Florence Fleming

[Craig L Barry]

"Florence Fleming" was the name of the rifle belonging to Sam Watkins messmate W A Hughes in Company Aytch. Watkins says it was "the brightest gun in the whole army." After Hughes was mortally injured in July 1864, he asked that Watkins receive some personal effects along with the rifle Florence Fleming, which Sam Watkins carried until the surrender at Bentonville, NC in 1865. Watkins writes that the rifle had the name on the stock in silver letters. And not much else is said about it after that.

I was under the impression that Co H had been issued Enfields and Watkins speaks several times about "blazing away with his Enfield" and so on. Hence, I assumed Florence Fleming was a polished Enfield. I was told recently by someone whom I consider knowledgeable that it was a US Model rifle-musket or CS Richmond, and further that it was part of the SPAR (Springfield Armory) collection! I can't find anything on this piece in the SPAR archives. Anybody have a clue here about this? Or what sort of rifle Florence Fleming might have been, besides a bright one?

[ndnchf]

Re: Florence Fleming

Craig,

Check this post:
http://http://www.authentic-campaign...ad.php?t=24569

In this post a fellow mentions sending an e-mail question to Sam Watkin's great grandaughter. Maybe she can help?

Steve Blancard
13Th Va. Co. A

[Craig L Barry]

Re: Florence Fleming

UPDATE:
I heard from a fellow on here via PM who had more information than I have been able to find. In the Ordnance Returns for the 1st TN, the records show a mixture of Springfields and Enfields in the ranks. One thing I was told (from an extremely reliable source) was that "Florence Fleming" was either a captured US Springfield or a CS Richmond, so the returns suggest that there is a possibility this arm was not an Enfield as most readers of Co Aytch probably assumed it was (I did). "1st and 2nd quarter of 1864 Col. Feild's Ordnance repot shows the 1st, & 27th. Tenn. armed with 74 Enfields, and 174 .58 Cal. Rifled Muskets. This return is dated June 30th, 1864 from Marietta, Ga. In a report of ordnance issued to Col. Feild's Regt. at Dalton, Ga, April 20th, 1864 by Alex Allison acting Ordnance Officer Maney's Brigd. lists 20 Springfield Rifles Cal. 58. being issued to the 1st. & 27th. Tenn." The above info. comes from Col. Feild's, and Alex Allison's service records.

In fact the whole subject came up as a result of an article written about "bright" Enfields, and Watkins description of "FF" was cited as an example. I had also heard that the name "Florence Fleming" was put into the stock with nails or tacks, (Watkins says silver letters) and that it was in the SPAR (Springfield Armory) collection. No luck finding anything on it so far in the SPAR archives. There is a CS Richmond in the SPAR collection with the name "Kate" on the stock flat in boot nails, but no "Florence Fleming."

This may be as close to solving the mystery of this piece of minutiae as is currently possible.

[Craig L Barry]

Re: Florence Fleming

Probably nobody is interested but me, but I inquired with the ranger at SPAR (Springfield Armory) in charge of the collection, and all he could tell me about "Florence Fleming" is that he wishes SPAR had in the collection, but no such luck. And also that it was his understanding that is was a US Model rifle-musket, not an Enfield. Well, golly-gee damn. A dead end.

[robert-m]

Re: Florence Fleming

To my knowledge he could have been issued a none blued Enfield. A well polished Enfield looks very good under the suns rays. And could have been the Fleming. IMHO. The records of many QM were off. There is no doubt in my mind that they could have been issued a large array of firearms. I have to go with the idea that no one will truly ever know what Florance was.