1,000 Kerr Pistols issued from Selma Alabama June 1863

[Mississippian]

Gents,

Was going through some CSR's of some random C.S. ordnance officers and found something you cav guys might be interested in. This comes from the CSR of Lt. E.C. Robbins. Lt. Robbins was an artillery officer who spent much of the war on ordnance duty in various posts in Mississippi. At the time of this issue he was officially assigned to Jackson MS, but was probably working out of the Meridian MS area due the threat of the Federal Army to Jackson. One June 22nd 1863 he was issued the following from the Selma Arsenal:

1,000 Kerr's Pistols
100,000 Kerr's Pistol Cartridges
1,000 Powder flasks
1,000 Cleaning Rods
1,000 Nipple Keys
5,000 Spare Cones
200 Bullet Molds
200 Trigger Springs

also issued at the same time were 360 Cedar Canteens and straps.

I found this interesting because I have read that only about 9,000 Kerr's were imported during the war, and this issue makes up a pretty good chunk of them. I'm guessing they went to the cavalry units stationed around Jackson at the time. In 1864 Robbins was made brigade QM of Ross's Texas cavalry brigade in Red Jackson's Division.

Will MacDonald

[Matt Woodburn]

Re: 1,000 Kerr Pistols issued from Selma Alabama June 1863

Will,

Was there any mention of serial numbers on the Kerrs?

[Mississippian]

Re: 1,000 Kerr Pistols issued from Selma Alabama June 1863

No mention of any serial numbers. Here are the Cavalry units stationed around Jackson MS at this time (from Vicksburg NPS site):

CAVALRY DIVISION

Brig. Gen. William H. Jackson

1st Brigade
Brig. Gen. George B. Cosby

1st Mississippi Cavalry, Col. R.A. Pinson
4th Mississippi Cavalry, Col. James Gordon, Maj. J.L. Harris
28th Mississippi Cavalry, Col. Peter B. Starke
Wirt Adams' Mississippi Cavalry, Col. William Wirt Adams
Ballentine's Mississippi Cavalry, Lt. Col. William L. Maxwell
17th Mississippi Cavalry Battalion (State Troops), Maj. Abner C. Steede
Clark's Missouri Battery, Capt. Houston King

2d Brigade

Brig. Gen. John W. Whitfield

3d Texas Cavalry, Col. Giles S. Boggess
6th Texas Cavalry, Col. Lawrence S. Ross, Maj. Jack Wharton
9th Texas Cavalry, Col. Dudley W. Jones
27th Texas Cavalry (also called 1st Texas Legion), Lt. Col. John H. Broocks
Bridge's Arkansas Cavalry Battalion, Maj. H.W. Bridges

Escorts and Guards

Company A, 7th Tennessee Cavalry, Capt. W.F. Taylor
Independent Company Louisiana Cavalry, Capt. J.Y. Webb
Provost Guard (Company D 4th Mississippi Cavalry), Capt. James Ruffin

Will MacDonald

[Ken Knopp]

Re: 1,000 Kerr Pistols issued from Selma Alabama June 1863

The question in my mind is "where" did these pistols go? Somebody correct me here if I am wrong cause I am taking all this from memory and have not had a chance to look this up. However, if Lt Robbins was in Meridian or perhaps Demopolis Ala (a significant depot at times) with the Army of Miss. (Polk) and, given that these depots generally served local geographic areas it is likely the pistols were sold to officers (perhaps some were issued to troopers) of infantry officers or cavalry commands in those areas. Jackson's cavalry was around there at the time (I think Roddy was too?). Van Dorn was in Tenn. while Forrest was north in Miss or Tennessee with Van Dorn (or having fun with Streight in norhern Alabama) in that general time frame. Still, some may have been sent up to him and Van Dorn.

Very interesting about these Kerr pistols. From the cavalry ordnance reports available I see very little record of troopers receiving these type pistols (a few perhaps) which also suggests they were for officers. On the other hand, even at that late date alot of arms were funneling through Selma, Demopolis thence across the river to the TM Dept. Even as late as Jan/Feb 1864 Forrest was in north Miss receiving Lafucheaux pistols (about 900-1100 I think) imported through Mobile via Selma & Demop. and interestingly, a number of them were still being routed to the TM.

In summary it is difficult to know for sure exactly where they all went but this does provide some clues. Very interesting about that large number of Kerrs!!!

Ken R Knopp

https://www.confederatesaddles.com

[Mississippian]

Re: 1,000 Kerr Pistols issued from Selma Alabama June 1863

Ken,

Lt. Robbins was under the command of the Chief of Ordnance of the Dept. of Mississippi and East Louisiana (a Maj. Mayo) and was officially stationed at Jackson Mississippi. Remember this issue takes place 2 weeks BEFORE the fall of Vicksburg, right when Gen. Joseph E. Johnston was in Jackson MS gathering as many men and supplies as he could for his so called "Army of Relief". Remember Johnston was begging Richmond for everything it could give him so he could try and fight his way through to Gen. Pemberton. Knowing this background info I would really be surprised if these guns went anywhere else than the Jackson MS area.

BTW, Earl Van Dorn was very much dead by this time. Jealous husbands and all that......not sure who took is place. Forrest maybe?

Will MacDonald

[Mississippian]

Re: 1,000 Kerr Pistols issued from Selma Alabama June 1863

Another piece of the puzzle. On March 27th 1864 in Benton MS, Capt. Bond, O.O. of Jackson's Cav Division was issued the following:

20 Main Springs for Kerr's Pistols
20 Trigger Springs ""
26 Powder Flasks ""
200 Nipples ""

Will MacDonald

[Matt Woodburn]

Re: 1,000 Kerr Pistols issued from Selma Alabama June 1863

That sounds like a requisition to fix broken Kerrs. I see the 28th Mississippi Cav on their list. I know of an ID'd Leech and Rigdon carried by a trooper in the 28th.

[Mark Choate]

Re: 1,000 Kerr Pistols issued from Selma Alabama June 1863

Weren't the Kerr's prone to failure and had some weaknesses?

Mark

[Ken Knopp]

Re: 1,000 Kerr Pistols issued from Selma Alabama June 1863

Great information and good points. I suppose my question is still the same....where they went. As I noted earlier Kerr's seem to appear in very small numbers in the western cavalry ordnance reports I have seen. Which suggests officers purchases and some small issue into the ranks. However, this really says nothing cause we dont have "all" of the reports for any era let along that time frame. They could have gone to any direction. Some commands could have received large numbers and others none at all. They could have been shipped to the TM or south into east La. or, ....Who knows? Anyway, good stuff here. Ken R Knopp

[Mississippian]

Re: 1,000 Kerr Pistols issued from Selma Alabama June 1863

Ok, looks like I found some of this shipment:

CSR of Capt. W. Taylor, Co. A, 7th Tennessee Cavalry

Received Aug. 31st 1863 at Brandon MS

1000 Enfield Cartridges
1000 Mississippi Cartridges
20 Kerrs Pistols
14 Enfield Arty Carbines
3000 Sporting Caps
16 Cruppers
16 Cavalry Saddles
9 Cavalry Valises
7 Breast Straps
64 Bridles
30 Cartridge Boxes
40 Saber Belts
22 Cap Boxes
32 pr Spurs & Straps
20 Pistol Holsters
20 Powder Flasks
20 Cleaning Rods
20 Nipple Keys
20 Spare Cones
4 Trigger Springs
4 Bullet Moulds
2000 Kerr's Pistol Cartridges

This Company was Gen. W.H. Jackson's Escort Company

Will MacDonald

[Mississippian]

Re: 1,000 Kerr Pistols issued from Selma Alabama June 1863

Found a bunch more! And it looks like Cosby's Brigade had a good influx of supplies during this time.....

CSR of Lt. M. Johnson, O.O. Cosby's Cavalry Brigade

Ordnance Stores received at Brandon MS, August 31st 1863

498 Cavalry Saddles
124 Cavalry Bridles
487 Cruppers
81 Valises
105 Brest Straps
294 Cartridge Boxes
924 Spurs and Straps
178 Haversacks
189 Canteens
114 Kerr Pistols
3 Navy (Georiga) Pistols
187 Pistol Holsters
12000 Kerrs Pistol Cartridges
120 Powder Flasks
120 Cleaning Rods
120 Nipple Keys
120 Spare Cones
24 Trigger Springs
24 Bullet Moulds

Will MacDonald

[Mississippian]

Re: 1,000 Kerr Pistols issued from Selma Alabama June 1863

Found a requisition for Kerr Ammunition for Kelly's Division of Wheeler's Corps in Dec. 1863. I must say that I've been very surprised at the widespread use of this revolver. I had been under the impression that it was mainly used in eastern commands. I'm also surprised at how little we know about them, only 9000-11000 were imported but they were still more of them than all C.S. made pistols put together. Too bad no one repops them.

Will MacDonald

[daveray84]

Re: 1,000 Kerr Pistols issued from Selma Alabama June 1863

The short answer would seem to be 'not enough demand and too expensive to make,' but they keep making LeMats, don't they?