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I have posted this before, but it's been a few years. I'll post again for those who have not seen it. This are a synopsis of two Inspection Reports for Wheeler's Cavalry Corps for the periods January-February, 1865 and March-April, 1865. These are the last four months of the war. At this time, Wheeler was opposing Sherman's March to the Sea across Georgia and the Carolinas. What I really like about these reports is that they are written in dialogue style, rather than just numbers and items. It gives you a very clear picture of what the observer was seeing. Of note:
1) The Inspector references the requisition and distribution of clothing in the spring and fall, as if it were a standard practice.
2) Something to remember - because of the high mobility of mounted troops, they had often moved beyond a place set up for distribution of clothing and supplies before the supplies arrived to be distributed. Note that this dogged Wheeler from 1863 through 1864.
3) Note the discussion of Spencer Rifles and the statement about Spencer ammunition being manufactured in Richmond.
4) Note the suggestion of the formation of pistol and saber companies. And the lack of focus on the saber.
5) Note the reference to weapons being private property of the troops and how they exchanged them on the field for better arms.
6) Note that even this late in the war, many men were carrying ammunition in their pockets and saddle bags. Most accouterments are "captured property."
7) Note the reference to types of saddles.
8) He mentions the lack of records and regimental books.
9) The last time this command had been (partially) paid was May 1864 - almost a year previous.
10) The second report refers to an incident in Columbia, SC, just before the town was burned. While military stores were available, they were not issued to Wheeler because they were designated for a command that was a hundred miles distant, and the stores were burned.
What else jumps out at you?
Parenthetical and italicized statements are mine.
-----------------
Inspection Report of Wheeler's Command by Col. C.C. Jones of January and February, 1865. Excerpts
follow:
"ARMS
As a general rule, there is a great want of uniformity in the armament of this command. The principal weapons in the hands of the men are the long and short Enfield rifle, the Springfield musket, the Austrian rifle, a variety of breech loading rifles, viz: the Spencer, the Burnside, the Sharp, Maynard &c. and various kinds of pistols. Many if not all of the breech loading rifles and pistols are captured arms. For some of them, as the Spencer, there is a great difficulty in procuring the requisite amount of ammunition, the supply now in the cartridge boxes of the men and the ordnance train having been obtained exclusively
by capture...
...With such a variety of calibers, and in view of the fact that the supply is at best but limited and uncertain, for at least some of the guns mentioned, it becomes almost a matter of impossibility to secure at all times the proper amount of ammunition...
...Many of the arms now in the hands of the men are claimed by them as private property, having been secured by them by capture, purchase or exchange...
...Captured arms are not turned over in very many respects as they should be to the ordnance officer. Indifferent or heavy guns are privately exchanged by the men upon the battlefield and elsewhere for light carbines and other guns more suited to the fancy of the captor, and thus where uniformity of armament existed, there occurs an interpolation of guns of various calibers, descriptions and ranges.
...In this command there are a great many fair Spencer rifles and other breech loading weapons of superior character for which ammunition might be conveniently manufactured in our arsenals.
...I am informed that ammunition for the Spencer rifles, which I regard as the most valuable of all breech-loading guns, and particularly adapted to the cavalry or mounted infantry is now being freely prepared at the Richmond Arsenal. If that be the fact, I respectfully suggest that all weapons of this class be retained by the government in the hands of the cavalry,
...(suggesting that the various caliber weapons be confiscated and the men issued the captured guns on an organized basis)...in this way companies and perhaps regiments might very soon be armed with Spencer rifles or some other modern arm found irregularly distributed throughout the command. At least one regiment in each brigade should be armed with pistols and sabers. This might be held in reserve under normal circumstances as the charging regiment. As is present constituted, this command is virtually little more than mounted infantry.
...It is a matter of regret that the saber has been so much overlooked; its moral influence is great.
...In addition to their other arms, quite a considerable proportion of the men carry revolvers, principally of Colt's navy and army patterns.
...I regret to state that in this command there are many unarmed men..
(he goes on to say that these men are principally horse holders and the fact that they are unarmed therefore does not diminish from the
effective firepower.)
ACCOUTREMENTS
The deficiency existing in this particular is patent, a full supply, I am informed, has never been received, and many of the accoutrements now in use are captured property. In consequence of the absence of cartridge boxes and belts, much of the ammunition is carried in the pockets, haversacks, and saddle bags of the men. Requisitions are on file for the supply of the needed stores.
AMMUNITION
In the cartridge boxes, pockets, and saddle bags of the men, upon inspection, was found the average of thirty-five to forty rounds (with another forty found in the ordnance train which he recommends being increased to 60 rounds in the trains).
EQUIPMENTS, SADDLES, ETC
(After a discourse on the difficulty of getting saddles which led Wheeler to set up his own manufactory at Oglethorpe, GA, he states:)
...Great difficulty has been experienced in procuring suitable equipments from the ordinance department, but existing deficiencies have been have in great measure been supplied by capture, and by the use of private saddles and bridles. Most of the saddles in this corps are in good condition and of appropriate style, viz: the Texas and McClellan...
...saddle blankets are very much needed. The same remark is applicable to curry combs and brushes.
HORSES
(While stating that they are in good condition, he states that there are still many dismounted men)
....I have the honor to call to specific attention that there is now due to the men of General Wheeler's command, by the central government, for private horses killed in action, the sum of $967,465.00
CLOTHING
It is very much needed and many of the men are suffering greatly for jackets, pants and overcoats, shoes and blankets. In November, 1863 about two-thirds of this command moved under orders to East Tennessee where there were no facilities at the time for procuring the desired clothing, and while thus absent from the Army of Tennessee were prevented from receiving its proportion of the supplies which were accumulated at the army depots. Upon the return of the cavalry to the Army of Tennessee, the spring campaign of 1864 had opened and before requisition for clothing could be filled, General Wheeler's was sent through Middle Tennessee and North Alabama upon the raid in the rear of Sherman's Army. The regular fall issues for this command were sent to Tuscumbia in anticipation of the return of the command to that point, but so soon as it was ascertained that the command would not go there, the clothing was ordered to be turned over to Columbus, but this supply the cavalry was also prevented from receiving by Sherman's advance, General Wheeler's cavalry being ordered at once to his front to impede his march through Georgia. Since the occupation of Savannah by the Federal forces, every effort has been made through the Quartermaster General and the Quartermaster at Augusta, Ga., to procure the necessary clothing, etc., but thus far without any material results. Requisitions had been renewed and officers sent to procure the needed supplies and it is hoped they will be successful in their mission. (As this was issued in late February - Early march - Wheeler stayed on the move through north-eastern South Carolina and south-eastern North Carolina. Augusta, Columbus, Savannah and Charleston were closed off to resupply. No supplies ever reached him)
COMPANY AND REGIMENTAL BOOKS
With but very few exceptions, there are no regularly kept company books in this command. Only the memoranda of the issue of clothing is usually preserved.
PAY
No Quartermaster's funds have been received since May, 1864 and then only $160,000 for the use of the entire force. To most of them (the command) more than a year's pay is now due.
FROM THE INSPECTION REPORT OF COL. E.E. PORTLOCK, JR. MARCH AND APRIL,
1865
MILITARY APPEARANCE, CONDUCT, ETC.
...Clothing is very much needed, no regular issue of clothing has been made to this corps for nearly two years, but occasionally, small lots, barely sufficient to make destitute respectable has been received and issued. Soap is much needed...The men are fine looking, healthy and robust, but there is about them, as with all Western men, an independent, careless look which a casual observer, unacquainted with their character would think savored of insubordination or impatience under military restraint. There is less attention paid to the minutia of the soldier's life by these men than our eastern or city troops...
...Sitting on their horses with a peculiar ease which is natural to them, the best horsemen in the world, they have never been able to adopt that stiff military formality which is found in the regular soldier. I was saluted as an officer by the soldiers in this corps oftener than in any organization I have met. In passing up and down the column on the march, I found very seldom any unusual noise or boisterous conduct. it
is hoped that clothing can be issued to these troops as they greatly need it, independent of the military appearance it would give them.
In Columbia, I have been informed by Major O.P. Chafee, Inspector Field Transportation, Major S.P. Kerr, Chief Ordnance Officer and other officers of this corps that there was clothing that was refused to be issued to this command, simply because it had been made for another command, then distant one hundred miles, and that tobacco, coffee, sugar and other commissary stores were refused because it was not customary to issue such articles; and that this clothing, sugar, coffee, etc. was either given to citizens, plundered or destroyed to prevent the enemy from getting them...
...It is true that when the evacuation (of Columbia, SC) was nearly completed, a Quartermaster did issue some clothing to individual soldiers, but this was more calculated to do harm than good , as it gave men an inducement to quit their ranks to get what their officers could not procure.
1) The Inspector references the requisition and distribution of clothing in the spring and fall, as if it were a standard practice.
2) Something to remember - because of the high mobility of mounted troops, they had often moved beyond a place set up for distribution of clothing and supplies before the supplies arrived to be distributed. Note that this dogged Wheeler from 1863 through 1864.
3) Note the discussion of Spencer Rifles and the statement about Spencer ammunition being manufactured in Richmond.
4) Note the suggestion of the formation of pistol and saber companies. And the lack of focus on the saber.
5) Note the reference to weapons being private property of the troops and how they exchanged them on the field for better arms.
6) Note that even this late in the war, many men were carrying ammunition in their pockets and saddle bags. Most accouterments are "captured property."
7) Note the reference to types of saddles.
8) He mentions the lack of records and regimental books.
9) The last time this command had been (partially) paid was May 1864 - almost a year previous.
10) The second report refers to an incident in Columbia, SC, just before the town was burned. While military stores were available, they were not issued to Wheeler because they were designated for a command that was a hundred miles distant, and the stores were burned.
What else jumps out at you?
Parenthetical and italicized statements are mine.
-----------------
Inspection Report of Wheeler's Command by Col. C.C. Jones of January and February, 1865. Excerpts
follow:
"ARMS
As a general rule, there is a great want of uniformity in the armament of this command. The principal weapons in the hands of the men are the long and short Enfield rifle, the Springfield musket, the Austrian rifle, a variety of breech loading rifles, viz: the Spencer, the Burnside, the Sharp, Maynard &c. and various kinds of pistols. Many if not all of the breech loading rifles and pistols are captured arms. For some of them, as the Spencer, there is a great difficulty in procuring the requisite amount of ammunition, the supply now in the cartridge boxes of the men and the ordnance train having been obtained exclusively
by capture...
...With such a variety of calibers, and in view of the fact that the supply is at best but limited and uncertain, for at least some of the guns mentioned, it becomes almost a matter of impossibility to secure at all times the proper amount of ammunition...
...Many of the arms now in the hands of the men are claimed by them as private property, having been secured by them by capture, purchase or exchange...
...Captured arms are not turned over in very many respects as they should be to the ordnance officer. Indifferent or heavy guns are privately exchanged by the men upon the battlefield and elsewhere for light carbines and other guns more suited to the fancy of the captor, and thus where uniformity of armament existed, there occurs an interpolation of guns of various calibers, descriptions and ranges.
...In this command there are a great many fair Spencer rifles and other breech loading weapons of superior character for which ammunition might be conveniently manufactured in our arsenals.
...I am informed that ammunition for the Spencer rifles, which I regard as the most valuable of all breech-loading guns, and particularly adapted to the cavalry or mounted infantry is now being freely prepared at the Richmond Arsenal. If that be the fact, I respectfully suggest that all weapons of this class be retained by the government in the hands of the cavalry,
...(suggesting that the various caliber weapons be confiscated and the men issued the captured guns on an organized basis)...in this way companies and perhaps regiments might very soon be armed with Spencer rifles or some other modern arm found irregularly distributed throughout the command. At least one regiment in each brigade should be armed with pistols and sabers. This might be held in reserve under normal circumstances as the charging regiment. As is present constituted, this command is virtually little more than mounted infantry.
...It is a matter of regret that the saber has been so much overlooked; its moral influence is great.
...In addition to their other arms, quite a considerable proportion of the men carry revolvers, principally of Colt's navy and army patterns.
...I regret to state that in this command there are many unarmed men..
(he goes on to say that these men are principally horse holders and the fact that they are unarmed therefore does not diminish from the
effective firepower.)
ACCOUTREMENTS
The deficiency existing in this particular is patent, a full supply, I am informed, has never been received, and many of the accoutrements now in use are captured property. In consequence of the absence of cartridge boxes and belts, much of the ammunition is carried in the pockets, haversacks, and saddle bags of the men. Requisitions are on file for the supply of the needed stores.
AMMUNITION
In the cartridge boxes, pockets, and saddle bags of the men, upon inspection, was found the average of thirty-five to forty rounds (with another forty found in the ordnance train which he recommends being increased to 60 rounds in the trains).
EQUIPMENTS, SADDLES, ETC
(After a discourse on the difficulty of getting saddles which led Wheeler to set up his own manufactory at Oglethorpe, GA, he states:)
...Great difficulty has been experienced in procuring suitable equipments from the ordinance department, but existing deficiencies have been have in great measure been supplied by capture, and by the use of private saddles and bridles. Most of the saddles in this corps are in good condition and of appropriate style, viz: the Texas and McClellan...
...saddle blankets are very much needed. The same remark is applicable to curry combs and brushes.
HORSES
(While stating that they are in good condition, he states that there are still many dismounted men)
....I have the honor to call to specific attention that there is now due to the men of General Wheeler's command, by the central government, for private horses killed in action, the sum of $967,465.00
CLOTHING
It is very much needed and many of the men are suffering greatly for jackets, pants and overcoats, shoes and blankets. In November, 1863 about two-thirds of this command moved under orders to East Tennessee where there were no facilities at the time for procuring the desired clothing, and while thus absent from the Army of Tennessee were prevented from receiving its proportion of the supplies which were accumulated at the army depots. Upon the return of the cavalry to the Army of Tennessee, the spring campaign of 1864 had opened and before requisition for clothing could be filled, General Wheeler's was sent through Middle Tennessee and North Alabama upon the raid in the rear of Sherman's Army. The regular fall issues for this command were sent to Tuscumbia in anticipation of the return of the command to that point, but so soon as it was ascertained that the command would not go there, the clothing was ordered to be turned over to Columbus, but this supply the cavalry was also prevented from receiving by Sherman's advance, General Wheeler's cavalry being ordered at once to his front to impede his march through Georgia. Since the occupation of Savannah by the Federal forces, every effort has been made through the Quartermaster General and the Quartermaster at Augusta, Ga., to procure the necessary clothing, etc., but thus far without any material results. Requisitions had been renewed and officers sent to procure the needed supplies and it is hoped they will be successful in their mission. (As this was issued in late February - Early march - Wheeler stayed on the move through north-eastern South Carolina and south-eastern North Carolina. Augusta, Columbus, Savannah and Charleston were closed off to resupply. No supplies ever reached him)
COMPANY AND REGIMENTAL BOOKS
With but very few exceptions, there are no regularly kept company books in this command. Only the memoranda of the issue of clothing is usually preserved.
PAY
No Quartermaster's funds have been received since May, 1864 and then only $160,000 for the use of the entire force. To most of them (the command) more than a year's pay is now due.
FROM THE INSPECTION REPORT OF COL. E.E. PORTLOCK, JR. MARCH AND APRIL,
1865
MILITARY APPEARANCE, CONDUCT, ETC.
...Clothing is very much needed, no regular issue of clothing has been made to this corps for nearly two years, but occasionally, small lots, barely sufficient to make destitute respectable has been received and issued. Soap is much needed...The men are fine looking, healthy and robust, but there is about them, as with all Western men, an independent, careless look which a casual observer, unacquainted with their character would think savored of insubordination or impatience under military restraint. There is less attention paid to the minutia of the soldier's life by these men than our eastern or city troops...
...Sitting on their horses with a peculiar ease which is natural to them, the best horsemen in the world, they have never been able to adopt that stiff military formality which is found in the regular soldier. I was saluted as an officer by the soldiers in this corps oftener than in any organization I have met. In passing up and down the column on the march, I found very seldom any unusual noise or boisterous conduct. it
is hoped that clothing can be issued to these troops as they greatly need it, independent of the military appearance it would give them.
In Columbia, I have been informed by Major O.P. Chafee, Inspector Field Transportation, Major S.P. Kerr, Chief Ordnance Officer and other officers of this corps that there was clothing that was refused to be issued to this command, simply because it had been made for another command, then distant one hundred miles, and that tobacco, coffee, sugar and other commissary stores were refused because it was not customary to issue such articles; and that this clothing, sugar, coffee, etc. was either given to citizens, plundered or destroyed to prevent the enemy from getting them...
...It is true that when the evacuation (of Columbia, SC) was nearly completed, a Quartermaster did issue some clothing to individual soldiers, but this was more calculated to do harm than good , as it gave men an inducement to quit their ranks to get what their officers could not procure.
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