About the Author...

    I am Corporal Steven T. Kerry. I am a member of the 17th Pennsylvania Cavalry Co F Remounts. As a remount camp, we portray the life of a cavalry soldier who lost his horse through battle, disease, or some other means. We were sent to a "Remount Camp" where we have 90 days to be reissued a new mount. If we do not receive a new horse within this time period, we are re-outfitted with infantry gear and sent to various companies. However, it is not the desire of a cavalry soldier to become an infantry soldier.

    I had many relatives in the Cavalry. These include the Rice and Reeves from company C of the 8th New York Cavalry. The 8th Cavalry did not have horses until late 1862. They were issued infantry gear after 6 months without mounts. During this time, the 8th was stationed in Harper's Ferry. They were camped for 10 days where they left their rifles stacked in all the elements. The rifles were rusted when they were ordered to move out. It was realized that they would rather be dead than infantry. They were later reissued cavalry gear and horses.

 My great great great grandfather was a Captain of Company G 8th Michigan Cavalry. He joined in 1863 where he spent the first part of his career chasing the Rebel "Morgan" and his raiders throughout Ohio. He later marched with Sherman to Atlanta.

More to come.....