"BOOT AND SADDLE"

[Larry Koschkee]

The memoirs of R. H. Magoon give some insight into the discipline and activity of a 1832 mounted militia volunteer. Magoon was first elected Captain of a militia infantry at Funk's Fort in Monticello Township. Later he resigned that position to join a mounted corps, because he believed it to be "more effective in waging war with a fleet-footed foe." He fell in with Captain Clark's mounted militia from White Oak Springs as a Second Lieuteant.

On a march with Col. Dodge to bury St. Vrain and others that fell at the Plum River, Old Dodge was schooling the volunteers on discipline.

"The first halt was made at Fetter's, a point nine miles from Gratiot. Before alighting, Col. Dodge strongly impressed on the rugged yeomen the necessity that existed for unanimity of action, and urged them to study discipline. The troop was then formed into a hollow square, and, on receiving orders to "Dismount," each man removed his saddle and laid it on the ground where he, dismounted, and turned his horse out to graze, The orders were, that if an alarm was sounded during the night, each man should spring up in his place, and thus be formed in hollow square to repel an attack."

Later Magoon talks about saddles... "About June 20, word was received by Capt. Clark that the fort at Blue Mounds was besieged. To "boot and saddle" was quickly sounded, an all available mounted men were marched to the threatened locality."

What type or design of boot and saddle did the militia employ circa 1830s? There are several good sources on boots and saddles utilized by the Regular Troops. My favorite is The Horse Soldier 1776 - 1943, Volume I, The Revolution, the War of 1812, the Early Frontier, 1776 -1850. 1977. Author Randy Steffen. Another good one on just military saddles is by the same author United States Military Saddles, 1812 - 1943, 1973.

But what about the militia? There are some accounts that some Illinois volunteers were issued "bridle and saddle." Were they U.S. Government standard equipment?

Is it safe to presume the volunteers under the command of Col. Henry Dodge utilized civilian saddles and tack? If so what type of saddles?

I would like others to weigh in on these questions, but will offer my opinions.

The immediate background of many members of Dodge's command originated in Kentucky, Missouri and Indiana... somewhat of "Southern Gentry."... comprised of the the more prominent citizens in the mining community. Their saddlerly most likely would have been considered of the "Plantation" style and workmanship. This saddle was derived from the "English" style of the colonial era, which was characterized by its flat seat and little or no cantle or pommel height. Probably is what Paul Revere was using in his famous ride. In contrast the "Plantation" saddle had a pronounced pommell and cantle for better security of the rider.

The "Plantation" was made popular along the Atlantic seaboard where gaited horses were bred. When western expansion began this saddle remained popular until the 1830s although a new style challanged its status. That was the "Hope" saddle. It was first produced by a young St. Louis saddlemaker in 1822 named Thornton Grimsley. He took some features from "Spanish" saddles and incorporated them in his design. The most significant feature was the buyer could order a saddle with a horn which proved popular with trappers and fur traders traveling west from St. Louis, and a larger saddle fork was built to raise the saddle off the back or spine of the horse.

In addition, the "Hope" saddle developed a reputation for durability which was achieved by sewing wet rawhide onto the saddle tree. When dried, it formed a hard shell that protected and strengthend the tree.

So it is possible the militia had some of these "Hope" saddles. But I would say the "Plantation" saddle was the predominant one, judging by the fact they were more readily available on the frontier and the number of accounts citing horses were breaking down and not fit for march. English and or "Plantation" saddles proved inadequate in sustained military marches. On a long campaign the flat seat could sore a horse's back as it lost weight.

There are many examples of footwear the Regular Troops wore... my favorite is the Hugo Ballin painting of Red Bird's surrender in 1827. Major William Whistler standing there with his up to the knee riding boots on.

What type of footwear would a typical "mounted" militia man utilize? That question conjure's up the image of Dodge that is so popular... him standing tall with his hunting shirt on, rifle in hand and sword at his side, but what type of footwear is he wearing?


Larry Koschkee

[Robert Braun]

Great post! By way of answering your questions:

Boots
The 'short' answer regarding the footwear of the typical 'mounted' militia volunteer is that he wore the footwear of his civilian-world trade, profession, or craft. The historical record for the Mineral District suggests three main types of footwear: boots, shoes, and moccasins.

While ready-made footwear was slowly becoming available in American culture by the mid 1820s, cordwaining was still a predominantly cottage industry. While a customer could have one's footwear pretty much made to order, the general practice was to produce shoes or boots in "straight last"-- meaning without a definate "right" or "left."

For the lead digger, farmer, or day laborer, boots certainly appears to be the footwear of choice. Hence, when these men volunteered for their thirty days of militia service, they doubtless wore their work footwear, along with their working clothes, into the service. I believe Dodge is wearing boots in the oft-seen 1834 Catlin sketch...



Shoes were also worn when mounted. During a May 31, 1832 horse ride to Kaskaskia, John A. Wakefield crossed numerous creeks and streams. He wrote: “The weather being very cold for that time of year, I called on a house to empty the water from my shoes and to wring my socks.”

Saddles
Here the record is less detailed. Records exist for the issuance of saddles and bridles for the Illinois Militia; as do records for the receipt and issuance of saddles, circingles, girths, grass lines, bridles and blankets that were certainly earmarked for saddle blankets from the U. S. Quartermaster at Fort Jackson.

On May 30, Atkinson also ordered a quantity of of pack saddles and cording for use as halters.

I agree that the militia saddles most likely fell into three main catagories: a "plantation" or English-style saddle (the most common style); Army dragoon saddles left over from 'Mr. Madison's War'; and some of the newer A-fork Spanish-influence saddles appearing in St. Louis.

[Larry Koschkee]

Would you consider Dodge's attire in the portrait an anomaly? Is it something a militia man would wear once he drew 5-10 days provisions, saddled up and commenced on a campagn?

Safety should have been paramount when choosing footwear for moving through the frontier countryside on horseback. High leather boots with at least 12"-14" pipes and a heel height sufficient to check the forward movement of the boot in the stirrup would be prudent.

The high profile boot would also provide some protection from the thickets and brush. Most of the prairie plants were of considerable height - June through December (or until snow flattened it). The prairie, savanna and oak openings of Illinois and Wisconsin were not short grass prairie. There are accounts noted where a man on horseback was soaked clear up to the waist traversing a dew or rain soaked prairie.

A high piped boot would also offer some protection from a rattlesnake strike. Historical accounts indicate the snake was plentiful in the lead region.

A moccasin would be comfortable, I admit, however very dangerous in a saddle with stirrups. Many a person has been dragged to their deaths after the foot slipped through the stirrup. This accident could have been avoided by utilizing a hood or "tapadero" on the stirrup to prevent the foot from moving forward. Apparently this adaptation was not common until later, such as use on the southwest and northwest U.S. frontiers. The U.S. military adopted the "tapadero" eventually.

A shoe with some heel height would have worked but does not afford much protection from horse sweat and abrasions from stirrup or protection from thickets, etc.

I would imagine a militia-man would have been well suited with a "utility" boot such was the favorite with the "Forty-niners" --- ride or work it served both well."12 - 16" pipes, a good heel and "mule ear" boot straps.

The Black Hawk War was not a nice Sunday ride in the park...

Larry Koschkee

[Robert Braun]

Larry said:

Would you consider Dodge's attire in the portrait an anomaly? Is it something a militia man would wear once he drew 5-10 days provisions, saddled up and commenced on a campagn?

Larry... very insightful post. Practical knowledge for those considering the realities of mounted militia service in 1832. Those who revel in the "adventure" of the spirited chase of Black Hawks band sometimes ignore the gritty details that certainly accompanied both pursuer and pursued.

Heat, sweat, the inevitable torment of mosquitoes and biting flies, bad food, worse water... and when it rained or when a fire couldn't be kindled, flour was consumed in raw, sticky, doughy balls, while pork was likewise eaten raw. This PLUS the rider needed to feed water, and care for his mount as best as time and circumstances permit. Given the number of horses that gave out on Dodge's ride to Fort Winnebago, and again during the pursuit of Black Hawk's band on July 21, the combination of a killing pace and indifferent care took its toll on men and horses...particularly horses. Campaigning during the BHW was hot, damp, smelly, gritty dirty, greasy work... punctuated by moments of sheer terror and sheer brutality.

And it's hard to maintain that kind of context as we sit comfortably in our living rooms reading Wakefield, sipping adult beverages while "The Rush for Grey Gold" plays in the background...

Now. to return to Larrys initial questions...

In my opinion Dodge's portrait should indeed be considered in context. Most references place the sketch as having been done in 1834... as Colonel of the U. S. Dragoons. His War of 1812-period sword is shown suspended from a "belt clip and chain" from the waistbelt. The eagle plate may be one of 3 or 4 known variations, however I believe it to be a pattern worn by War of 1812 officers. He wears two contract pistols and holds what looks like a custom half-stock percussion rifle with double-set trigger (I am told that this is a specific make of contract rifle... but the actual name eludes me.) I believe he wears the hunting frock and possibly the trousers described by George Wallace Jones in 1832: "He was in his buckskin, sassafras tanned, hunting shirt, and Kentucky jeans pants, just like my own."

In some ways, the Catlin portrait of Dodge (which gives every indication of being sketched from life, as was Catlin's practice) is indeed unique. In others, the image Dodge presents is remarkably typical of his day. Given:

• The common nature of the hunting frock as a practical garment on the frontier;
  
• The use of boots as common, indeed preferred footwear of the male working class in America;
  
• The provisions of the Militia Act of 1792 which indicated, in part

  Each dragoon to furnish himself with a serviceable horse, at least fourteen hands and an half high, a good saddle, bridle, mail-pillion and valise, holster, and a best plate and crupper, a pair of boots and spurs; a pair of pistols, a sabre, and a cartouch box to contain twelve cartridges for pistols.

  
  
• The hunting frock to be worn by company-grade officers under Illinois' Militia Law of 1821.
  

Generally speaking, Dodge presents in the 1834 sketch as many 1832 militiamen may well have looked... fresh and cleaned up of course!

[Larry Koschkee]

How would you go about tanning a deer skin to produce a George Wallace Jones "hunting shirt" utilizing the sassafras tree? Heretofore I had always assumed when utilizing flora ingredients that you needed a deciduous tree with a high content of tannin, such as the Oak family (Chestnut Oak) or a conifer such as hemlock.

Larry K.

[Robert Braun]

Larry said:

How would you go about tanning a deer skin to produce a George Wallace Jones "hunting shirt" utilizing the sassafras tree? Heretofore I had always assumed when utilizing flora ingredients that you needed a deciduous tree with a high content of tannin, such as the Oak family (Chestnut Oak) or a conifer such as hemlock.

Larry K.

Larry, I agree with you. IMHO the buckskin isn't so much "tanned" as it was colored by the sassafras... probably an extraction of the sassafras from the boiled roots. When immersed in a more concentrated solution of the extract, the hide takes on the sassafras color, a rusty-brown red color similar to that of dried blood.

I am informed (and maybe you can offer correction or further guidance on this) that this color was an unmistakable symbol to native people.

Regards, Bob.

[Larry Koschkee]

In response to your comment about the universal significance or symbolic importance of a "rusty-brown red color" to native people, I would have to defer to others.

On a specific tribe or nation account, such as the Oto and Missouri, the color was painted on a coup stick in the form of a "chevron" to show number of coups in battle. Why not a bright red "chevron"? The "dried blood" color meant the foe's heart was wounded by the humilation of being on the receiving end of a coup stick and the foe would live with the humilating wound the rest of his days on earth.

I have no further alchemy knowledge then this example.

Larry Koschkee

[MustangGray]

Maybe I missed something somewhere but Boots and Saddles(or I would guess slight variations thereof) is a military bugle call and was used as such in the context of the quote that was offered earlier in this thread.

The following discussion was interesting but I would like to offer my opinion on one thing, that being the Spanish and Hope saddle comments made by Mr. Koschkee. The Spanish saddle as Thornton Grimsley mad ethem was popular not so much because of it's horn but because of it's rawhide coveed tree. The importance of the horn was not yet fully appreciated by anglos and it would be some time later before they came to understand it's true uses. The Hope(or Texas) saddle was not yet in common circulation(some argue if it even existed yet) in Texas and would not have been known in the geographic region in which you are discussing. Having said that I'm sure someone will come up with a quote proving me wrong! It wouldn't be until after the Mexican War that the Hope/Texas would start to gain popularity amongst folks outside of Texas.

Anyway I enjoyed the thread but thought I'd throw my two cents worth in. Keep up the good work and we'll see you down the trail!

Dios, libertad y Tejas,
Scott McMahon
Boonville Mess

[Larry Koschkee]

Thanks for your "two cents worth."

MustangGray said: "The Hope (or Texas) saddle was not yet in common circulation (some argue if it even existed yet) in Texas and would not have been known in the geographic region in which you are discussing."

In my first reenactor impression as a "Horse Soldier," circa 1850-1855, I purchased a re-furbished Thornton Grimsley style U. S. Goverment issued saddle. Grimsley was a saddle maker established in Saint Louis in 1822. A couple of Amigos I was running with at the time also had Grimsley saddles and all three of us did extensive research into the genesis and evolution of this saddle. Besides book learning we were on the ground in various parts of Texas visiting museums and modern day saddle makers because one of the Grimsley evolution paths took us to the area of where we find the "Hope" saddle.

The most obvious thing we learned in research is it is difficult, if not impossible, to know where the original Grimsley manufacture ended and the Hope manufacture started. The process is blurred. The evolution of the saddle took on many forms caused by specific needs of riders and locale.

I submit the Grimsley was in Texas as early as 1822-1823 and subsequently transforming into the Hope before 1836. Many colonists in the Austin Colony, located near the Colorado and Brazos rivers, were from the lead region of Missouri and traveled between the two regions extensively. A Missouri "pilgrim" could quite possibly ride to Texas on a Grimsley and later ride to Missouri on a Hope within the aforementioned time period. This dotted line could be extended into the lead region of North Western Illinois and Michigan Territory starting possibly as early as 1831-32. The "Old Roman," Henry Dodge, from St. Geneivive, MO could have rode in the Michigan territory on a Grimsley, Grimsley modified or a Hope. In addition, Dodge may have rode a Grimsley while commanding the 1st Regiment of U. S. Dragoons because Grimsley was the contracted saddlemaker at the time.

An example of what could be bought from the Thornton Grimsley Company during the Black Hawk War can be found in a thread on this message board AMERICAN ARMED FORCES OF THE BLACK HAWK WAR - ILLINOIS MILITIA- HORSE ACESSORIES. The significant ledger entry is "Spanish Saddles."

[Robert Braun]

mustanggray said:

Maybe I missed something somewhere but Boots and Saddles(or I would guess slight variations thereof) is a military bugle call and was used as such in the context of the quote that was offered earlier in this thread.

Scott is correct-- Lt. Magoon does indeed refer to a bugle call. Ample evidence exists to confirm that Dodge's squadron used bugle calls during the march from Fort Winnebago to the Wisconsin Heights.

However, I believe that Magoon's used a post-BHW term for the bugle call that was used in July 19-21, 1832. His term "Boots and Saddles" would resonate with late 1880s readers... even though the call was likely very different than the "Boots and Saddles" which which we are familiar.

I tend to take Lt. Magoon's account with a grain of salt. There is reason for this-- as has been described by a writer far and away more acquainted with the facts than I. See www.geocities.com/old_lead/gdodge.htm

All the best to you,

Bob

[Larry Koschkee]

Bob said: "However, I believe that Magoon used a post BHW term for the bugle call that was used in July 19-21, 1832. His term "Boots and Saddles" would resonate with late 1880s readers...even though the call was likely very different than "Boots and Saddles" which we are familiar."

I would agree with part of this statement, which is the bugle call made in 1832 may not have been the same as the "Boots and Saddle" call of the 1834 1st Dragoon Regiments or subsequent military equestrian units. However, I firmly believe the term "Boots and Saddle" is not an exclusive "post BHW term." To the contrary, the term and the music can be successfully traced back to at least the 18th century in England, if not beyond. I did not research further than that point.

Secondly, are we to dismiss Magoon's historical accounts, no matter what the subject matter is? If the answer is no, but we must corroborate with a second primary source than we must apply the same standard to all quotes on this board.

Third, can we encourage MustangGray to sign all posts. I like to address and indvidual with their correct name at times... thanks

[Robert Braun]

larrykoschkee said:

Bob said: "However, I believe that Magoon used a post BHW term for the bugle call that was used in July 19-21, 1832. His term "Boots and Saddles" would resonate with late 1880s readers...even though the call was likely very different than "Boots and Saddles" which we are familiar."

I would agree with part of this statement, which is the bugle call made in 1832 may not have been the same as the "Boots and Saddle" call of the 1834 1st Dragoon Regiments or subsequent military equestrian units. However, I firmly believe the term "Boots and Saddle" is not an exclusive "post BHW term." To the contrary, the term and the music can be successfully traced back to at least the 18th century in England, if not beyond. I did not research further than that point.

Secondly, are we to dismiss Magoon's historical accounts, no matter what the subject matter is? If the answer is no, but we must corroborate with a second primary source than we must apply the same standard to all quotes on this board.

Third, can we encourage MustangGray to sign all posts. I like to address and indvidual with their correct name at times... thanks

Thanks, Larry for the opportunity to clarify my post.

I merely stated that the tune might well be different, and that the term "Boots and Saddles" would resonate with late ninteenth century readers of Lt. Magoon's account... immersed (perhaps) in readings and stories of the Old West. If the term "Boots and Saddles" was used in the BHW, no one but Magoon apparently remembered it-- at least enough to write it down.

I did not say we should "dismiss Magoon's historical accounts, no matter what the subject matter is." I said that I "tend take his writings with a grain of salt." Some of what he has said has been shown to be spurious; even horribly wrong-- this by a fellow veteran who witnessed many of the events about which Lt. Magoon wrote and presented not mere opinion but compelling evidence to counter some of the fair officer's recollections.

Absent "Badger Pete" Parkinson's letter, Lt. Magoon's comments clearly would be accepted by modern readers as generally factual in situ. Taken together, I have advocated a light tread and a heightened awareness with the account.

Best regards for the New Year!

Bob

[Robert Braun]

Scott (MUstangGray)--

Larry is correct... I have been remiss in my duties as Moderator for not reminding you (and others) to please sign all posts with your real name. It is one of our few board rules, and one that Larry correctly points out needs to universally applied.

The very best to you...

Bob.

[MustangGray]

Mr. Koschkee,

First, let me apologize for missing my signature... I am an advocate of signing all posts and in my last posting here I unfortunately forgot to do so.

Second, I'm fully aware of Thornton Grimsley's saddle making business but there is a distinct difference between a Grimsley and a Hope/Texas saddle. The basic construction elements are all there with both saddles but the styling was different. Grimsley produced "Spanish saddles" in large part for the fur companies and to a lesser degree the civilian market. The mid to late thirties would see a rise in the civilian interest of the Spanish saddle but it wouldn't be until later that it gained any wide acceptance. The Hope/Texas did not achieve any great popularity until the Mexican War and afterward and this was due in part to it's use by officers and mounted volunteers using them in Mexico.

To say the Grimsley led to the Hope or the Hope to the Grimsley is a bit "off". Both saddles evolved separately from each other but with similar cultural and utilitarian influences as you yourself pointed out. I've not seen any references suggesting that one saddle influenced the other.

I still hold to the statement that the Hope/Texas' existence in the 1830's is debatable. In all my readings on early Texana I've yet to find reference to the Hope/Texas saddle. By the same token I question the existence of Grimsley made saddles in Texas during the 1820's-30's. There is however, a lead that traces the saddles ordered for the Texas dragoons in the late 30's early 40's to a firm in Philadelphia but tracking down whether or not these saddles were ever received is still up in the air. I've just learned of another collection of papers possibly related to this particular saddle but have yet to view them... I had hoped to do so this year(05) but it may be next(06) before I get to them!

If you have any documentation supporting the Hope's existence in geographic region in question and you don't mind sharing it I'd certainly like to see it. While I myself don't have documentation stating the Hope wasn't around then the lack of evidence supporting it's existence is a pretty strong indicator in support of my argument.

Also if you would, I'd like to know why you said the horn was the most significant feature on the Grimsley? It's always been my understanding as I mentioned earlier that the reason the Spanish saddle gained popularity was because of it's rawhided tree which was stronger by far than any design currently employed by Anglos. The reason English type saddles were unpopular on long campaigns wasn't so much because it sored a horses back but because the saddles quickly fell apart and were difficult to repair without a skilled saddler on hand. This very reason is why the padded sidebars were later omitted form the US dragoons saddles(which at the time were in fact built on a "Spanish" tree).

I truly enjoy discussing the evolution of the various saddle styles we all love and ride. Maybe sometime you can come down here to Texas and do some riding with us on an extended campaign. We're headed to the deserts and mountains of West Texas this next fall if you're interested!

Dios, libertad y Tejas,
Scott McMahon
Boonville Mess

[Larry Koschkee]

Before I proceed further with this saddle discussion, I would like to clarify what type of Grimsley saddle I am refering to in connection with the Hope saddle... First, my refurbished Grimsley is military opposed to civilian. What my Amigos and I were tracing into the Austin Colony region of Texas was Grimsley "Spanish Saddles."
In antebellum America any saddle with a horn was considered a "Spanish" saddle.

I was trying to connect the dots from Grimsley's civilian "Spanish Saddle" making to the first generation of military saddles he began building. The first generation and subsequent generations of his miltiary saddles departed dramatically from the "flat saddles" commonly used in America's early miltary equesterian units. The main characteristic was a high cantle and pommel. The most interesting to me is the seemingly pseudo-horn design of the saddle.

Grimsley successfully anglo-ized the Spanish or Mexican saddle at least a decade before Aldolphus Hope, however Grimsley immediatelly saw more money could be made selling saddles to the Military, therefore concentrated a large portion of his resources and saddle engineering in that direction. Hope, on the other hand, not having the business connections or contacts in high places in Washington, as did Grimsley, made his name in the civilian market.

The late Dr. Emanuel Sabinas of Matagorda County, Texas had examined and photographed 100s' or possibly 1000s' of early 19th century saddle carcasses with and without pedigrees and concluded that anglo influence was seen early not only in what is now Texas, but also in northern Mexico. At the time of interviewing Dr. Sabinas in 1987, he was sorting out some information from a equestrian - Americana antique dealer that Hope or an employee had apprenticed with Thornton Grimsley's firm in Saint Louis, therefore raising the possiblility that Hope was influenced by anglo changes Thornton made in the "Spanish" or Mexican style saddle.

Wy do I think the horn was the most significant feature on the Grimsley modified "Spanish Saddle?"

1) Safety - Basically the Euro-Americans rode flat saddles with little or no pommel height. At times a spurred or spooked horse makes a rider wish for a handle to hang onto to keep your seat. In addition, the high pommel and horn helped retard the forward movement of rider.

2) Utility accessory or tool. A rider can attach or hang accessories.

I agree that a rawhide covered tree is an excellent improvement in anglo saddle building, however beyond that the high pommel and horn changed the saddle function from a horse accessory to a working tool. Just the thing to help in the manifest destiny expansion of America. Some say the six-gun won the west. I am a proponent of the saddle winning the west.

Scott, you mentioned a Philadelphia saddle firm that may have supplied Texas dragoon's in the the 1830s and 1840s.

There is a distinct possibility, that the firm could have been Grimsley. Grimsley was building saddles for the military in Saint Louis, MO and also Army personnel trained and supervised by Grimsley employees were building the same saddle in the Arsenal in Philadelphia.

I have enjoyed corresponding with you on the saddles and I agree that without unequivocable evidence everything else is speculation.

Thanks for the invitation to join in a ride in the great state of Texas, however I must respectfully decline. I am scheduled for two "Plains War" campaigns for 2006 in South Dakota and Montana. I have never rode "Military" in your fair state but have done some recreational "cowboying" on the invitation of an ex-military buddy that resided in the Llano Estacado region. The country there was harsh, but beauty could be found. The wine selection was splendid!

I have been privileged to ride on many original and reproduction American Military saddles and have debated the attributes of each one. My preferences are the 19th century M1859 or M1878 McClellan, third choice; 20th century M1904 second choice; and the 19th century Gallatin/Hope first choice. I have an itch to put some pesos on the barrel head for a Edward Gallatin "Hope" tree cavalry saddle. This saddle balances perfectly on the 15th vertebrae and has great design and function for the rigors of a campaign. The saddle does not have the simple beauty or symmetry of the McCellen, but you got to love its performance.

Adios