CS mounted infantry rifles

[kepi]

What kind of rifle would a Confederate mounted infantry regiment typically have used? I know the Enfield was a popular weapon, but wouldn't something like that be unwieldy for a mounted unit?

 

[AUG]

Early in the war it usually depended on the regiment or company. In some cases they were given whatever was on hand. The 2nd, 4th, 5th, and 7th Texas Mounted Rifles that served in the New Mexico Campaign went to war with a mix of civilian shotguns and hunting rifles. A number later equipped themselves with rifles picked up off the battlefield.

As the war progressed many mounted regiments were dismounted, either for lack of horses or need of infantry. Those fighting in major armies, such as the 1st and 2nd Arkansas Mounted Rifles in the AoT, were equipped with rifle muskets, same as any other infantrymen.

 

[Old Hickory]

I've only remember seeing one documented Confederate mounted infantry rifle, a Bridesburg M 1861 riflemusket. One alteration, (could have been post war) the trigger guard was turned backwards so the sling swivel faced rear.

 

[John Winn]

My memory is that actual mounted infantry (as opposed to cavalry fighting dismounted) were issued the same weapons as regular infantry as they weren't expected to fight on horseback but, rather, were just put on horses to get them where they were needed quicker. As usual, my memory for references is poor so I'd have to dig through my books to find one but I'm pretty sure that was the case.

 

[rhettbutler1865]

Early in the war it usually depended on the regiment or company. In some cases they were given whatever was on hand. The 2nd, 4th, 5th, and 7th Texas Mounted Rifles that served in the New Mexico Campaign went to war with a mix of civilian shotguns and hunting rifles. A number later equipped themselves with rifles picked up off the battlefield.

As the war progressed many mounted regiments were dismounted, either for lack of horses or need of infantry. Those fighting in major armies, such as the 1st and 2nd Arkansas Mounted Rifles in the AoT, were equipped with the same thing everyone else was.

Thanks...I was wondering about that myself awhile back.

 

[Poor Private]

I wish I could find it right now, but one of the most widely used weapon by the cav. early in the war was the shotgun, both single barreled and doubled.

 

[rhettbutler1865]

I wish I could find it right now, but one of the most widely used weapon by the cav. early in the war was the shotgun, both single barreled and doubled.

Yes, I remember that--and in "Ride with the Devil" last night, saw "Daniel Holt" using a shotgun...