Dr. Wheat:

I am aware that there were rest/recuperation depots for Union cavalry mounts, though frequently cavalry on campaign (my knowledge has to do with Wilson's raid into Alabama) "broken-down" horses would be "exchanged" with mounts "requesitioned" from locals. I had primary evidence that horses and mules were systematically rounded up by detailed squads on a regular basis on the march. Forrest, on the other hand, strictly forbade this practice, and horseflesh could only be impressed from civilians on the express order of his quartermaster.

I have found one record of a farrier in a Michigan Cav regiment, when transferred to another regiment, gained the promotion to "Veterinary Surgeon," though I have not been able to find anyone with knowledge about how these individuals functioned in the scheme of things. I would imagine that these fellows were more versed in the voo doo and withchcraft of equine disease management of the mid-nineteenth century, and applied these "therapies" with greater confidence than the regular farriers.

Am very interested in this aspect of logistics of mounted and horse/mule-drawn services during the War of 1861, perhaps for the same reasons as yourself.

Scott W. Owens, DVM (AU, '83)