The Southwestern Historical Quarterly, Volume 54, July 1950 - April, 1951 Page: 209
544 p. : ill., ports., maps. (some col.) ; 23 cm.View a full description of this periodical.
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Notes and Documents
been the intention because the idea (as you will perhaps remember)
originated with myself, and the late Adjutant General and yourself
with whom I was associated in examining for the General-in-Chief
the report of the Uniform Board, at once concurred in the sugges-
tion that such a plate should be introduced as a part of the uniform
of any soldier. But in the order describing the dress (paragraph No.
go) it has, through some mistake, been printed "Sword belt-plate,"
and this has occasioned an anomalous state of things. Thus, while
privates of the Cavalry regiments and all musicians are furnished
with this plate, it is not supplied to corporals and privates of Artil-
lery and Infantry. It should be worn either on the breast or as a
waist belt plate (or, preferably, in both places) by those who do
not carry swords, and the regulation should be changed so as to
read, simply, "Belt-plates." The waist belt plate now issued is that
used prior to the adoption of the new uniform-a plain elliptical
plate with the letters "U.S." in the centre. This plate, as also the
Cartridge box, and cartridge box belt plates, are of cast lead washed
with brass. This washing soon rubs off, exposing the lead beneath,
and the wire hooks or fastenings will not stand the least pull upon
them. All plates should be cast in solid brass.
3.-Cases for Colt's Revolver Pistols. It is not safe to carry this
pistol in the holster, and the practice is universal of wearing it in a
leathern case attached to the sword, or waist belt. It gives the soldier
a feeling of security to carry this arm about his person so that he
cannot be separated from it. The leather cases now used are made,
and often indifferently, at the posts. They should be furnished with
the pistols.
MOUNTED CORPS.
1.-Description of horses. Every cavalry regiment and mounted
company should be required to keep, according to an established
form, a book containing a description of all horses received, similar
to the "Descriptive book" of men now prescribed by the Regulations.
2.-Veterinary Surgeons, or principal farriors. A veterinary Sur-
geon should form part of the organization of every mounted corps.
The services of such a person would often be invaluable. I may
instance the Mounted Riflemen as a case in point. Bvt. Captain
Hatch, Commanding Company I of that regiment, informed me
that, preparatory to embarking for Texas, his company was ordered
to New Orleans to be mounted. As there were not enough well
horses to supply the whole company, he was directed by Major Gen-
eral Twiggs to make up his complement by selecting seventeen from
a lot of sick horses. In doing this he exercised every precaution, but
not being familiar with the diseases of horses, he accidentally got
one or two that were glandered, and thus through his instrumentality
that destructive disease was introduced into his regiment and a large2og
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Texas State Historical Association. The Southwestern Historical Quarterly, Volume 54, July 1950 - April, 1951, periodical, 1951; Austin, Texas. (https://texashistory.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metapth101133/m1/277/: accessed April 23, 2024), University of North Texas Libraries, The Portal to Texas History, https://texashistory.unt.edu; crediting Texas State Historical Association.