Sharp's Infantry Rifle for cavalry use

[adamandnicole]

Has anyone seen any documentation of Sharp's infantry rifles used for cavalry? I haven't yet found a specific reference of their use. I did see in an old thread a document from Forrest's troops listing "Sharp's Rifles" in their inventory, but I am guessing that they mean carbines.

I plan to use my Mississippi rifle, but a guy offered me a deal on a 3 band Sharp's that I shouldn't pass up---just wanted to see if I'd have any legitimate use for it.

Thanks,

Adam Dickerson

[Jerry Ross]

Re: Sharp's Infantry Rifle for cavalry use

It would be great for Wilder's Brigade but that is a federal mounted infantry unit.

[adamandnicole]

Re: Sharp's Infantry Rifle for cavalry use

I thought Wilder's guys were using Spencers.

Adam Dickerson

[Fenianboy]

Re: Sharp's Infantry Rifle for cavalry use

You're right,they had Spencers.

[Jerry Ross]

Re: Sharp's Infantry Rifle for cavalry use

Oppppps I read your post wrong sorry. I should not respond when I have had too much to drink . I should stick to watching T.V. and drinking only.
Sorry

[mslaird]

Re: Sharp's Infantry Rifle for cavalry use

I could look through some more of my stuff and see what I can turn up. The 1st and 2nd Arkansas Mounted (though dismounted for the duration of their careers) Rifles had a wide assortment of weaponry. The 1st and 2nd Cherokee Mounted Rifles had a pretty diverse inventory as well. Some of the Texas and other Arkansas cavalry units had some interesting weaponry. A lot of Halls (Rifles and carbines in both flint and percussion.) and Merrills. I don't think it would be too off base to use a very limited amount of 59 Sharps rifles in addition to the carbines for such an impression. Not to get off subject, but I read an account by an Arkansas cavalryman who talked of having a "Mississippi Merrill" that he did not think was terribly accurate. I have seen only one original of a US Model 1841 converted in such a manner. I do not know if he was talking of such a creature or if he was speaking of a Merrill Infantry Rifle. I will see what I can dig up.

[Dan Wambaugh]

Re: Sharp's Infantry Rifle for cavalry use

Several members of the Michigan companies of the 1st and 2nd USSS (Cos. C, I, & K of the 1st and Company B of the 2nd) re-enlisted with the 5th Michigan cavalry when their original terms of service were up. The most famous of course was John Huff (originally of B-2) who killed JEB Stuart at 400 yards. Even though his personal account states that he shot Stuart with his Sharps rifle, popular culture has held that he hit Stuart at that range with a shot from his revolver.

Though the special double set trigger Sharps rifles are really only appropriate for portrayals of the 1st and 2nd USSS and certain companies of the Pennsylvania Bucktails from South Mountain onward, it is impossible to keep track of where they went after the men's enlistments were up. We also cannot say for certain (barring original accounts) whether the men retained their special rifles after their service with the Sharpshooters was up, but at least in Huff's case it is possible that he retained his dst Sharps Rifle once he joined the 5th Michigan Cavalry.

Best,

[bluesuit01]

Re: Sharp's Infantry Rifle for cavalry use

There is a brief mention in "Wild Riders of the First Kentucky Cavalry" by Eastham Tarrant (pp. 49-50). "Soon after entering camp we were introduced to active service. A detachment of picked men, armed with flintlock "horse" pistols, a relic of by-gone days, was sent under Lieut.-Colonel John W. Letcher to Nicholasville, on the north side of the Kentucky river, some fifteen miles distant, to guard arms through to camp. After returning from this expedition, companies A, B and C were armed with the Army Sharpe rifles with saber bayonets, one of the most effective arms in the service, and especially adapted to the dragoon or heavy Cavalry service. The other companies were afterward armed with the musket, a very inefficient arm, and particularly inconvenient for Cavalry. The men were compelled to retain these for a long time, much to their displeasure." This was at Camp Dick Robinson, in Garrard County in August or September of 1861. Maj. John A. Brents, in his "Patriots and Guerrillas of East TN and KY" (KY Jayhawker Press edition, p. 42) states that after the regiment's service at Wildcat Mountain (October, 1861), "The enemy ever after was heard to say that they feared the `Old Wolf` with his Sharp's-rifle boys." The Old Wolf was Colonel Frank Wolford, the 1st KY commander.

Timothy H. Downey

[adamandnicole]

Re: Sharp's Infantry Rifle for cavalry use

Timothy,
Great reference--that is just the kind of documentation I was searching for. Thanks to all that responded.

Adam Dickerson

[Johan Steele]

Re: Sharp's Infantry Rifle for cavalry use

According to Coates & McAulay in Civil War Sharps Carbines & Rifles on pg 27 the 11th Kentucky Mounted Rifles and 25 US Cav Regt were carrying at least some Sharps Rifles at one point or another.