Near Pleasanton in Linn County, Kansas — The American Midwest (Upper Plains)
Cavalry Horses
Photographed By William Fischer, Jr., October 18, 2014
1. Cavalry Horses Marker
Throughout the war a variety of horses were used by both sides. Morgans, American Saddlebreds, Thoroughbreds, Standardbreds, and Quarter Horses are only a few. The ideal horse was a mare or a gelding, aged four or five years, with a height of 56 to 64 inches (14 to 16 hands) at the shoulders.
The Union army purchased horses while Confederates brought their own mounts from home. When a horse was sick, injured, or killed, the Confederate soldier had 60 days to replace his mount at his own expense. If he could not replace the horse he was forced into the infantry.
By October 1864, after three and a half years of war, horses with the ideal requirements were becoming scarce. Cavalrymen from both sides accepted any horse that was available.
[Photo of] McClellan saddle - widely used by cavalrymen on both sides
Erected 2012 by Kansas State Historical Society.
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Animals • War, US Civil. A significant historical month for this entry is October 1864.
Location. 38° 8.272′ N, 94° 43.557′ W. Marker is near Pleasanton, Kansas, in Linn County. Marker is along the mowed trail, about 0.6 miles SSW of the Mine Creek Civil War Battlefield State Historic Site Visitor Center. Touch for map
this page online
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. Battle of Mine Creek (about 600 feet away, measured in a direct line); Chaos at the Crossing (about 700 feet away); Cavalry (about 700 feet away); "Hurra for Kansas!" (approx. 0.2 miles away); Lieutenant Colonel Frederick W. Benteen Memorial Bridge (approx. 0.2 miles away); Nursing the Wounded (approx. 0.3 miles away); Conclusion of Price Campaign (approx. 0.3 miles away); Union Charge (approx. half a mile away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Pleasanton.
Also see . . .
1. Mine Creek Battle. Kansapedia website entry (Submitted on October 20, 2014, by William Fischer, Jr. of Scranton, Pennsylvania.)
2. Mine Creek Civil War Battlefield. Kansas Historical Society website entry (Submitted on January 16, 2022, by Larry Gertner of New York, New York.)
Photographed By William Fischer, Jr., October 18, 2014
2. Cavalry Horses Marker
Credits. This page was last revised on January 16, 2022. It was originally submitted on October 20, 2014, by William Fischer, Jr. of Scranton, Pennsylvania. This page has been viewed 1,061 times since then and 71 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on October 20, 2014, by William Fischer, Jr. of Scranton, Pennsylvania.
