This is a leather haversack from the Indian Wars period. The haversack is made of quality leather and measures 11 1/2" wide, 9" high and 2 1/2" at the thickest part. The haversack is divided into two sections. The leather is still very pliable with very little crazing being present. The outer flap does have a small repair to the right upper corner. There is also a broken loop where the roller buckle for the closure strap is attaches to the haversack. The closure tab itself has a small section broken off. It is attached to the haversack by a copper rivet. The leather shoulder strap is attached by two copper rivets. It is adjustable by use of a large roller buckle. There is a 1" brass number one attached to the cover of the outer flap. There is no history with this one, but a quick check shows the only unit during the Indian Wars campaign with a 1 in the unit designation was the First Cavalry Regiment. Initially the unit was known as the United States Regiment of Dragoons when it was organized on 2 march, 1833. In 1836 it became the First Dragoons after the Second Regiment was organized. At the outbreak of the Civil War the War Department changed the regiment's designation to the First Regiment of Cavalry. The First Regiment served on the frontier from the 1830's until the outbreak of the Mexican War. On 1 August, 1846 the regiment marched from Bent's Fort on the Arkansas river towards Santa Fe, New Mexico. Santa Fe was occupied with little opposition. The regiment moved on from Santa Fe to California, arriving in December. They were involved in several battles and skirmishes in southern California through 1846 - 1847. Several detached companies of the First Regiment fought in Mexico and returned to the U.S. in 1848. The regiment returned to frontier duty and remained at various forts and outposts until the start of the Civil War. During the Civil War the First Regiment was involved in the Peninsula Campaign, Gaines' Mill, Malvern Hill, Kelly's Ford, Beverly Ford, Gettysburg, Spotsylvania Court House, Yellow Tavern, Battle of Cold Harbor, Battle of Trevilian Station, the Shenandoah campaign and all other major battles the Cavalry Corps was involved in. They were present at the surrender at Appomattox Courthouse. After the final surrender of Confederate forces the regiment returned to Petersburg. They then escorted General Sheridan to Washington and participated in the Grand Review of the Armies. Upon the conclusion of the Civil War the First Regiment of Cavalry returned to frontier duty. There they remained, from 1866 through 1891. The regiment fought in the Snake War, the Apache Wars, the Modoc War, the Nez Perce War, and the Bannock War. They served in California, Oregon, the Washington territory, Idaho, Nevada, Arizona, and Montana. During this time period 30 trooper and officers of the First Regiment of cavalry were awarded the Medal of Honor. If you are a collector of Indian Wars cavalry relics, this could well be the center piece of your collection!

Item # AA775

(Sold)