An interesting CS Ordnance record: Grenada MS Dec 1862

[Mississippian1861]

After the Confederate retreat to Grenada MS during Grant's North MS Railroad Campaign, Gen. Pemberton attempted to resupply his command. As part of that, 1100 arms were sent to Grenada to the post Ordnance Officer, a Lt. Evans. He probably filled out this document just a few blocks from my parent's house. It's an interesting mix. Looks like P1851 & P1853 Enfields, and something you don't see very often in CS Ordnance Records "Belgian" and "German" .58 arms. Perhaps captured and reissued? It's known that a large number of repaired arms were sent to Mississippi in late 1862 for transport to the Trans-MS.

 

[7th Mississippi Infantry]

That is an interesting record.
I'm not sure about the Trans Mississippi part.

I have no doubt there are some members on this forum that can provided
insight into your questions.

I hope they see your post, because I'm curious myself.

 

[vmicraig]

Wonder his accurate the records are? gGeneric "German rifles" or "Belgian" arms….makes me think of how often arms were misidentified, similar to Austrian imports like Kammerbucshe's simply identified as Garibaldi's? If we could only dig into that stack of arms and see what was really in the mix. What a grab bag of possibilities!

 

[johan_steele]

So many of the men filling out this paperwork, on both sides, had little if any knowledge of firearms. Few months earlier they had been lawyers, clerks teachers etc who may have had no interest whatsoever on the subject. To them it was a pile of weapons that looked the same. Even the professional may not care if he was looking at Belgian or French, Austrian or German.

It's very difficult to look at paperwork from that long ago with no context and not be skeptical sometimes. At the very least mistakes happen, at the worst some fake it until they make it. Taking that into account has alleviated some of my cynicism over the years towards the competency of ACW officers. Unfortunately, then I remember one officer that I regularly questioned his ability to tie his own shoes.

 

[Mississippian1861]

So many of the men filling out this paperwork, on both sides, had little if any knowledge of firearms. Few months earlier they had been lawyers, clerks teachers etc who may have had no interest whatsoever on the subject. To them it was a pile of weapons that looked the same. Even the professional may not care if he was looking at Belgian or French, Austrian or German.

It's very difficult to look at paperwork from that long ago with no context and not be skeptical sometimes. At the very least mistakes happen, at the worst some fake it until they make it. Taking that into account has alleviated some of my cynicism over the years towards the competency of ACW officers. Unfortunately, then I remember one officer that I regularly questioned his ability to tie his own shoes.

Here is what I know about the two officers on the paperwork. Maj. Mayo was the chief ordnance officer for Pemberton's department. He was a VMI grad and came from a well known Norfolk family. Lt. Evans is a bit more of a mystery. He seems to have some early/prewar connection to the San Antonio Arsenal. Attached is a photo of Maj. Mayo.

 

[DixieRifles]

After the Confederate retreat to Grenada MS during Grant's North MS Railroad Campaign, Gen. Pemberton attempted to resupply his command. As part of that, 1100 arms were sent to Grenada to the post Ordnance Officer, a Lt. Evans. He probably filled out this document just a few blocks from my parent's house.

And where would that be?
In the town or out in the training camp or the defensive line along the Yalobusha River?
I am related to several families that lived from present day Geslin's Corner to Hardy Station: Martin, Prudie, Hill & Musselwhite.

 

[Mississippian1861]

And where would that be?
In the town or out in the training camp or the defensive line along the Yalobusha River?
I am related to several families that lived from present day Geslin's Corner to Hardy Station: Martin, Prudie, Hill & Musselwhite.

They live in town a few blocks from the square.