Additional Firepower

[Tom Elmore]

This post describes instances where a unit's firepower was augmented, if slightly. The examples fall into different categories:

1. An officer or sergeant major who personally took up a weapon and joined the firing line, sometimes with mixed results.
2. An officer who assisted his men in preparing cartridges, speeding up their rate of fire.
3. An enlisted man who was either very ill or else served in a support role, but refused to remain out of the fight.

-Captain John H. Martin of Company D, 17th Georgia "carried a rifle into the fights and fought with his men." (Memoirs of Georgia, II:711)

-On July 1, Major Grover, in command of the regiment, ordered Sergeant Major Edgar D. Haviland to give his gun to one of the men in the ranks. Haviland afterwards wrote: "But that made me mad for I wanted to stand with the rest of the boys, and I asked him if he would not let me keep it. He said, 'You must be a d----d fool, you have got your hands full now without a gun.' [Then] he said, 'You are a brave little devil.'" (August 11 letter of Sergeant Major Edgar D. Haviland, 76th New York)

-On July 1, Lt. G. A. Deering of Company G, 16th Maine, "sheathed his sword and seized a musket from a fallen man and went into the ranks. He would occasionally forget to return his rammer after loading and thus sent it over to the enemy." (The Sixteenth Maine Regiment in the War of the Rebellion, by Maj. A. R. Small, published by the Regimental Association, Portland, ME: B. Thurston & Co., 1886, p. 119)

-On July 3, a company of Berdan's [First U.S.] Sharpshooters was brought up [to the summit of Little Round Top] and afforded some protection [against enemy sharpshooters]. It was here that General [Gouverneur K.] Warren thought he could use one of the heavy rifles better than the man who had it. After firing it a few times, with what effect no one could tell, his own neck was grazed by a Rebel bullet. He bound it up with his handkerchief, and relinquished the rifle. (General James G. Grindlay, 146th Regiment Infantry, New York at Gettysburg, Final Report, III:972)

-On the morning of July 3, brigade commander Colonel George A. Cobham Jr., "tried his skill at a sharpshooter in an improvised shelter of rocks some distance down [Culp's] hill." (Soldier's True, The Story of the One Hundred and Eleventh Regiment Pennsylvania Veteran Volunteers, by John Richards Boyle, 1903)

-In the 147th New York, at Culp's Hill on July 3, "officers would tear cartridges for the men as fast as they could fire them." Lieutenant J. V. Pierce tore cartridges for two men, handing them the [minie] balls and cups of powder. (Captain [then 2nd Lieutenant] J. V. Pierce of Company G, New Yorkers in the Civil War, A Historic Journal, vol. 6, ed. by R. L. Murray)

-Sergeant M. Kirby of Company K, 97th New York, recalled that on July 1, while on Oak Ridge, Lt. Rush P. Cady took cartridges out of the men's boxes and opened them, so the men could fire faster. He did that for Kirby and then put them back in the cartridge box. Lt. Cady was mortally wounded later that day. (September 7 letter of Sgt. M. Kirby)

-Captain William L. Stork wrote: "Whilst in the breastworks [on the morning of July 3], I assisted one of my men, 'McLaughlin,' [Private Emanuel McLaughlin] in loading his gun. I would take the cartridges out of his box and tear them with my teeth and hand to him to put in his gun. … [McLaughlin] had about exhausted his ammunition when a ball, evidently from a sharp-shooter, struck him in the head" [killing him instantly]. (Personal Recollections of the Civil War, Captain William L. Stork, Company I, 29th Pennsylvania, The Lutheran Observer, May 27, 1904, 4:677)

-Private Michael H. Willihan of Company I, 25th Virginia, was sent to an ambulance at sick call on July 2, but he went out to fight anyway later that evening and suffered a gunshot fracture of his right arm, which was amputated at the shoulder joint. (Confederate Veteran magazine, vol. 20, no. 6, June 1912, p. 286; Confederate Casualties at Gettysburg, by Busey and Busey, 3:1646)

-On July 2, when concealed Rebel riflemen were annoying artillerists of the 4th New York Battery at Devils' Den, Michael Broderick, detailed from the 11th Massachusetts to drive the battery wagon, left his team, which was out of danger, and came forward to the crest where things were lively. Picking up a musket which had been dropped by the infantry, Broderick was soon engaged with a foe who was evidently behind one of the boulders in front. … He was taken prisoner, but escaped his captors during the night and reported for duty the next morning. (Capt. James E. Smith, New York at Gettysburg, 3:1293)

 

[Gettysburg Guide #154]

This post describes instances where a unit's firepower was augmented, if slightly. The examples fall into different categories:

1. An officer or sergeant major who personally took up a weapon and joined the firing line, sometimes with mixed results.
2. An officer who assisted his men in preparing cartridges, speeding up their rate of fire.
3. An enlisted man who was either very ill or else served in a support role, but refused to remain out of the fight.

-Captain John H. Martin of Company D, 17th Georgia "carried a rifle into the fights and fought with his men." (Memoirs of Georgia, II:711)

-On July 1, Major Grover, in command of the regiment, ordered Sergeant Major Edgar D. Haviland to give his gun to one of the men in the ranks. Haviland afterwards wrote: "But that made me mad for I wanted to stand with the rest of the boys, and I asked him if he would not let me keep it. He said, 'You must be a d----d fool, you have got your hands full now without a gun.' [Then] he said, 'You are a brave little devil.'" (August 11 letter of Sergeant Major Edgar D. Haviland, 76th New York)

-On July 1, Lt. G. A. Deering of Company G, 16th Maine, "sheathed his sword and seized a musket from a fallen man and went into the ranks. He would occasionally forget to return his rammer after loading and thus sent it over to the enemy." (The Sixteenth Maine Regiment in the War of the Rebellion, by Maj. A. R. Small, published by the Regimental Association, Portland, ME: B. Thurston & Co., 1886, p. 119)

-On July 3, a company of Berdan's [First U.S.] Sharpshooters was brought up [to the summit of Little Round Top] and afforded some protection [against enemy sharpshooters]. It was here that General [Gouverneur K.] Warren thought he could use one of the heavy rifles better than the man who had it. After firing it a few times, with what effect no one could tell, his own neck was grazed by a Rebel bullet. He bound it up with his handkerchief, and relinquished the rifle. (General James G. Grindlay, 146th Regiment Infantry, New York at Gettysburg, Final Report, III:972)

-On the morning of July 3, brigade commander Colonel George A. Cobham Jr., "tried his skill at a sharpshooter in an improvised shelter of rocks some distance down [Culp's] hill." (Soldier's True, The Story of the One Hundred and Eleventh Regiment Pennsylvania Veteran Volunteers, by John Richards Boyle, 1903)

-In the 147th New York, at Culp's Hill on July 3, "officers would tear cartridges for the men as fast as they could fire them." Lieutenant J. V. Pierce tore cartridges for two men, handing them the [minie] balls and cups of powder. (Captain [then 2nd Lieutenant] J. V. Pierce of Company G, New Yorkers in the Civil War, A Historic Journal, vol. 6, ed. by R. L. Murray)

-Sergeant M. Kirby of Company K, 97th New York, recalled that on July 1, while on Oak Ridge, Lt. Rush P. Cady took cartridges out of the men's boxes and opened them, so the men could fire faster. He did that for Kirby and then put them back in the cartridge box. Lt. Cady was mortally wounded later that day. (September 7 letter of Sgt. M. Kirby)

-Captain William L. Stork wrote: "Whilst in the breastworks [on the morning of July 3], I assisted one of my men, 'McLaughlin,' [Private Emanuel McLaughlin] in loading his gun. I would take the cartridges out of his box and tear them with my teeth and hand to him to put in his gun. … [McLaughlin] had about exhausted his ammunition when a ball, evidently from a sharp-shooter, struck him in the head" [killing him instantly]. (Personal Recollections of the Civil War, Captain William L. Stork, Company I, 29th Pennsylvania, The Lutheran Observer, May 27, 1904, 4:677)

-Private Michael H. Willihan of Company I, 25th Virginia, was sent to an ambulance at sick call on July 2, but he went out to fight anyway later that evening and suffered a gunshot fracture of his right arm, which was amputated at the shoulder joint. (Confederate Veteran magazine, vol. 20, no. 6, June 1912, p. 286; Confederate Casualties at Gettysburg, by Busey and Busey, 3:1646)

-On July 2, when concealed Rebel riflemen were annoying artillerists of the 4th New York Battery at Devils' Den, Michael Broderick, detailed from the 11th Massachusetts to drive the battery wagon, left his team, which was out of danger, and came forward to the crest where things were lively. Picking up a musket which had been dropped by the infantry, Broderick was soon engaged with a foe who was evidently behind one of the boulders in front. … He was taken prisoner, but escaped his captors during the night and reported for duty the next morning. (Capt. James E. Smith, New York at Gettysburg, 3:1293)

Should we add Henry Hunt to the list? He is reported to have screamed "See 'em! See 'em!" while emptying his pistol at Confederates near Cowan's Battery just south of the copse of trees during the repulse of the July 3 afternoon assault. He was probably less effective than the double canister being fired by the battery.

 

[Tom Elmore]

Part 2:

These additions include three clerks who were authorized to remain out of the fight, but chose to join their comrades on the firing line.

-At the time of his death [Private W. Clindenen Black, Company I, 13th Mississippi] had been acting as clerk for Adjutant Harman … His going into the fight was entirely voluntary. … It seems he preferred sharing the dangers of his company and messmates. He was killed instantly by a shot received in the left breast. His remains were decently buried in a garden … (John W. Henderson to Mrs. John Henderson, McAlister Papers, Mississippi in the Confederacy, As They Saw It, ed. by John K. Bettersworth, 1961)

-Forage Master R. W. Scorgin of Company I, 2nd Georgia, went into the fight voluntarily and fought bravely until wounded. (Official Report of Lt. Col. William S. Shepherd, 2nd Georgia)

-Anthony McDermott of Company I, 69th Pennsylvania recalled: "I was a private in Company I, the extreme right company of the regiment. I was adjutant clerk [and] they took my musket away from me, but I filled my pockets with cartridges and picked up the first musket I saw and got in shots whenever I could." (Blue & Gray Magazine, Spring 2003, vol. XX, no. 4, p. 46)

-Robert Shortelle was our company clerk and had not carried a musket for a long time, but on the march to Gettysburg he had picked up a carbine, and said he intended to help fight the rebels out of his native State. He went in with us and was struck by a canister shot in the groin and died the next morning. (Silas W. Crocker, Co. I, 6th Pa. Reserves, National Tribune, October 15, 1885, p. 4)

-Lieutenant [Bishop H.] True [of Company E] did well; he took a gun, and fought like a man. (John D. McMahon's Diary of the 136th New York, 1861-1864, by John Michael Priest)

 

[rpkennedy]

-On July 1, Major Grover, in command of the regiment, ordered Sergeant Major Edgar D. Haviland to give his gun to one of the men in the ranks. Haviland afterwards wrote: "But that made me mad for I wanted to stand with the rest of the boys, and I asked him if he would not let me keep it. He said, 'You must be a d----d fool, you have got your hands full now without a gun.' [Then] he said, 'You are a brave little devil.'" (August 11 letter of Sergeant Major Edgar D. Haviland, 76th New York)

I think that Haviland was an acting sergeant major because he was never promoted above the rank of sergeant and was returned to the ranks later in 1863. As an aside, Major Andrew Grover was killed at Gettysburg and Haviland was killed in action at the Wilderness.

Ryan

 

[danny]

Nice job

I've always thought that many units were over burdened with non effectives such as superfluous aides and staff officers.

 

[JOHN42768]

Sometimes many hands make the job go easier and sometimes not.

 

[Miles Krisman]

-On the morning of July 3, brigade commander Colonel George A. Cobham Jr., "tried his skill at a sharpshooter in an improvised shelter of rocks some distance down [Culp's] hill." (Soldier's True, The Story of the One Hundred and Eleventh Regiment Pennsylvania Veteran Volunteers, by John Richards Boyle, 1903)

Tom,

A most interesting post as usual!

I was wondering if you have access to the reference " Soldier's True, The Story of the One Hundred and Eleventh Regiment Pennsylvania Veteran Volunteers, by John Richards Boyle, 1903"?

If so, would it be possible to check to see what, if anything, it had to say about the capture of the flag of the 5th Alabama Infantry Regiment at the Battle of Chancellorsville?

Thanks,
Miles

 

[Carronade]

If an officer "borrows" a weapon from the soldier to whom it is assigned, he's not adding to the unit's firepower.

 

[Tom Elmore]

-On the morning of July 3, brigade commander Colonel George A. Cobham Jr., "tried his skill at a sharpshooter in an improvised shelter of rocks some distance down [Culp's] hill." (Soldier's True, The Story of the One Hundred and Eleventh Regiment Pennsylvania Veteran Volunteers, by John Richards Boyle, 1903)

Tom,

A most interesting post as usual!

I was wondering if you have access to the reference " Soldier's True, The Story of the One Hundred and Eleventh Regiment Pennsylvania Veteran Volunteers, by John Richards Boyle, 1903"?

If so, would it be possible to check to see what, if anything, it had to say about the capture of the flag of the 5th Alabama Infantry Regiment at the Battle of Chancellorsville?

Thanks,
Miles

Miles, this book and many others like it are made available online by HathiTrust:

Soldiers true; the story of the One hundred and eleventh regiment Pennsylvania veteran volunteers and of its campaigns in the war for the union, 1861-1865, ...

 

[Miles Krisman]

Miles, this book and many others like it are made available online by HathiTrust:

Soldiers true; the story of the One hundred and eleventh regiment Pennsylvania veteran volunteers and of its campaigns in the war for the union, 1861-1865, ...

Thank you so much for the link!

 

[Tom Elmore]

Part 3:

-William Sinclair Booton, Company A, 8th Georgia, was a secretary to Gen. [George T.] Anderson [actually clerk to his Acting Adjutant General], which relieved him from all other duties, but when the Rome Light Guards approached with only three officers and twenty-one men, impelled by a strong sense of duty and pure patriotism, he applied to Gen. Anderson for permission to again enter the ranks. The request was at first denied, but being urged was granted him, so he grasped a rifle from a weary, foot-sore soldier, dragging himself along, and promptly fell in line with his comrades, the peerless twenty-three privates. … One of the first shots fired … struck him and instantly he expired. (A Brief History of the Military Career of William Sinclair Booton, by Mattie A. Sheibley, Confederate Reminiscences and Letters, Georgia Division, United Daughters of the Confederacy, Atlanta (1995-2000); Compiled Service Records, Fold3.

-Lieutenant Daniel N. Easley of the 9th Georgia, found himself in an advanced position with two of his men, who were soon killed. "Discovering he was alone, he determined to make best use of his time, and taking the gun of one of his dead companions, he had employed every moment in firing from behind [a] rock at the enemy in front … and had emptied their cartridge boxes." (The Battle of Gettysburg, by George Hillyer, Address Before the Walton County Georgia Confederate Veterans, August 2nd, 1904, From the Walton Tribune.)

-Captain George Hillyer, acting commander of the 9th Georgia on the late afternoon of July 2, did not let his supervisory duties get in the way of his shooting. Over 40 times during the course of three hours, a young lad named Thomas Michael loaded a gun by his side and handed it off to the captain, while Thomas held his sword. After every discharge, Hillyer would get his sword back to command his men. (@Scott F contributed this information, see: https://civilwartalk.com/threads/ge...-final-advance-on-july-2.184719/#post-2398864)

-On July 1, Captain Campbell T. Iredell of Company C, 47th North Carolina, which was the color company, "seeing one of his men fall mortally wounded, rushes to his side and says, 'My dear boy, I will try to avenge your hurt.' He took his musket and continued to use it until he was struck by a shot from the enemy, which caused his death, not, however, until he had seen the enemy turn and flee." (Sketch by 2nd Lieutenant J. Rowan Rogers, Company I, Histories of the Several Regiments and Battalions from North Carolina, Forty-Seventh Regiment, North Carolina Troops, III:107)

-There were so many excess officers managing the number of enlisted men (under 100) in the 61st New York, that Lieutenant Charles A. Fuller of Company C resolved to take a musket from a disabled man at the first chance and get into the firing line. Fuller nearly fulfilled his vow, recalling: "Near to me I saw a man named Daily [Private Edward Dagly of Company E?] go down, shot through the neck. I made a movement to get his gun, but at that moment I was struck in the shoulder." (Personal Recollections of the War of 1861, by Charles A. Fuller, Sherburne, NY: News Job Printing House, 1906, pp. 94-95)

-On July 2, 1st Lieutenant Willis G. Babcock of Company G, 64th New York, was observed standing by the side of Sergeant Peterson of his company, tearing cartridges for him. (Major L. W. Bradley, 64th New York, Civil War Newspaper Clippings, New York Military Museum)

 

[KianGaf]

Was an officer prohibited from having a rifle or only frowned upon. Was it etiquette that dictated they use a sidearm or regulations ?

 

[Scott F]

Thomas W. Sligh was an orderly for the 3rd South Carolina Regiment at Gettysburg but coaxed his way into the fight losing his young life in the fighting. In the photo by Alexander Gardner taken near the Rose Barn on July 6th his body is second from the left. Here is what a comrade had to say about him.

Thirty-six years ago I knew a fine fellow just about eighteen years old and to-day he comes back to us so distinctly ! He was a native of Newberry and when the war first broke out he left Newberry College to enlist as a private in Company E of the Third South Carolina Infantry. With his fine qualities of head and heart, it was natural that he should become a general favorite — witty, very ready, and always kind. His was a brave heart, too. Still he was rather girlish in appearance, for physically he was not strong. This latter condition may explain why he was called to act as Orderly at Regimental Head- quarters when J. E. Brown gave up that position for that of courier with General Longstreet early in the year 1863. Just before the Third Regiment went into action at Gettysburg, Pennsylvania, and while preparing for that event, it became necessary, under general orders, that the field and staff of the regiment should dismount. It was the habit during battles to commit the horses to the control of the Regimental Orderly. On this occasion the Adjutant said to young Sligh: "Now, Tom, get behind some hill and the moment we call you, bring up the horses; time is often of importance." To the Adjutant's surprise Sligh burst into tears and besought that officer not to require him to stay behind, but on the contrary, to allow him to join his company and go into battle. At first this was denied, but so persistent was he in his request that the Adjutant, who was very fond of him, said: "Well Tom, for this one time you may go, but don't ask it again." Away he went with a smile instead of a tear. Poor fellow ! The Orderly, Thomas W. Sligh, was killed in that battle while assisting to drive back General Sickles from the "Peach Orchard" on the 2d day of July, 1863.

 

[rpkennedy]

-There were so many excess officers managing the number of enlisted men (under 100) in the 61st New York, that Lieutenant Charles A. Fuller of Company C resolved to take a musket from a disabled man at the first chance and get into the firing line. Fuller nearly fulfilled his vow, recalling: "Near to me I saw a man named Daily [Private Edward Dagly of Company E?] go down, shot through the neck. I made a movement to get his gun, but at that moment I was struck in the shoulder." (Personal Recollections of the War of 1861, by Charles A. Fuller, Sherburne, NY: News Job Printing House, 1906, pp. 94-95)

Edward Dagly is most likely correct. He is the only one with a name similar to "Daily" who was killed at Gettysburg.

The 61st New York is an odd regiment at Gettysburg as they took 104 men into combat, 14 of them officers. It's no wonder that a lieutenant would have the time to attempt to take up a rifle.

Ryan

 

[The Walking Dead]

Another interesting thread Mr. Elmore. Thank you.

I don't find this unusual. I know of officers who did this in modern conflicts from WW I to the GWOT. They also did this to blend in with their troops so as not to stand out as targets (officer's). I personally did this.

 

[Tom Elmore]

Part 4:

-Darkness was coming [July 2] … Just at this moment, Major Walton, of Vicksburg, a member of Longstreet's staff, came up to me, face powder-stained from biting off cartridges, told me that his horse was killed, and being afoot on the battlefield, he got a gun from a fallen Confederate and went into the fight. He asked me for my horse, telling me to go seek the headquarters and wait there for him. (Unwritten History of the Gettysburg Campaign, by William Youngblood, Southern Historical Society Papers, vol. 38, 1910, pp. 316-3175) [Youngblood was one of Longstreet's couriers.]

-My clerk, Ernest Simpson, a German without a friend in America, begged that I would let him fight. At last I consented. He went in and fought as only the brave fight until a shot took off his head and wounded three other men. Simpson was a private, but he was a gentleman and I regarded him more as a brother than a private in my command. (December 31, 1863 letter of Lt. John K. Bucklyn, Battery E, 1st Rhode Island, to Bachelder, Bachelder Papers, 1:73)

-During the afternoon of July 2 on Little Round Top, Lieutenant Ziba Graham of the 16th Michigan spent part of his time collecting unused ammunition from the wounded, and then "Ioading the guns for those who could fire." (On to Gettysburg, Ten Days from my Diary of 1863, by Ziba B. Graham, Paper Read Before the Commandery of the State of Michigan, at Detroit, March 2, 1889)

-Delancy S. Veale of the 109th Pennsylvania was killed in action on July 3. "Young Veale, often noticed for his singularly handsome and bright countenance, was adjutant's clerk of his regiment, but insisted on going into action with his rifle." (Official report of Brigadier General Thomas L. Kane)

-On July 3, while preparing for a charge by Steuart's brigade on Culp's Hill, "Lieutenant [Nelson] Byers picked up a gun so as to be able to assist in repelling the anticipated advance." (Company G, 147th, P.V.I., by Corporal J. A. Lumbard, http://josephlumbard.tripod.com/diaryfull.htm, 1/28/2006)

 

[Tom Elmore]

Part 5:

-Drummer Patrick F. "Pat" Brannon of Company K, 15th Alabama "took a fallen comrade's gun and fought in the Fredericksburg and Gettysburg battles." … "It was impossible to keep him in the rear." Brannon was 13 years and six months old when he enlisted in July 1861, or just 15 when he fought at Gettysburg. (Times Dispatch, Richmond, Virginia, June 22, 1913, citing an article in the Montgomery Advertiser)

-Captain Nero G. Bradford of Company I, 26th North Carolina picked up a musket to use during the July 3 assault on Cemetery Ridge. He was struck by a minie ball through the left breast and arm: "The motion of his heart could be plainly seen in the bullet hole." But after four weeks he was considered out of danger and lived until September 1889. (The Lenior Topic, Lenoir, North Carolina, November 6, 1889, p. 3)

-On July 1, on Oak Ridge northwest of the town, "[Brig.] Gen. [John C.] Robinson, his staff and orderlies ransacked every cartridge box of the dead and wounded and shared with us all they found … I personally received three cartridges from the hand of my division commander." (Robinson's Division, by John C. Delaney, 107th Pennsylvania, National Tribune, September 17, 1908, p. 7.)

-"At that time [during the Confederate assault on the afternoon of July 3], I was firing two Sharps rifles, which Lieutenant [Frederic B.] Hawley was loading for me; they belonged to men wounded early in the day." (Sergeant Major William B. Hincks, History of the Fourteenth Regiment Connecticut Vol. Infantry, by Charles D. Page, Meriden, CT: The Horton Printing Co., 1906, p. 155. The 14th Connecticut was armed with Sharps Rifles.)

 

[Tom Elmore]

Part 6:

-Private Ely Mark McDaniel of Company F, 8th Louisiana "was about 14 years of age when he joined the Confederate army … It is said of him that owing to his youth the captain of the company would not permit him to do any fighting," but he sometimes disobeyed orders. "He did that at Gettysburg and shouldered a musket and fought as hard as anybody else. He was taken prisoner and sent to Fort Delaware where he was kept eighteen months. McDaniel died on February 16, 1901, at the age of 53, leaving behind a wife and two children. (The Lafayette Gazette, Lafayette, Louisiana, February 16, 1901, p. 1; Compiled service records, Fold3)

-Captain Charles P. Mattocks of Company A, 17th Maine recalled the fighting in the Wheatfield on July 2: "I had three men loading for me, and I blazed away at the Rebs." (The Journal of Charles Mattocks of the 17th Maine, ed. by Philip N. Racine, Knoxville, TN: The University of Tennessee Press, pp. 47-48) [Comment: Mattocks inverted the usual scenario of an officer assisting an enlisted man in firing. Upon examining his personal journal, his mindset in this instance is difficult to assess. He served honorably, being promoted to major and receiving a brevet colonelcy at the end of the war. It is hoped he did not take three able-bodied men off the line to satisfy a personal ambition.]

 

[mwalker6043]

71st PA Bernard McMahon- He was condemned to a death sentence for murdering Capt. McManus of the 69th PA while encamped in Virginia on May 27. His execution was postponed, and he was marched to Gettysburg, under guard following his own coffin. July 3 he somehow talked his way into the battle at the angle. He wanted the chance to die in battle rather than be shot by his own comrades. He was seen in the worst of the fight and witnessed working one of Cushing's remaining guns for an hour or more. He earned a reprieve from his death sentence.

 

[thomas aagaard]

Was an officer prohibited from having a rifle or only frowned upon. Was it etiquette that dictated they use a sidearm or regulations ?

A officer must have a "sword". (that he had to buy just like his other gear)
And his job is to help facilitate command and control of the unit. If he is firing a gun he is not doing his job.
Some officers, but not all had revolvers as a way top defend themselves if things went bad.

Muskets where issued to the enlisted men and there where none for the officers.

If we look at the musket period in general we do se company level officers inn light infantry units carrying muskets...
(common with British light infantry officers during the American revolution) one reason was to look more like the men, when commanding a skirmish line. In some rifle/jäger units we see the same.