What weapons did these Regts use at Shiloh

[threepdr]

I'm helping to do some planning for the filming of the new Shiloh NPS movie. There may be scenes where specific units are portrayed. Does anyone have documentation on what these units may have been carrying at the time of Shiloh? I have found data for some, shown in parenthases. If there is conflicting accounts for those units, I would like to hear of that also. Thanks for any help you may be able to offer.

1st TN (Model 1855s and possibly converted muskets)
70th OH
53rd OH (Austrian Lorenz)
61st OH
9th Illinois
25th MO (Potsdam Muskets)
6th MS
13th LA
2nd TX

Thanks again
Mark Hubbs

[Don Dixon]

Re: What weapons did these Regts use at Shiloh

According to the Ohio Adjutant General, the 61st and 70th Ohio Infantry were initially issued Muster 1854 Austrian rifles ("Lorenz"). However, the 61st, which was issued ".54 caliber" Austrians, was not mustered into service until 23 April 1862 at Camp Chase, OH. It would be curious if it was at Shiloh under those circumstances.

Regards,
Don Dixon

[Curt Schmidt]

Re: What weapons did these Regts use at Shiloh

Hallo!

According the report from the Ohio Superintendant of the Arsenal as to what was issued in 1862:

53rd OVI: 888 Austrian rifle muskets, .54

61st OVI: 771 Austrian rifle muskets, .54

70th OVI: 264 Austrian rifle muskets, remainder of arms issued in the field

Curt

[Iceman]

Re: What weapons did these Regts use at Shiloh

For the 9th IL, get your hands on a copy of "Arming the Suckers", and whatever info is out there on the 9th and the weapons they carried, you'll find it in that book - along with all the other IL regiments.

[threepdr]

Re: What weapons did these Regts use at Shiloh

Don, good catch! That should have read 61st Illinois instead of 61st Ohio.
Mark

[Craig L Barry]

Re: What weapons did these Regts use at Shiloh

61st IL was Leander Stillwell's outfit (Story of a Common Soldier), he had the Lorenz.
1st TN was Sam Watkins outfit (Co H) most had P53s, the Williamson Grays had a mixture
of 55s and old US style muskets.

[Mississippian]

Re: What weapons did these Regts use at Shiloh

6th MS had two flank companies (A and B) armed with Enfields.

Will MacDonald

[Daniel]

Re: What weapons did these Regts use at Shiloh

I have a copy of "Arming the Suckers" In the abstract of Issues of the 9th IL. on April 27th, 1861 it shows 820 US altered muskets with bayonets. In a report for the 4th quarter of 1862 is shows 348 Enfield R.M. and 64 US RM 1855-1863. Too bad it does not show a report of the 1st quarter of 1862.

For the 61st IL for March 1862 - "We also drew our guns. We were furnished with the Austrian rifle musket."

Dan Stewart

[Dale Beasley]

Re: What weapons did these Regts use at Shiloh

Will,
have you found anything regarding Company G? Rockport Steel Blades? I have been looking and have found nothing. Except for the fact that a family member of mine, has a Enfield that was found on a family house place, who did in fact fight with Company G.

[Mississippian]

Re: What weapons did these Regts use at Shiloh

Dale,

Nothing pertaining exactly to Co. G, but while looking through the papers of Col. Thornton, I came across a mention in Oct of '61 for the regiment being armed with .69 cal muskets, and I seem to remember a mention for the need of ammo for Hall Rifles as well. Ordnance returns for May 1862 still show the bulk of ammo issued to the regiment being .69 call Buck and Ball. Here is the return for May 13th 1862, from the Papers of Lt. Col. Harper:

May 13th 1862 (For Regiment)

1000 Enfield Cartridges
1000 Minnie Cartridges
3000 B&B Cartridges cal .69
30 Percussion Muskets
80 Enfield Rifles

Will MacDonald