Charging thru history: Re-enacting the Civil War Cavalry

By Shane Johnson

“It was what we read of in the days of chivalry: acres and acres of horsemen sparkling with sabers, dotted with bits of color where their flags danced above them, hurling against each other at full speed and meeting with a shock that made the earth tremble.” “Like the falling of timberŠso sudden and violent was the collision that many of the horses were turned end over end and crushed their riders beneath themŠ The clashing of sabers, the firing of pistols, the demands for surrender and cries of the combatants now filled the air.”

Sights and sounds of horror and bloodshed to be sure, but enough to make one’s hair stand straight up and get goose-pimples. These are but a few testimonies from the American Civil War, penned by participants who witnessed such events in battle over a century ago. Even today, one might still hear the shrill call of the bugle, the thundering of hooves, the crack of revolvers, and the rattle of the saberŠ with enough imagination.

The great thing is you don’t need your full imagination to envision such scenes as they can regularly be found at the local Civil War  re-enactment! The American Civil War, 150 years old this year, can today still cause debate and controversy, but it has also generated interest and enthusiasm from history buffs the world over. Every summer, scores, hundreds, even thousands of Civil War buffs gather to  re-enact the battles of that long ago conflict, hoping in some small way to get a feeling for what it must have been like for our ancestors all those years ago.

Although  re-enactors can never fully create the war with all its heroism and mayhem, the thrill and adventure and terror of battle can still be felt through the booming of cannon and the roll of musketry. And one of the most challenging and enjoyable impressions to  re-enact is that of the forever noble and romanticized cavalry.

Who and where are the Civil War reeanactors?

Most Nebraskans might expect cavalry  re-enactors, even Civil War re-enacting in general to be relegated to areas of the United States east of the Mississippi River or along the Atlantic coast, but Civil War re-enacting is alive and thriving right here in the Cornhusker State. From Kearney to Omaha, O’Neill to Lincoln, the Civil War is brought to life by organizations and clubs of historical  re-enactors and living historians who seek to educate themselves and the public about the ever popular War Between the States.

The 4th United States Cavalry is one such organization. We in the organization have chosen to portray the great storied history of the regular army and the officers and troopers who rode with the noble 4th Regiment of Regular United States Cavalry, a unit still on active duty to this day. Also, our expertise is not limited to the Civil War, with many members portraying the 4th U.S. Cavalry from its inception in 1855 (when it was known as the 1st U.S. Cavalry) thru the Indian Wars of the 1870s and 1880s.

Formally organized in 2005, the  re-enactors of the 4th U.S. are located largely out of the eastern half of the state and regularly participate in Civil War events spanning not only Nebraska but the neighboring states of Iowa, Missouri, and Kansas. Some members have even been as far south as Oklahoma and Mississippi. Since 2008, the 4th U.S. has expanded to portraying the Indian Wars period based out of Fort Hartsuff State Historical Park, located between Burwell and Ord (check the Game & Parks Commission website for more information).

What does the 4th U.S. do?

The  re-enactors seek to not only educate the general public but each other about the life of the Civil War cavalryman. They attempt to accomplish this through battle re-creations, living history encampments, parades and demonstrations. These are generally organized at a formal Civil War re-enactment weekend, a local town celebration, or during a special school program for students. During the battle re-creations, they portray the cavalrymen in combat, fully equipped and ready to go, horse and all. There are maneuvers across the field, weapons drawn, and an engagement to follow, scripted out in such a way that both sides know who is to “win” and who “loses” the battle. This is done in front of a crowd of spectators to give some small appreciation of what Civil War combat was like.

Living history encampments and demonstrations are far more informal and more hands-on. The public is allowed to see up close and at times handle the equipment and weaponry, ask questions, see how the weapons were used, witness drill done by the troopers, and experience a segment of camp life for the soldiers: tentage, food, the works. Special types of events to attend are the large regional and national events, usually a further distance to travel to. This is where a feeling for what it may have looked like during the Civil War comes as close as possible, brought to life by hundreds or even thousands of participants. Imagine seeing infantry, cavalry, and artillery formations in huge numbers fighting across the field! Observing hundreds of horses riding into battle is something not soon forgotten by spectator and participant alike!

What is used?

The 4th U.S. is a very authentic unit and demand as such from its new members, who must wear the full wool uniforms (yes, they can get hot) and use equipment, weapons, and tack authentic to the Civil War period. The 4th U.S. focuses on the Union cavalrymen, though they have a few members who also own Confederate gear should the need arise to “switch over,” as it were, to make battles more balanced or realistic.

The saddles and tack are based off the M1859 McClellan Saddle, a very popular military saddle that saw use up through the Second World War and the dismounting of the last American units of horse cavalry. Most of us even use the correct military style bits in our horses, designed to be fairly heavy to give instant command to the horse. Halter, saddle blanket, lead strap, reins, all are Civil War correct. Weapons include six shot revolvers, a carbine (short version of a rifle) and saber. All firearms are black powder, loaded in such a way as only powder is expelled from the barrel (as you may have already guessed, the  re-enactors don’t actually shoot bullets at each other!).

All items are generally suspended with leather gear, belts and slings. All of this does cost money (nothing fun is free right?), but new recruits take heart, you are not expected to get all of it at once! There are usually enough extra items to be borrowed for the first few times out, and all the equipment can be collected over a span of a few years.