Spenser Carbine Question

[kmb080]

I have copies of my GGranfathers muster rolls. When he mustered out with the 13 Pa Cav in july 1865, he received his pay, bounty due etc however it also said, " General Orders no 8 due US Govt $8.00 1 Spenser Carbine" I wonder if he lost his weapon or Uncle Sam let the Troopers buy the weapon and take them home? Any thoughts?

 

[Bob Owen]

It appears to be a purchase for him to retain it.

 

[kmb080]

Thanks Bob. Yup that would make sense. Funny how the world goes 110 years after he mustered out, his ggrandson (me) had a job keeping 10 Minuteman ICBMs combat ready!

 

[redbob]

If I remember correctly a rifled musket went for $6.00, a carbine for $8.00 and a pistol for $10.00 with the troops being allowed to keep their haversacks and canteens.

 

[kmb080]

Thanks that is good info. Well, he must have been fond of his spencer. Eight bucks was a tidy sum for a private! But being 16 and just handed almost 200 bucks........why not? Lol

 

[ranger326]

I have copies of my GGranfathers muster rolls. When he mustered out with the 13 Pa Cav in july 1865, he received his pay, bounty due etc however it also said, " General Orders no 8 due US Govt $8.00 1 Spenser Carbine" I wonder if he lost his weapon or Uncle Sam let the Troopers buy the weapon and take them home? Any thoughts?

For what it's worth:

My GGF was in the 22nd PA and mustered out in October of 1865. I have no records of him upon his mustering out. Wish I did. I'd love to know what weapons he may have carried, although I do have his Ames 1865 saber. The only mention of firearms is written on a Company muster roll for May and June of 1865. It states: "Lost 1 musket & acctrint (hard to make out. I assume they mean 'accoutrements'.) Complete cost $21.37. Court martialed but never rec'd sentence. Cost of arrest $30.00"

He was listed on the rolls then as : "Present", so I assume he was court martialed for losing his weapon. He was mustered out "in good standing" so I guess he cleared up whatever trouble he was in.

Another mystery to me is that he was listed as having a "musket". A carbine, especially with the war over seems more likely for cavalry. Your information that your GGF had a Spencer from a PA Cav unit makes it seem more likely that my GGF's "musket" may really have been a carbine.

d

 

[unionblue]

Thanks Bob. Yup that would make sense. Funny how the world goes 110 years after he mustered out, his ggrandson (me) had a job keeping 10 Minuteman ICBMs combat ready!

kmb080,

In my Civil War presentations at various schools and such, I always used to hold up my repro 1861 Springfield musket and tell all of the students in the class that it was considered the 'Star Wars' weapon of it's day.

How interesting it must be that your ggrandad handled one of the most advanced weapons of his day and you oversaw the most advanced in your time with the Minuteman missiles.

Sincerely,
Unionblue

 

[kmb080]

Wow.thats a great story! If he lost his weapon in 64 i bet they would not be in too much of a hurry to go after him! Have you tried the national archives to get copies of his paperwork? Oh boy the saberman thats GREAT. I would love to have something like that from my ggf but alas.................-

 

[kmb080]

Thanks UB. Thanks for your service. My Dad was also a retired Army MSGT (1935-1956) you said better the point i was trying to make- in just a space of 100 years.....................