Issuing ammunition

[Dave Wilma]

What was the routine for issuing ammunition to infantrymen? Naturally, on the even of battle, fresh cartridges would be handed out with caps, but what about the interminable periods in between? Would a soldier at any time be expected to produce dry ammo or was it all collected until approaching the enemy again? I would think that although caps might be safe for weeks and months I wonder how paper cartridges would fare.

 

[D.H. Hill]

To my knowledge they never collected the soldiers' ammunition. One was likely to wind up on the picket line or doing guard duty between battles and everyone else had to be prepared for unpleasant surprises. Ammunition will of course be eventually ruined by prolonged heavy rain, in which cases it would be replaced.

 

[Dave Wilma]

To my knowledge they never collected the soldiers' ammunition. One was likely to wind up on the picket line or doing guard duty between battles and everyone else had to be prepared for unpleasant surprises. Ammunition will of course be eventually ruined by prolonged heavy rain, in which cases it would be replaced.

The old U.S. Army did not have a practice that would have been carried into both the Confederate and Union armies?

 

[thomas aagaard]

From Kautz NCO
147. A well-instructed and disciplined infantryman is always prepared for duty. His hours of
leisure are devoted to preparation. His clothing is prepared and cleaned, his knapsack always
packed, his arms and accoutrements in order, and his ammunition secure.

170. Every article that is issued to the man has its use and importance. The articles should be
frequently overhauled, and kept in repair. The sabre should be kept sharp, the arms clean and in
order, the ammunition close and compact, to prevent rubbing, and secure against moisture...

Indicate that the men had ammunition issued most of the time.


But since the company had to account for their ammunition I do think the men sometimes handed it in or at least that is was counted.
But this is just me thinking... got no good source about it.

 

[Mr. King]

Pvt. Sam Watkins wrote that while Bragg was in command, if you were missing ammunition at inspection time, you had $0.25 deducted from your pay for each round.

 

[Dave Wilma]

Pvt. Sam Watkins wrote that while Bragg was in command, if you were missing ammunition at inspection time, you had $0.25 deducted from your pay for each round.

At least the Confederate soldier could pay with Confederate money.