They were also both on the Utah Expedition, which brought Buford a good deal of recognition for his efforts as the logistician who engineered the regiment’s winter march to Utah with little notice and fewer supplies.

I hadn’t made the connection until you two made these comments. While he was teaching cavalry tactics at West Point he influenced several interesting future cavalry leaders, but I’ll post on that tomorrow. 8^)

From his photos, I’d say Sackett was large for a cavalryman as well …

During the period from 1861-May 1862, Sackett worked very closely with Major John Buford, West Point Class of 1848, and a commissioned officer in the 2nd Dragoons. Buford was assigned to the IG’s office when the 2nd Dragoons came east and were re-designated as the 2nd U. S. Cavalry. Buford was specifically assigned to the IG’s office because it was generally acknowledged that there were few, if any, other officers in the Army more knowledgeable or more intimately familiar with good horseflesh. His grandfather and great uncle had pretty much started the thoroughbred horse racing industry in Kentucky, and it was well known throughout the Army that John Buford was THE guy on cavalry horses.

The duty was indispensable, but Buford was bored to death in it. However, it does appear that he enjoyed Sackett’s company, as two old horse cavalrymen would. Sackett also served with John Buford’s first cousin, Capt. Abraham Buford, who was a member of the West Point Class of 1841, and who would have served with Sackett in the 1st Dragoons. Abe Buford was known as a “hell roarer”, and was quite the character. He undoubtedly left an indelible mark on Sackett’s memory, as he did with most who met him. He was over six feet tall, and weighed about 250 pounds, huge for the day, and enormous for a cavalryman.

Eric