Weapons by Regiment

[Legion]

I'm doing research on the 1st and 2nd Louisiana Brigades and I'm trying to figure out what types of weapons each regiment used throughout the war. How would I go about finding this out? I know soldiers picked up weapons throughout the war but I'm mostly interested in what they were issued with.

 

[huskerblitz]

I think the easiest way is to find written accounts by men who served in those brigades. Often times they mention the type of weapon they had, generally as a passing comment but still helpful.

 

[Blessmag]

Supplement to the Official Records often record the date they received what weapons.

So for example; 126th Ill. Inf

"June 22—Monday, June 22, replaced 570 Austrian rifled muskets, fourteen Belgian Springfield and Whitney and fourteen Enfield rifles, total 598, condemned for 600 new, long, Enfield rifles, caliber of the former fifty-four and of the latter fifty-eight".[1]


[1] (Hewett 670)

Hewett, Janet. Supplement to the Official Records of the Union and Confederate Armies. Wilmington, NC: Broadfoot Pub., 1994. Print.

 

[Legion]

Any good sights for civil war records?

 

[UCVRelics]

I'm doing research on the 1st and 2nd Louisiana Brigades.

Are you referring to the 1st & 2nd Infantry Regiments or Brigades as that would be the Louisiana Militia.

 

[Legion]

The 1st and 2nd Louisiana brigades consisting of the 1st, 2nd, 5th, 6th, 7th, 8th, 9th, 10th, 14th, 15th Louisiana infantry regiments and Coppens Battalion.

 

[UCVRelics]

I believe that when they were mustered into the CS Army the brigade designation went away, but anyway the ordnance records will be by Regiments. I will look and see what else I can locate. Here is one from the 1st La Inf that states they used rocks after ammo ran out.

 

[AUG]

I believe that when they were mustered into the CS Army the brigade designation went away, but anyway the ordnance records will be by Regiments. I will look and see what else I can locate. Here is one from the 1st La Inf that states they used rocks after ammo ran out.

He's talking about the two Louisiana brigades in the ANV.

The 1st Louisiana Brigade consisted of the 5th, 6th, 7th, and 9th Louisiana Infantry and Wheat's Tiger Battalion; it was first commanded by Richard Taylor in Jackson's Valley Campaign and later by Harry T. Hays. Wheat's Tigers were later disbanded after the Seven Days battles.

The 2nd Louisiana Brigade (aka the Pelican Brigade) consisted of the 1st, 2nd, 10th, 14th, and 15th Louisiana Infantry, and Coppens' 1st Battalion, Louisiana Zouaves. It was first commanded by William E. Starke and later Leroy A. Stafford.

Both brigades were later consolidated, I believe, in late 1863 or early '64 because they were so depleted in strength.

And I would highly recommend the book Lee's Tigers by Terry L. Jones if anyone here hasn't read it. It covers the history of both brigades. I'll check and see if it mentions what they were armed with.

 

[UCVRelics]

Thanks for the clarification. La had several different 1st & 2nd Brigades, State Militia etc.

 

[Legion]

I have both Lee's Tigers by Terry L. Jones and The Louisiana Tigers in the Gettysburg Campaign by Scott L. Mingus. Both are great reads and I highly recommend them. Though I still can't find much info on what weaponry they were issued.

 

[UCVRelics]

Legion, I really think the best way to answer the weapons questions is to look at the regimental ordnance records for ammunition. I will spot check a few unit records to see if they reveal any info.

 

[Legion Para]

Legion, I really think the best way to answer the weapons questions is to look at the regimental ordnance records for ammunition. I will spot check a few unit records to see if they reveal any info.

@ucvrelics.com is correct. The information you seek will be in the Ordnance reports and there is no quick way to search through them.

 

[Legion]

Where can I find these reports? Is there any sight that has free access to these reports?

 

[AUG]

In Wheat's 1st Louisiana Special Battalion (aka Louisiana Tigers), Company B "Tiger Rifles" and Company D "Catahoula Guerrillas" of the battalion were both armed with M1841 Mississippi Rifles, at least initially. The other companies of the battalion were issued M1842 and M1816 smoothbore muskets.

That's what Wheat's Tigers carried into battle at First Manassas, however that was before they became part of the 1st La. Brigade. When they were in the brigade during the Shenandoah Valley Campaign and the Seven Days they were likely also carrying a mix of different arms picked up off the field at Manassas and later at Front Royal, Winchester and Port Republic.

And that's according The 1st Louisiana Special Battalion by Gary Schreckengost. I've yet to find anything concerning the weaponry of the other units in either brigade, however.

 

[Legion Para]

Where can I find these reports? Is there any sight that has free access to these reports?

fold3.com and you will have to search for these reports.

 

[UCVRelics]

fold3.com and you will have to search for these reports.

Spot on. Legion Para, I am going thru a few of them now and as you know they have to be looked at 1 by 1 and are not searchable.

 

[Legion]

I used to have a subscription to fold3 but I don't have the money to renew it.

 

[UCVRelics]

I will see what I can find for you.

 

[Rio Bravo]

In Wheat's 1st Louisiana Special Battalion (aka Louisiana Tigers), Company B "Tiger Rifles" and Company D "Catahoula Guerrillas" of the battalion were both armed with M1841 Mississippi Rifles, at least initially. The other companies of the battalion were issued M1842 and M1816 smoothbore muskets.

That's what Wheat's Tigers carried into battle at First Manassas, however that was before they became part of the 1st La. Brigade. When they were in the brigade during the Shenandoah Valley Campaign and the Seven Days they were likely also carrying a mix of different arms picked up off the field at Manassas and later at Front Royal, Winchester and Port Republic.

And that's according The 1st Louisiana Special Battalion by Gary Schreckengost. I've yet to find anything concerning the weaponry of the other units in either brigade, however.

AUG - was it true that during 1st Manassas, a SC Regt. inadvertently directed friendly fire at Wheat's Tigers, who then took deliberate aim & returned fire ?

 

[Legion Para]

Here is an example of what you can find, but you will have to dig for this information.

Ordnance Stores issued to 34th Mississippi Infantry, June 23rd 1863

26 Cartridge Boxes
26 Cap Pouches
26 Waist Belts
26 Shoulder Straps
26 Bayonet Scabbards
60 Haversacks
40 Canteens and Straps
175 Whitworth Cartridges

Ordnance Stores turned over by the 34th Mississippi Infantry, July 10th 1863

2 Enfield Rifles, damaged
13 Muskets cal .69, damaged
2 Musket Bayonets, damaged
16 Cartridge Boxes, damaged
11 Cap Pouches, damaged
7 Bayonet Scabbards, damaged
5 Canteens, damaged
53 Cartridges cal .57 & .58, damaged
315 Cartridges cal .69, damaged