Forrest Forrest's Cavalry Corps 1864 - Organization & Equipment

One of the Records regarding Ferguson`s Cavalry Brigade indicated that they were dismounted men from his brigade (56th Alabama Partisan Rangers), if I remember correctly some time between June - September 1863, to be sent to Buckner Battery for artillery service until they could be remounted. I believe they were to use horses in Chalmers brigade until that occurred, but only for as long as they stayed under Chalmers Organization (Buckner Battery). I will try and find it for you.
I don't know why I'm replying to this old comment but I would like to present one additional bit of info.

Documents in Lt. Holt's service records contain invoices for forage for 28 horses. So he did have some of his mounted. However, I would argue that ALL of his battery was mounted. Why?
Buckner Battery was described as containing four 1.56 inch Williams Guns and one 2.9 inch Rifle. The Williams Gun required only 3 men to operate and was small enough to hauled behind one horse. It can easily be shown that 28 men would be sufficient for a battery with artillery pieces this small, including additional men to haul ammo in a caisson or a wagon.

Conclusion is the men of the 56 Alabama Partisan Rangers were loaned to Chalmers command and remained mounted. There is an OR dated December 1863, where General Chalmers is ordered to return all the men to Ferguson's command.
 
While the Confederates may have imported a few Muster 1854 Jägerstutzen, it is most unlikely that any of Forrest's troops were equipped with them. The most likely issue were Muster 1854, Type I, rifle muskets, since those were the most common Austrian rifle muskets imported by the Confederacy.

Regards,
Don Dixon
Thanks for the reply...

The reason I ask is that I've found a few references about "Austrian rifles" associated with Forrest in the Official Records-

Col. R.V. Richardson (head of a Partisan Ranger unit and sometimes associated with Forrest's command):
"...I have issued 517 short Enfield and Austrian rifles in all to my Tennessee troops, and accouterments."

Gen. N.B. Forrest:
[to Gen. S.D. Lee:] "...all my men armed with Austrian rifles were out of ammunition, having had the misfortune to lose my Austrian ammunition by the upsetting of a wagon at Forked Deer River."

[to Gen. S.D. Lee:] "Have just learned that General Clark, or Governor Clark, has some ammunition, caliber .54. Cannot some of it--say 50,000 rounds--be sent up on hand-cars to Artesia? I can get along with that amount, having plenty for all other arms except the Austrian rifles and Sharps rifles..."

Gen. S.D. Lee:
[to Gen. Polk:] "I need...ammunition for short Enfield, Austrian, and Sharps rifles."
 
Gen. N.B. Forrest:
[to Gen. S.D. Lee:] "...all my men armed with Austrian rifles were out of ammunition, having had the misfortune to lose my Austrian ammunition by the upsetting of a wagon at Forked Deer River."
Do you have the date for this OR??


Col. R.V. Richardson (head of a Partisan Ranger unit and sometimes associated with Forrest's command)
Colonel Robert Vinkler Richardson recruited the 12th Tennessee Cavalry. But they were first known as the 1st Tennessee Partisan Rangers. I'm trying to recall when he served under Forrest. He had been promoted to General in February 1864 but officers in his command brought some charges which was cleared but he lost his promotion and was relieved of command.
 
After the Battle of Chickamauga, Gen Nathan Bedford Forrest was infuriated with Gen Braxton Bragg over his treatment/assignments. Forrest traveled to Bragg’s headquarters at Missionary Ridge and told Bragg just what he thought of that vacillating, indecisive officer after Bragg had twice “tampered with” Forrest’s cavalry command. The confrontation occurred at Bragg’s headquarters on Missionary Ridge during the ridiculous Confederate siege of Chattanooga. Forrest said: “I have stood your meanness as long as I intend to. You have played the part of a ****ed scoundrel, and are a coward, and if you were any part of a man, I would slap your jaws and force you to resent it…. If you ever again try to interfere with me or cross my path, it will be at the peril of your life.”

Forrest left and Bragg never made an issue of the incident. Forrest requested a transfer, with an appeal to President Jefferson Davis, and to take his escort, the 2nd Kentucky Cav, and the 3rd Tenn Cav (McDonald's) with a battery of guns. This was approved by President Davis. However, he was given his escort, the 3rd Tenn Cav (McDonald's), Forrest's Al Regiment, and Morton's battery. On Nov 7th in Atlanta, Forrest wrote he was going to allow Forrest's Al Regiment to remain with Bragg. Forrest mistakenly thought Col Jeffery Forrest had been killed and the unit would be unwilling to transfer. On the same day, General S D Lee told Forrest that Col Forrest had been wounded and paroled. S D Lee assigned Forrest's Al Regiment, Richardson's West Tenn Brigade, and Greer's Regiment to Forrest.

Forrest made a raid/recruiting drive into Tennesse in December and brought back an additional 2,500 troops for his command. Gen S D Lee transferring additional troops to Forrest’s command which resulted in this organization:

Forrest’s Cavalry Department Staff – effective January 24, 1864 at Como, MS

Maj J P Strange, assistant adjutant general

Capt C W Anderson, aide de camp

Lieut W M Forrest, aide de camp

Dr J B Cowan, chief surgeon

Maj C S Severson, chief quartermaster

Maj G V Rambaut, chief of subsistence

Lieut T S Tate, jr, assistant inspector general

Capt George Dashiell, chief paymaster

Capt J P Russell, chief of ordnance



Forrest’s Cavalry Department organization of command – effective January 25, 1864, at Como, MS

***Note – troop designations are as Maj J P Strange listed in General Order #3

First Brigade Brig Gen R V Richardson

12th Tenn Cav Regiment

Marshall’s Regiment

Bennet’s Battalion

15th Tenn Regiment

Street’s Battalion

Collin’s Command

14th Tenn Regiment

16th Tenn Regiment



2nd Brigade Col Robert McCulloch

2nd Mo Regiment

Willis’ Texas Battalion

Faulkner’s Kentucky Regiment

Chalmer’s Battalion

Kizer’s Battalion

2nd Ark Cavalry

Franklin’s Battalion



3rd Brigade Col T H Bell

Russell’s Regiment

Greer’s Regiment

Newsom’s Regiment

Barteau’s Regiment

Wison’s Regiment



4th Brigade Col J E Forrest

Forrest’s Regiment

Duckworth’s Regiment

5th Miss Regiment

McGuirk’s Regiment

Duff’s Battalion



The 2nd and 4th Brigades will be organized into a division to be known and designated as the First Division, Forrest’s Cavalry Department, under the command of Brig Gen J R Chalmers.

*Artillery was not listed at this time, but we have other sources that provide that data
I hope that you do not have a problem with my asking a question at this late date.....
At this point of the War, how was Forrest able to bring in 2,500 men from his raid in Tennessee? I can assume that there were parolees from various battles that never returned to their unit of previous service, but 2,500? Would they have been mounted and somewhat equipped?

Thanks.

FPT
 
I hope that you do not have a problem with my asking a question at this late date.....
At this point of the War, how was Forrest able to bring in 2,500 men from his raid in Tennessee? I can assume that there were parolees from various battles that never returned to their unit of previous service, but 2,500? Would they have been mounted and somewhat equipped?
I guess this thread has been "revived".

This was sometimes called Forrest's West Tennessee "Cattle Raid". I created a post about this raid.
See : Forrest's 2nd West Tennessee Raid - "Cattle Raid"

Basically, there were some units already running loose around Union-occupied West Tennessee. Some had completed their 1-year service but many were discovered to have left their Infantry units for more exciting service with the cavalry. Some were conscripted. Many were dismounted.
Forrest had sent Col. Tyree Bell into West Tenn to recruit men. Then on 4 Dec 1863, Forrest crossed the M&C RR, which basically represented the line of occupied Union area, with a few hundred men. While General Chalmers created a diversion at Moscow, Forrest crossed at Saulsbury. He met up with Bell and gathered the recruits and 3,000 head of hogs and cattle and returned back to Mississippi by crossing one of the last bridges over the Wolf River at Lafayette Station(now Rossville---10 miles from my home).

So check out that above link. If you have Q's, I'm not sure if you should post here or on that thread, as that is an old thread and may have a few errors.
 
I guess this thread has been "revived".

This was sometimes called Forrest's West Tennessee "Cattle Raid". I created a post about this raid.
See : Forrest's 2nd West Tennessee Raid - "Cattle Raid"

Basically, there were some units already running loose around Union-occupied West Tennessee. Some had completed their 1-year service but many were discovered to have left their Infantry units for more exciting service with the cavalry. Some were conscripted. Many were dismounted.
Forrest had sent Col. Tyree Bell into West Tenn to recruit men. Then on 4 Dec 1863, Forrest crossed the M&C RR, which basically represented the line of occupied Union area, with a few hundred men. While General Chalmers created a diversion at Moscow, Forrest crossed at Saulsbury. He met up with Bell and gathered the recruits and 3,000 head of hogs and cattle and returned back to Mississippi by crossing one of the last bridges over the Wolf River at Lafayette Station(now Rossville---10 miles from my home).

So check out that above link. If you have Q's, I'm not sure if you should post here or on that thread, as that is an old thread and may have a few errors.
Thank you for the information.

Regards.

FPT
 
Dec 29, 1863
Thanks. I wasn't sure if that might have been Forrest's move on Fort Pillow in April 1864 or not.
It is part of Forrest's West Tennessee Raid (aka "Cattle Raid") of December 1863.

That OR summarizes the return across the Wolf River at LaFayette Station(Rossville). Prior to reaching it, they had to cross some icy cold rivers.

I moved my forces to Estenaula, on the Hatchie, crossing it by the night of 25th. Met a cavalry regiment and routed them. Fought the enemy again on the 26th,at Somerville, killing and wounding 8 or 10 and capturing about 35 prisoners. I then moved a part of my force, under Colonel Faulkner, to Raleigh, and with the balance moved square to the left to La Fayette Bridge, Wolf River.

On the morning of the 27th,my advance reached the bridge and attacked the bridge guard; drove them back and put to flight the force at La Fayette Station, killing several and capturing 4 or 5 prisoners. Cavalry advanced on me from Collierville, which we met and drove back. The enemy also sent re-enforcements by trains from Moscow, which we held in check until all wagon train was safely across the river and on the road in the rear of my advance on Collierville. We closed the fight at Collierville about 8 o'clock at night, driving the enemy into their fortifications.
....
Another difficulty in matter was that all my men armed with Austrian rifles were out of ammunition, having had the misfortune to lose my
Austrian ammunition by the upsetting of a wagon at Forked Deer River.

Col. Tyree Bell describes taking a spill while crossing the Hatchie River.
Excerpt from Tyree Bell's biography.

Bell walked back onto the small ferryboat to return to the West bank. The boat, however, was "so frail and unsteady" that it had not gone more than 30 yards into the Hatchie River before it capsized. "Wagons, teams, and a lot of soldiers were in the end of the boat where I was," Bell recalled, "and everything was big excitement." A couple of small mules banged into him and knock him down. . . . . Bell managed to free himself from the struggling animals. Believing "it would overtax my strength to try to swim across the river," he tried floating and swimming downstream, aiming for a bend where he could see some shrubs sticking out fo the water. "Finally I got to where I could touch bottom with my feet."

Maybe that wagon he mentions was carrying the Austrian ammo that they lost.
 
This is a Feb issue to Forrest's Al Cav Regiment. I conclude the unit is equipped with Austrian rifles and Sharps. Note the issue of 149 French 12mm Lefaucheaux revolvers and French accouterments. In January of 1864, 30 cases of Lefaucheaux civilian double action revolvers with ammunition and accouterments made it through Mobile and were moved to Meridian to be distributed to S D Lee's command.

View attachment 301327
Thank you for the research, contribution and posting of this thread. It is interesting and educational. So cool. Sad to hear about Col. Forrest. Thank you for all your hard work.
 
I realize these ordnance reports are dry, but they give us a better idea of how the soldier was equipped in an app. 6 month window compared to what the soldiers reminisced in the Confederate Veteran some 50 years later. Said to say, but I'm an old soldier and I know how some details can slip over time.

Dry, these posts are fantastic!
 
The 22nd Tenn Cav's 1st quarter ordnance report for 1864, likely drafted in February. I noted the regiment still had 20 sabers and there are only 77 revolvers (with no ammunition for the 3 French). A wide variety of arms are seen, but when we move to our next time period you will see orders to Forrest to better group weapon types by regiment.

Ordnance stores on hand 1st Qtr 1864

68 Rifles cal .58
104 Rifles cal .54
44 Rifle cal .52
11 Burnside Rifles
6 Smiths Rifles
4 Maynard Rifles
20 Pistols cal .44
54 Pistols cal . 32
3 French Pistols
20 Sabers
206 Cartridge Boxes
250 Cap Boxes
160 Gun Slings
56 Haversacks
97 Canteens and Straps
76 Shoulder Straps
196 Waist Belts
46 pr Spurs
8 Bullet Molds
8 Screw Drivers
215 Saddles
51 Saddle Blankets
200 Bridles
189 Halters
7 Breast Straps
76 Cruppers
48 Curry Combs
0 Gun Boots
5440 Cartridges cal .58
6350 Cartridges cal .54
885 Cartridges cal .52
385 Burnside Rifle Cartridges
170 Smith's Rifle Cartridges
620 Maynard Rifle Cartridges
0 Buck and Ball Cartridges
520 Pistol Cartridges cal .44
770 Pistol Cartridges cal .33
0 French Pistol Cartridges
Big Sarge, Do you have any more of these for 1st & 2d Quarter 1864? These are fantastic. I didn't know the Confederates prepared these.
 
Curious if anyone knows what kind of hat Forrest wore? Similar to Mosby? Doesn't strike me as a JEB Stuart type. And his uniform? Doesn't seem like he would be riding around in gold trimmed frock coat...

Also had anyone read

The Battles and Campaigns of Confederate General Nathan Bedford Forrest, 1861-1865?

thx! Apologies if I posted in wrong thread.
 
Curious if anyone knows what kind of hat Forrest wore? Similar to Mosby? Doesn't strike me as a JEB Stuart type. And his uniform? Doesn't seem like he would be riding around in gold trimmed frock coat...

Also had anyone read

The Battles and Campaigns of Confederate General Nathan Bedford Forrest, 1861-1865?

thx! Apologies if I posted in wrong thread.

According to photographs, Forrest was always well dressed.
Civilian suits and military uniforms.


And while I've never seen a photo of the man in head gear, I'm willing to bet two things:

Number one, whatever his cover, it was practical. ( big azz floppy hat ) ?
Number two, there was NEVER any kind of feather involved.

Just my thoughts.

:smoke:
 
Curious if anyone knows what kind of hat Forrest wore? Similar to Mosby? Doesn't strike me as a JEB Stuart type. And his uniform? Doesn't seem like he would be riding around in gold trimmed frock coat...

Also had anyone read

The Battles and Campaigns of Confederate General Nathan Bedford Forrest, 1861-1865?

thx! Apologies if I posted in wrong thread.
If you would post this in a separate thread in the Forrest forum you will get a lot more eyes on your post.
https://civilwartalk.com/forums/nathan-b-forrest.176/
 
I stepped away from this thread because I received messages stating I was dominating the thread and causing friction. Anyway, if someone else wanted to take over, I will gladly share my records.
 
I for one would love to see you re-engage on this thread and carry it on into at least mid-1864 and hopefully into the third quarter and beyond. After all, you started the thread and set its agenda (Organization and Equipment of Forrest's Cavalry Corps/Department in 1864), have some fantastic information not readily available elsewhere, and so far the thread hasn't gotten out of the first quarter. I would love to see what additional information you and others have about the arms, strengths, organization and equipment of Forrest's command in the second, third and fourth quarters of 1864.
 
I for one would love to see you re-engage on this thread and carry it on into at least mid-1864 and hopefully into the third quarter and beyond. After all, you started the thread and set its agenda (Organization and Equipment of Forrest's Cavalry Corps/Department in 1864), have some fantastic information not readily available elsewhere, and so far the thread hasn't gotten out of the first quarter. I would love to see what additional information you and others have about the arms, strengths, organization and equipment of Forrest's command in the second, third and fourth quarters of 1864.
I agree 100 % !

I stepped away from this thread because I received messages stating I was dominating the thread and causing friction. Anyway, if someone else wanted to take over, I will gladly share my records.
Whoever sent those messages were not speaking for all of us !
Never once did I get the impression you were dominating anything.

Please continue to share your records with all of the forum.

This is a fascinating topic !

I've always assumed by 1864 most of Forrest's equipment was captured Union materiel.

I do remember his very strong order for all captured Union uniforms to be at least dyed black instead of United States blue.

Cavalryman Bedford Forrest outfitted his command several times at the expense of the Federal government. “Every man had a complete Yankee Suit consisting of hats, coats, pants, jackets, and boots,” a Mississippian recollected. This posed an inherent problem which in 1864 caused Forrest to direct: “All men and officers belonging to this command who have blue Yankee overcoats and clothing and who do not have them dyed by [December] 20th the coats especially will be taken from them.”

 
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I stepped away from this thread because I received messages stating I was dominating the thread and causing friction. Anyway, if someone else wanted to take over, I will gladly share my records.
Whatttt???!!!

I would like to hear more especially how those Rebel Cavalry bayoneted all those USCT prisoners.
 
Found this recently (in reference to posts 79 and 82)-

"Not all the Austrian rifles purchased by Huse were of the long infantry type. At least 30,000 were probably shorter weapons that could be carried by horsemen in leather scabbards. Two different models of Austrian short rifles are known to have been used in the South during the war; neither was a true carbine. One of these, called the Yaeger rifle, had a heavy octagonal barrel turned down at the very end to take a sword bayonet. The other was a lighter short rifle that also took a bayonet, but of the more usual type."
-from "Imported Confederate Shoulder Weapons" by Jac Weller in Civil War History (June 1959), p.178
 
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