Liberty Arsenal, Missouri-- what was captured--

[csuniforms]

Hello, Had to share this but forgive me in my excitement I did not write down the paper this item was shown. For years the Missouri CW community had little idea what was captured at the Liberty Arsenal in April of 1861, by pro-secession forces, (Jeff Thompson was in on this). The gunpowder was scattered all over Missouri in caches. The following is from a pile of letters and documents captured after the Battle of Booneville, Missouri.


The State troops.
Capt COOK reached here this morning, in disguise.
He says not one half his force was armed, and over
two hundred participated In the fight. He hastened
farward, to overtake and consult with, Capt. TOTTEN...
GOV. JACKSON'S party went west from here
Wendesday night by railroad, taking with all the rolling
stock they could, and destroyed the rest, and burnt
the bridge, a costly structure, six miles west of
here.
Syracuse Is now protected by Federal troops.
Among several letters captured In Booneville by
Gen. LYON, was one embracing orders from headquarters!!
to destroy the bridges on the North Missouri river
, Hannibal and St. Joseph,and Pacific Railroads. {Plus}
instructions to different officers anl Individuals
respecting the organization of troops, &c., &c.; one
enumerating the arms and ammunitions seized at
Liberty Arsenal some time Since. The last as follows
: 8 brass and 12 Iron cannon ; ; 300 rounds
cannister; 300 [sic] rounds ball ; 53 strap shot; 380 fixed rounds;
160 muskets, [ Belgian conversions?] 224 rifles, [Mississippi's?] 121 carbines [believed to be Sharps, model 1859] , 811 pistols, 409
sabres, 39 artillery swords, 4,000 pounds cannonpowder,
9.000 pounds musket powder, 4,800 pounds
rifle-powder. 180,000 musket cartridges, 17,500 rifle do., 58,000 pistol do.

OK who has the rest of the these captured documents on the MSG! Fess up

CSuniforms
Tom Arliskas

[Milliron]

Re: Liberty Arsenal, Missouri-- what was captured--

Pretty good score!

[ScottCross]

Re: Liberty Arsenal, Missouri-- what was captured--

Great stuff Tom! You never cease to amaze me! Where on earth did you find this?

[Eric Burke]

Re: Liberty Arsenal, Missouri-- what was captured--

Very interested to hear where you found this new information. I'd be willing to put forth some effort to help find the rest of the documents, but I have to temper things with a fact of which I'm sure you're already aware. I'm not sure that any of the reports were spot-on, even if they were enumerated on the ground itself. But it seems the further away from the conflict we go, the more disparate the numbers get. Take for example the following:

p.36 of History of Missouri, by Violette, Eugene Morrow, Published by D. C. Heath & Co, 1918:

"Within the four massive buildings that were inclosed by this wall there were stored, according to one authority, 60,000 stands of arms, mostly Enfield and Springfield rifles, 1,500,000 cartridges, and 90,000 pounds of powder, besides other munitions of various kinds."

"According to another authority the only arms in the arsenal at the time were 30,000 percussion cap muskets, 1000 rifles, a few unfit cannon, and a few hundred flintlock muskets."

p.45 of Encyclopedia of the History of Missouri, Vol. IV, Ed. Conard, Howard L., Published by The Southern History Company, 1901:

"The property taken comprised three brass field pieces, mounted; 12 six-pounder and one three-pounder iron guns, not mounted; caissons, artillery equipments and ammunition; 1,180 muskets, 243 rifles, 121 carbines, 923 pistols, 419 sabres and other small arms; 12,700 pounds of powder for cannon, muskets and rifles; 400,000 small arm cartridges, and accoutrements and equipments for cavalry and infantry."

Granted, because these are both turn-of-the-century histories, their documentation is spotty at best. I'd say if you've got access to actual documents you might be on to something much bigger. Still though, we have to tread lightly of course.

Anxious to hear more!

[John Pellarin]

Re: Liberty Arsenal, Missouri-- what was captured--

To All,

Back in the mid to late 1980s the Missouri Civil War Reenactors Assoc. newsletter had a transcription of the report made by the keeper of the Liberty Arsenal to what was captured in the way of ordance. It is very detailed. I recently found my copy. But I am at work and cannot lay my hands on it!

John Pellarin

[csuniforms]

Re: Liberty Arsenal, Missouri-- what was captured--

Here are some more notes-- these are from the OR's


CHAPTER VIII.
OPERATIONS IN ARKANSAS, THE INDIAN TERRITORY, AND MISSOURI.
February 7-May 9, 1861.
(Secession)
No. 5.
Report of Nathaniel Grant of the seizure of U. S. Arsenal at Liberty, Mo.
MISSOURI DEPOT, Sunday, April 21, 1861.

SIR: I embrace the first opportunity to inform you that the depot was taken yesterday about 10 o’clock by a body of armed men from this and the adjacent counties. While I am writing the depot yard and grounds are filled with Men, who are rapidly removing the ordnance and ordnance stores from the post. Having no means of resistance, my protest against the forcible and unlawful seizure of the public property was of no avail, and I was informed that all the military stores would be taken.
I send this to Saint Louis by boat to be mailed, and so soon as it can be done a detailed report of all the facts, so far as they can be ascertained will be forwarded.
Very respectfully, I am, sir, your obedient servant,
NATHANIEL GRANT,
In charge of Depot.
Col. H. K. CRAIG,
Chief of Ordnance, Washington City.

–––
No. 6.
Report of Benjamin Farrar of the seizure of U. S. Arsenal at Liberty, Mo.
EAST SAINT LOUIS, MO.,
April 21, 1861.
HOD. SIMON CAMERON, Secretary of War:

Liberty Arsenal, in Missouri, was taken possession of by secessionists yesterday, and 1,500 arms and a few cannon distributed to citizens of {p.650} Clay County. The Missouri River is blockaded at Independence. All quiet here at present.
BENJAMIN FARRAR.


April 21, 1861 The Liberty Arsenal was raided about 10am. At this time in his military service. Henry Routt's rank was Captain, not Colonel.

A company at Liberty called the “Mounted Rangers” contemporaneously with the “Home Guards.” Its members were “Southern Rights” men. H. L. Routt, like Moss, a Mexican War Veteran, was Captain and L.S. Talbott, George W. Morris, and S. W. Gillespie the Lieutenants. The men were armed with the arsenal arms.
P. 201 History of Clay County, 1885
The South desperately needed weapons, and a second raid on the Liberty Arsenal was the solution to the problem. Because of the 1855 attack, the government was now hostile to the Southerners, making this raid even more dangerous. Routt accepted the task, despite the potential of obtaining a rope around his neck for defying authorities.
He and his men swiftly put their plans into action.
On the morning of the attack, April 20, 1861, Maj. Nathaniel Grant, a Union man, was guarding the Liberty Arsenal. While Grant was eating his breakfast, a young slave boy hurried into the building and handed Grant a note sent by a Union sympathizer living near Liberty Landing that brought both chaos and excitement.
The note read: “A company of men from across the river camped last night in the bottoms. I understand that another company is at or near Liberty and that the destination of both is the Arsenal. If you want to make a speech, get it ready.”
According to Grant, “the force that captured the arsenal was about 200 secessionists, composed of one company from Jackson County commanded by Capt. McMurray of Independence and a strong company from Liberty and Clay County under Routt, with the whole group under the command of Col. Routt.”
With only two other assistants guarding the arsenal, Grant was outnumbered. He hurriedly attempted to develop a speech of “vigorous protest.” However, it received only smiles from the colonel’s devotees who knew that they were about to loot the arsenal.
Grant’s eloquent attempt to change their minds on the raid was futile. Immediately following the speech, Routt and his men seized the arsenal and placed Grant and his assistants under guard. Within a week, the place was completely looted.
It was a great haul this time, and Routt did not intend to return the stolen items.
The captured booty included many weapons of destruction: 1,180 muskets; 243 rifles; 121 carbines; 923 pistols; 419 sabers; 29 artillery swords; three six-pounder brass cannons, each weighing 882 pounds; 12 six-pounder iron guns; one three-pounder iron gun; five caissons; two battery wagons; two forges; thousands of rounds of ammunition for all types of arms; and other artillery equipment. Thompson, along with Routt and his men, took the ammunitions into Liberty and hid them in barns, haystacks, cellars and in Routt’s ice-house at his home near present-day William Jewell College. The ammunitions were also divided among Southern sympathizers from neighboring Smithville, St. Joseph, Independence and Jackson County.
According to the late historian Vera Eldridge, “most of it was used against the government, and a large amount found its way to the bushwhackers.”

http://www.kccommunitynews.com/kearney-courier-community-living/27612625/detail.html

From the Kearney Courier page by a Cordelia Robinson

I do not know where Cordelia got her info.-- but it might be the papers you are refering to.

CSuniforms
Tom Arliskas

[John Pellarin]

Re: Liberty Arsenal, Missouri-- what was captured--

The believe the report I am refering to is Grant's inventory of the arms taken from the arsenal. I will try to post the information when I get back home.

John Pellarin

[John Pellarin]

Re: Liberty Arsenal, Missouri-- what was captured--

The following is transcribed from the newsletter of the Missouri Civil War Reenactors Assoc. from April, 1986, listing the articles taken from the Liberty Depot in 1861.

NOTICE: There were no references or citations given in this article. I am inclined to believe that this might have been taken from a period written document because of several small discrepancies that might have occurred during the transcription, such as Col. King vs. Col. Craig as Chief of Ordnance and 3 Six Pound guns vs. 8 Six Pound guns as appears in Tom’s research. Or it could just be a poor transcription of a printed document. Or it may be a spot on transcription. Where is this document? Who knows! When I saw this, I grabbed a copy. I have not seen this since. Good reading, it is great document.


Missouri Depot
May 3, 1861

Colonel H. K. King
Chief of Ordnance
Washington City

Sir,

I transmit, herewith, an abstract of the articles forcibly seized by citizens of Missouri and removed from the Depot, as ascertained by taking an inventory of the property remaining in my charge since the evacuation of the Post by the mob. The property remaining consists chiefly of parts of arms and materials for making repairs and tools in store and in current service.

Very Respectfully,
I am, Sir,
Your obediant servant
Nathaniel Grant
In charge of Depot

Abstract of Ordnance and Ordnance Stores forcibly seized by armed citizens of Missouri and removed from the U.S. Missouri Depot from the 20th to the 27th of April 1861 inclusive.

# or Quantity Articles

3 6 Prd Brass Guns 882 lbs ea.
12 " Iron "
1 3 Prd " "
3 6 Prd field Gun Carriages
P1840 stock trail
1 12 Prd Howitzer Cassion
4 6 " Cassions
2 Battery wagons
1 Travelling forge
4 sponge buckets
4 Linstocks
6 Portfire stocks
4 Portfire cases
2 " cutters
4 Primming horns
9 " wires
5 Thumb stalls
4 Gunners Gimlets
4 Fuse saws
3 “ augers
4 “ setters, wood
3 “ rasps
4 “ mallets
4 Shell plug screws
8 Tangent scales
1 Gunners calipers
22 “ hooks
1 Tube punch
48 6 Pdr sponges, woolen
1 6 Pdr tompion
166 6 Pdr cannon balls
360 “ canister shot, loose
380 “ strapped shot, fixed
180 Muskets, complete, perc.
13 Musketoons, cavalry
7 “ artillery
224 Rifles, perc.
19 “ “ long range
121 Rifle carbines
112 Pistol, perc. Brass mounting
811 “ altered to perc.
1 Rifle wall piece
180 Cavalry sabers
P1840 scabbard bright
239 Cavalry sabers
P1840 scabbard brown
39 Artillery swords, foot
180 Musk. Cartridge boxes
74 “ “ “ belts W.B.
67 “ Gun slings
1275 Musk. Wipers
1480 “ screwdrivers O.P.
60 “ spring vices
67 “ ball screws
166 “ cartridge box plates
410 “ bayt. Belt plates
140 “ cart. Box belt plates
400 “ waist belt plates
5 Musketoon ball screw
35 Carbine slings W.B.
78 “ swivels
36 “ screwdrives compound
18 “ ball mould, R.C.
1 Rifle wall piece ball mould
1 Rifle wall piece cone wench
1 Rifle wall piece patch cutter
1 Rifle wall piece ball nipper
211 Holsters
102 Pistol wipers
61 “ screwdrivers
25 “ springvices
76 “ ball screws
41 “ ball moulds R.C.
16 Screwdrivers, Colts
11 Flasks
6 Cavalry cart. Boxes
200 Cavalry saber belts B.B.
230 “ “ “ “ 2 hand
13 Cavalry saber belts B.S. 2 hand
33 Cavalry saber belts W.B.
475 “ “ “ plates N.B.
91 Cavalry saber belts plates O.P.
1000 pounds cannon powder
9900 “ musket “
4800 “ rifle “
180000 Musket buck and ball cart. Flint
9000 Musketoon buck and ball cart. Perc. M.C.
17650 Rifle ball cart. Flint
5000 Pistol “ “ perc.
53000 Pistol ball cart. Flint
300 “ “ “ Colts dragoon pistol
10000 Carbine blank
138 Portfires
80 Yards slow match
1 6 Pdr gun carriage stock ironed
4 6 Prd spare wheels
1 “ pole yoke
2 “ axeltrees
7 “ trail hand spikes
2 “ elevating screws male
3 Keys for amn. Boxes
10 Musket ramrods
6 Boxes for tools
1 Tripod stand
1 Rifle cover, leather
5 Barrels of corn, consumed
12 Hundred pounds of hay, consumed
2 Padlocks
2 Augers
3 Awls, asst.
1 Vice bench
172 Powder barrels
205 Packing boxes
36 Artillery amn. Boxes
35 Cartridge kegs
90 Arm chests


I certify that the foregoing abstract is correct and that the articles therein enumerated were forcibly taken from my possession by Citizens of Missouri on the 20th day of April 1861 they retaining possession of the Store House, Magazine, & Barracks until the evening of the 27th of said month.

John Pellarin

[csuniforms]

Re: Liberty Arsenal, Missouri-- what was captured--

Wonderful! If you apply this to the members of the MSG Companies who participated in the raid you can get a great idea of how they were armed-- including US pattern accoutrements for infantry and calvary. Notice-- the bayonet scabbards have belt plates-- these are Mexican War issue-- Model 1828? or even earlier pattern 1808-- dyed black? as per ordnance regulations or left buff for the State Militia-- FANTASTIC!!!!
Thank You for sharing this document again---This invoice is from the Federal side, and mine from the pro-secession Militia side-- they do match up pretty close.
Again-thanks for sharing!! Will have more information on the State Guard as soon as I can put it into a document.
CSuniforms
Tom Arliskas