mules and teamster riding the left wheel horse (mule).
3. This photo is of a company of New York Cavalry although I am not sure which regiment. COMMENTS: I believe these to be eastern theater cavalry, what is unique to me is the use of blanket roles. I also note the variety of hats and the candid dress among the civilians. Good photo.
4. Here is a photo of a Charles Noe, officer of the USCT troops. His martial bearing and confident look is inspiring.
5. Last but certainly not least is a photo of what I believe to be Federal officers (no way to know if they are infantry or cavalry).
COMMENTS: what is very unique is the saddle blanket and bridle of the foremost soldier. These are very similar to cloth covered pressed felt pads that I remember riding as a youth and that are still available today. I have known that these type saddle pads were farily common to the period but have not seen much in the way of photos of them. Now, imagine a reeanctor employing one? Can you hear the uproar? Yet, its quite authentic.
The bit is a very common double rein bit (could be a port or snaffle) with bit/bridoon type double bridle. The buckles are brass or brass sheathed horse shoe shaped. Remember officer’s equipments were private purchase.
Really nice images!!
Wadyathink? Comments?
I will be posting these to my web site along with some other news ones I have filed recently.
Ken R Knopp
WOW! Some really neat photos have surfaced (at least to me) that I would like to share with all of you. Through the kindness of Mark Susnis I am posting the following photos but first allow me to credit Mike Medhurst for them too as I believe he is the owner of at least two of the images.
The first, was for sale at Heritage Auctions who provided the following description......
1. Rare Carte-De-Visite View Of A Small Group Of Mounted Louisiana Troops In The Center of A Town Identified As "Head Quarters Huntsville, Ala." Troops certainly appear to be Confederate exhibiting a variety of uniforms and carrying a variety of weapons including one soldier with a rifled musket on a sling carried muzzle down. Corners slightly clipped, else pristine quality and condition. An important and probably unique view. No backmark but period script ID below image and later pencil ID on verso.
COMMENTS: I do NOT believe this is Confederate. While the uniforms are a bit “un-uniform” as is the horse equipment, this plus the prevalence of kepis, sack coats and my "gut" strongly suggest Federal “western” cavalry to me.
This is wonderful photo showing mounted troopers caring 3 band rifles “slung” over their shoulders with carbine slings. Obviously a rare image this is the first really good evidence of this type of weapon carriage that I have seen. I also note the “deserters” with their hands tied to the saddles and the “Texas” or “Spanish” style saddle of the second from left trooper. All cool huh?
2. Wagon Scene: This one appears to be a Quartermaster or perhaps ordnance wagon. COMMENTS: Not much unique here but it is a good example of a typical wagon with mules and teamster riding the left wheel horse (mule).
3. This photo is of a company of New York Cavalry although I am not sure which regiment. COMMENTS: I believe these to be eastern theater cavalry, what is unique to me is the use of blanket roles. I also note the variety of hats and the candid dress among the civilians. Good photo.
4. Here is a photo of a Charles Noe, officer of the USCT troops. His martial bearing and confident look is inspiring.
5. Last but certainly not least is a photo of what I believe to be Federal officers (no way to know if they are infantry or cavalry).
COMMENTS: what is very unique is the saddle blanket and bridle of the foremost soldier. These are very similar to cloth covered pressed felt pads that I remember riding as a youth and that are still available today. I have known that these type saddle pads were farily common to the period but have not seen much in the way of photos of them. Now, imagine a reeanctor employing one? Can you hear the uproar? Yet, its quite authentic.
The bit is a very common double rein bit (could be a port or snaffle) with bit/bridoon type double bridle. The buckles are brass or brass sheathed horse shoe shaped. Remember officer’s equipments were private purchase.
Really nice images!!
Wadyathink? Comments?
I will be posting these to my web site along with some other news ones I have filed recently.
Ken R Knopp
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