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Post by tubman13 on Jan 19, 2014 21:13:29 GMT -6
I think I owe the US Military an apology, I may have been a little rough on them from the 1876 era, with lack of training, launching a campagne will not enough horses to mount their troopers on, and so on and so on, but I take it all back because the way our Government treats our soldiers out there in Afghanistan is disgraceful, I know a few chaps who work for the “help for heroes’’ charity over in Widnes, they said that the amount of stuff that the soldiers families have to send out to their loved ones is ridiculous, basic stuff like soap, toothpaste and shampoo as well as food have to be sent over. There was a also a program on TV last week that mentioned about the British units in Helmand Provence having to lend stuff off the American Army, the US Guys call them the borrowers, so I will never take the US Cavalry to task again, because we are just as bad, well you could say that Cameron and his Secretary of state for defence are responsible. Ian, you no apology to the U.S, Military. Our Govt., made our military what it was, and our press, back in the day looked down on those who served. I can find the press quotes if you want. But here are the raw numbers. The authorized strength of the Regular Army in 1866, as established by congress was 54,000 men, but congress would see fit to actually decrease the end strength of the army to 37,000 in 1870 and to reduce the overall strength again in 1874 to 25,000. Numbers were so decreased that there were only 11 general officers( hell, there were 19 Brigadiers at the close of the CW). Full Col. was hardly in existence.
On to the make up of a cavalry regiment, it, on paper was to have 888 troopers( including 43 officers), with each of the 12 line companies to have 3 officers and 70 enlisted men. I know this does not add up, command an medical makes up difference. To make up the fours you are looking for they are not all privates, newly made corporals exist as well. Desertion skewed numbers greatly. Rarely was there ever a company at full strength during this time. I would worry much more about the lack of training and lack of ammunition used for that training, poor horsemanship and the lack of time spent on that. Most could care less about 4's they wanted to be sure of blacksmiths though. I am sure this post is off base regarding what you were asking about, but the second NFL game is making me nuts, and I was reading the above.
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Post by fred on Jan 19, 2014 21:19:55 GMT -6
Authorized strength, TO&E, 1876 cavalry regiment:
1 COL 1 LTC 3 MAJ 12 CPT 1 ADJ (LT) 1 QM (LT) 12 1LT 12 2LT 1 SGM 1 QMS 1 SAD SGT 1 CTMP 1 CMUS 12 1SG 60 SGT 48 CPL 24 TMP 24 FAR/BSM 12 SAD 12 WAG 648 PVT
Total officers and enlisted personnel: 888
Best wishes, Fred.
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Post by keithpatton on Jan 16, 2021 15:09:11 GMT -6
I recently read a claim that in 1876 Trumpeters were not issued carbines. It sounds suspect to me. Sure the Trumpeter might be with the commander and not on the firing line but in a pinch it might be nice to have the extra carbine and attending ammunition. From the trumpeter's perspective, what was he going to use to defend himself, harsh language or play bad notes on his horn?
Anyone have any supporting citations on this? I haven't been able to find any.
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Post by noggy on Jan 17, 2021 4:46:10 GMT -6
I recently read a claim that in 1876 Trumpeters were not issued carbines. It sounds suspect to me. Sure the Trumpeter might be with the commander and not on the firing line but in a pinch it might be nice to have the extra carbine and attending ammunition. From the trumpeter's perspective, what was he going to use to defend himself, harsh language or play bad notes on his horn? Anyone have any supporting citations on this? I haven't been able to find any. Hm, never read about this but would not a trumpeter be considered part of the HQ? If so I can imagine it would make sense to only carry a Colt/sidearm at least if they were infantry, but when riding it seems a little strange maybe to not just have a carbine strapped to the horse. I know I`ve seen a pretty detailed book about US cavalry in the 1800s, if I can find it I`ll look through (it was online, so no idea if its around anymore but maybe others here have stufff like it?) Ed.note: truewestmagazine.com/found-trumpeter-martins-carbine/ This might indicate trumpeters at least were issued carines, perhaps? Noggy
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