Those darn mules

[Beth]

One thing that is often cited is that Crook handled his mules much better than Custer.  I believe Crook had been using mule trains long before the 1876 and had practically pioneered their use in American western warfare.

1.  Why didn't Custer have a clue how to train and use his mules.  Didn't different regiments share note between each other on things that worked or didn't or did they sort of guard such knowledge from each other?

2. I know that fully training mules takes more time than the 7th had but couldn't Custer have done anything different?

3. When did the 7th get their mules? 

4.  Did the 7th hire experienced mule handlers?  I know that at least 3 members of the civilian handlers got their positions due to nepotism. (Boss, Autie and Yates BIL)  Is this yet another place where Custer's need to be surrounded by friendly faces really bit him in the --rear?

[deadwoodgultch]

Training, training, training. Competent handlers, who have worked pack trains, also not traditional wagon mules being converted for your purpose.

Regards,
Tom

[Beth]

I take it the problem with wagon mules is they have been trained to pull wagons, not carry packs?

I have a high school friend who can best be described as a 'mountain man' out in Colorado. He uses mules a lot to go from his ranch to his place high up in the mountains. He was telling me you can get a mule to do anything once you have their trust.

[dave]

Beth
Some folks who have mules here in my area swear by them over horses. The mule is stronger, especially used for plowing and disking, and can trained with patience.
I have a small clip of a farmer using his mules, thought you might enjoy.
Regards
Dave


www.youtube.com/watch?v=xw73Gu6Qvik

[Beth]

Thanks Dave. I did enjoy that. It makes you realize how labor intensive farming use to be. It would take a lot more men and man-hours to make an acre productive compared to methods today. No wonder family farms were so small before the tractor. Can you image how much work it was before the sulky plow and it was one man, one animal and a single plow breaking that tough prairie sod?

My dad on the other hand remembered as a boy being on horse drawn hay wagons stacking the hay bales after the men threw them on.  Only a couple neighbors had hay balers so everyone would go from farm to farm to get the hay in.

My grandfather farmed with mules and my mom remembered details about the mules well into old age. I'm not sure when he switched to a tractor, probably towards the end of the depression and just before the War.

My dad's family on the other hand had a bigger farm and owned a tractor but my dad remembered as a boy being on horse or mule drawn hay wagons stacking the hay bales after the men threw them on. Only a couple neighbors had hay balers so everyone would go from farm to farm to get the hay in.

There are a lot of people in Iowa who keep mules plus there are several Amish settlements around Iowa so I've seen horses/mules at work. I've even attended more than one horse and mule pull over the years.

I've also seen this guy's team a couple times. It's hard to explain how cool it is. You feel in your feel the pounding of the hooves as the horses as they go by.

40 horse hitch  

[carl]

My Dad got a tractor (an Oliver) in 1941 or 1942.
He still kept his horses though.

160 acres was the norm for one man - provided he
was young enough and willing to work very hard.

The family would help when needed. I still have
memories when my mother and I were shocking
wheat bundles before the rains came. My
Mother was 7 or 8 months pregnant at the time
and I was 10 years old.

[Beth]

Olivers were made in Charles City Iowa--my hometown.

[yanmacca]

Not surprising they used mules, I thought that every company had a wagoner that was organic to the unit, similar to a saddler, blacksmith and farrier, but I can find only two wagoner’s on the 7th cavalry muster role and these are;

Albert Whytefield (K Company)
Joseph Ricketts (M Company)

Needless to say, both men were on detached service.

Yan.