Guidelines/Suggestions for States Rights Cavalry for the Battle of McDowell

Gentlemen,

I have put together a few guidelines for the CS Cavalry for the upcoming McDowell event. We will take part in all of the scenarios for the event and do various duties. Our impression will be an early ANV Cavalry impression for the spring of 1862. There are only a few "prohibited" items of which to take note. The other items are suggestions for accurately portraying the average cavalry trooper in spring of 1862. In the spring of 1862, the commutation system would still be in effect. There would still be civilian attire in the ranks as well as battle shirts. We would see civilian horse equipment and equipment in the ranks. There would be some CS issued items, but a variety would be found in the early troopers' kit.

Because we anticipate moving quite a bit in several situations and probably in warm weather, all horses should be in good shape and prepared for this kind of duty. We will be riding in and around the town of McDowell and in close contact with civilians. We will also have a chance to ride to the top of the mountain to the original battlefield. This might not be the event for a new horse because of the variety of duties we will be asked to perform. The horse and rider need to be prepared to act individually on outpost and information.

Because of the need for outpost/advance guard and other such duties, I would suggest reviewing the different cavalry manuals for how to perform each duty.

Items Strictly Prohibited

• Modern Shoes
• Modern Eyewear
• Bandannas
• Women in the Ranks
• Paint Horses
• Multiple Pistols
• Modern Cowboy Hats
• Modern Materials both in uniform/accouterments and horse equipment

For uniforms and basic requirements, see the guidelines for States Right infantry. The uniforms should be similar for cavalry.

A note about footwear. Because this is still an early event, boots would be an appropriate item for the average trooper. As part of a trooper’s civilian attire, boots would be more prevalent at this time then later in the war when more shoes were being issued. The most common boot was the two piece Wellington style boot. This should be the boot found mostly in the ranks.

Accoutrements

• Saber Belt: Federal early war issue with pre-1863 characteristics. Rough out leather, no rivets, and three piece silver wreath on buckle or State Militia belts. Would prefer very few CS issued belts. No rivets on early Federal or State Militia belts.
• Holster: Federal or civilian pattern.
• Cap Pouch: Federal or limited CS issue. Should be an early version. If Federal, should be without rivets.
• Cartridge Box: Federal or pre war/militia pattern. Should be an early version. Also, consider carrying rounds in pockets, haversacks, poke sacks, or other methods then a cartridge box.
• Carbine Sling: Federal or civilian. All carbines need to be properly carried. Muzzleloaders should be carried across the back. No carbines should be in boots or "strapped" to saddles.

Weapons

• Carbines: These are in no particular order, but again each trooper needs a longarm. No CS issued longarms. British imports would also be rare at this point. Other prewar longarms are acceptable. If you do not have one of these guns or have an alternative, contact me to discuss the use, or, this could also be an event to come to with a pistol and saber.
  • 1859 Sharps
  • Mississippi
  • Shotgun
• Saber: US 1840, 1833 Dragoon. British or French Cavalry Saber are ok, but again a little early to see many of these in the ranks. Try to avoid carrying the US 1860 saber.
• Pistols: Only one per trooper.
  • Colt Dragoon
  • 1860 Colt Army
  • 1851 Colt Navy

Tack

• Saddle: Jennifer, or civilian saddle, ’59 McClellan. We are looking for a variety of saddles. Jennifer saddles were just starting to be issued. This would have been the issue saddle for CS troopers outfitted or re-outfitted at this time. Would like to see some Jennifers in the ranks, but would prefer to see as much civilian equipment as possible. Understanding that most reenactors have McClellans, they will be ok. Again, looking for a variety. Civilian saddles would still be used.
• Saddle Blanket: Federal, CS, plain civilian wool. No modern blankets or pads.
• Bridle: Federal, CS variety, civilian
• Halter: CS variety, Federal. Should see more CS halters then Federal. This is probably the most used and therefore most replaced piece of tack. Reports show more issues of halters than any other piece of tack. Civilian is ok as long as correct material and hardware are used.
• Breaststrap: Civilian models, provided they are of correct construction and material. No brass heart breaststraps.
• Saddlebags or Valise: US issue or CS valise. If riding a Jennifer, a CS valise would be preferred. Valises were issued in large numbers. Valise could be leather or painted canvas.

The goal of these regulations is to give a general guideline for a cavalry impression. If your unit is interested in attending this event and has any questions regarding the regulations, please feel free to contact me to discuss the concern. If your unit has unit specific research that shows the unit carrying or being issued a certain uniform, equipment, arms, or accoutrements not listed on the acceptable guidelines and you would like to carry them at the event, please let me know. Again, we are not looking for troopers to remake their impression into a certain unit, but giving the general impression for a trooper.

Rob Bruno
1^st Maryland Cavalry