The HORSE DRAWN Papers #10

T H E   T R I M M E R

Regimental Flag of the 113 OVI

As Dave Engels of Engels Coach Shop has pointed out, the are several trades that can get sewn into the title 'Wagon Maker.'  If I recall correctly, these include Wheelwright (chassis, wheels, suspension, and frame), Wainwright (body), Trimmer (Upholstery, coverings, and other canvas or fabric accoutrements), Painter, and Striper (pinstriping).  This is not an inclusive list and in an industrial manufacturing system, these trades may have been split into separate shops.

Captain James Royal Ladd is listed as a Trimmer in the 1880 Federal Census.  His pension records indicate he served in the Civil War beginning in 1862 as a private.  At some point, he was promoted to Sergeant before receiving a Congressional Appointment as an officer.  James had three children: Harry, Walter, and John.  The good Captain married Miss Mary E. Van Buskirk.  James was born on June 21, 1835, in New York to Royal and Mary (Gay) Ladd.  In the 1900 Federal Census, he is listed as a gardener, and this makes sense because by this time, James was collecting his pension.  James did not need a job but could supplement his income selling produce.  James passed away on or before March 17, 1905, and laid to rest in Alexandria's Maple Grove Cemetery as a veteran.  One record gives a death date of February 4.  In rural areas, the soil may be so frozen that burials were postponed until after the Spring Thaw.  Accordingly, Maple Grove Cemetery build an above ground mausoleum to accommodate this issue.

James may have enlisted as a private, but after initial training, was officially made a Sergeant shortly after.  By his discharge at war's end, he had been promoted to the rank of Captain. This is not unusual.  Along the way, James was, according to laddfamily.com, was inducted at either Camp Chase in Columbus or Camp Zanesville in Zanesville.  The regiment was ordered to secure Louisville at the very end of 1862.  They then went to Nashville and by September 1863, they were involved in Chickamauga.  The 113 OVI was also at Ringgold, but generally stayed in the northern portions of the south, that is, Kentucky, Tennessee, and the Carolinas, at least until they joined Sherman's March.  James was mustered out of Company H on July 6, 1865

By way of example, James left behind a diary.  Here is an entry from December 6, 1864,

Nov. 14th.  Marched at 6 A.M. passing over the ground near Kinesaw [Kennesaw] Mountain where we fought last summer.  Little did we think at that time that so soon again would we be called upon to remarch the same again.  We passed through several lines of works which the 113th had built itself and saw several graves of the boys we had buried, which served to awaken sad thoughts within our breasts.  We continued our march late in the evening marching 24 miles and burning everything we came to as we went, camping for the night at Vinings Station.

[Author's Note:  The Battle of Kennesaw Mountain was one of the bloodiest battles in Sherman's March on Atlanta.  After nearly a week of fighting, and dying, Sherman was able to outflank the Confederate troops.  Once successful, Sherman's approach to and capture of Atlanta became the next objective.]

So why be a trimmer?  When I retired from the Air Force, I still needed a job to bring in income.  I wanted 40 hours each week, but more importantly, I was done with the 24/7 life.  I love barbecue, so I worked as a meat cutter and fishmonger for a major grocer to better understand the steaks I love.  I never took work home and after an eight-our-day, I was my own person.  I cannot imagine James Ladd feeling differently.

I am going to guess they was little need for a trimmer in Horse Drawn Alexandria.  His absence was not replaced by any carriage maker, and more than likely, the wagonmaker added this job to his own skillset.

James, from Captain to Captain, thank you for your service.  Rest easy, my brother.