Issuing of Accoutrements

[Regimental Colours]

Many units went off to war in 1861 with obsolete long arms (i.e. .69 caliber muskets altered from flintlock to percussion). As the war progressed and units were issued new weaponry (i.e. .58 caliber rifled muskets), did they also receive a new issue of accoutrements?

I am particularly interested in how this relates to Confederate units.

[Mississippian]

Re: Issuing of Accoutrements

I've looked at alot of C.S. ordnance records and it's rare to see "whole" units being issued new accouterments after the initial issue. Sometimes you will see units that have a goodly number of equipment issues, usually at the begining and end of a campaigning season. Men whose gear was damaged or thrown away were issued new stuff as needed, and returning wounded men and new recruits were issued whole sets of gear.

One time a unit would be issued new gear is if it had been captured. Such as the regiments that garrisoned Ft. Donelson and Vicksburg got whole new issues of everything after they were exchanged.

Will MacDonald

[dixieflyer]

Re: Issuing of Accoutrements

Adamn,
I'm glad you brought this up as I have thought to ask the same question. To me (and here I go applying logic to something again, it's dangerous doing it in real life) why would troops who had .69 caliber cartridge boxes, which would .58 caliber round with no problem, be issued new boxes if there present ones were still serviceable? I know during my time in the 80's one might see 2-3 different issue mag pouches for our M-16's. If you had asked the supply sgt. for new ones and you still had serviceable pouches he'd send you packing!
I sold a Morrow & Sons .69 box a friend of mine made me years ago and wish I hadn't. In the mindset of saving money right now, I'm considering seriously of just getting a Morrow & sons box and an M1839 US box, and letting it go at that for the time being since I can use either one for my M1816/22 or my Enfield.

[Regimental Colours]

Re: Issuing of Accoutrements

I think my question may have two answers.

On the way East in 1861 the 2nd Wisconsin Infantry were issued .69 caliber Harper's Ferry muskets, converted from flintlock to percussion, in Harrisburg (Pennsylvania). On July 13th Company B of the 2nd Wisconsin received new .58 caliber Springfield rifles. At this time did Company B also receive new cartridge boxes and bayonets?

Considering the shortage of accoutrements for Confederate units, I think they would have normally retained their accoutrements when issued new long arms. As Warren pointed out a .58 caliber cartridge will fit in a .69 caliber cartridge box.

[GenuineInformation]

Re: Issuing of Accoutrements

There was a post by Dave Stieghan over on one of the 6th Mississippi/150th Shiloh threads that may help--post #54, found on page 6 of the thread, available at http://www.authentic-campaigner.com/...t-Shiloh/page6.