Ordnance Records of the 2nd Kentucky Cavalry

[Mississippian]

Found a random early war ordnance record for J.H. Morgan's 2nd Kentucky Cav. in the "Misc" section of Fold3. Looks like Imported English gear for the Kentuckians!

CSR of J.H. Morgan

Ordnance Stores received on May 26th 1862 at Corinth MS:

101 Enfield Rifles and Bayonets
101 Cartridge Boxes
101 Cartridge Box Belts
101 Cap Pouches
101 Waist Belts
101 Bayonet Scabbards
101 Canteens
4 Holster Pistols
10000 Enfield Cartridges
100 Enameled Haversacks
10000 Musket Caps
100 Frogs
100 Canteen Straps

Will MacDonald

[AndrewGrim]

Re: Ordnance Records of the 2nd Kentucky Cavalry

So somebody had to find a strap for his canteen.

[DBURT]

Re: Ordnance Records of the 2nd Kentucky Cavalry

Wonderful information as usual Will.

Dave Burt

[Stoneburner]

Re: Ordnance Records of the 2nd Kentucky Cavalry

I know I am pretty late to this post, but where might I find information on what model/version of those items (sorry, can't think of the proper term) were issued from Corinth in 1862? I am hoping to portray one of Morgan's men at Civil War Day at the Cincinnati History Museum on June 14th, but it is my first real foray into ACW (I've done F&I, Longhunter, War of 1812, cowboys) and I'm not very familiar with the best sources. I've been finding great stuff on Morgan and his men and have the basics well taken care of, but the kind of details your research opens up would be great to have! Thanks for any help anyone can send my way!

[Jerry Ross]

Re: Ordnance Records of the 2nd Kentucky Cavalry

Bayonets for Cavalry!

[Tyler Underwood]

Re: Ordnance Records of the 2nd Kentucky Cavalry

Unless it was counted as part of the rifle, there is no mention of rifle slings. I think that since everything else has been itemized that they would be as well. Not knowing a lot about cavalry I would think that that having a sling would be a vital part of carrying an Enfield on horseback.

[IowaYank]

Re: Ordnance Records of the 2nd Kentucky Cavalry

From personal experience riding with a three bander; it is not vital to have a sling. It only comes into play when you have a secondary weapon which you have to utilize as well; which according to this return they did not. Those four pistols are likely for officers.

[Tyler Underwood]

Re: Ordnance Records of the 2nd Kentucky Cavalry

Again not being familiar with the cavalry side of things; what if you need both hands for something? Would it be common to fashion a makeshift sling out of a piece of line our other material? I’m not trying to argue with you Dan, I am just trying to learn from this discussion.

[IowaYank]

Re: Ordnance Records of the 2nd Kentucky Cavalry

I don't have documentation of it offhand, but I'm sure you could use a rope, etc for short term. Rope would literally be a pain to have across your back. Honestly if you only have one weapon, there is nothing you need your other hand for assuming your horse knew how to neck rein. I suppose as the war went on and replacement mounts come in that are not well trained and have to be direct reined, you would need two hands to direct rein; but as I recently discussed with a few others offline, horses pick up on neck reining fairly fast especially with how much they were ridden during the war.

[Jerry Ross]

Re: Ordnance Records of the 2nd Kentucky Cavalry

I have rode with my three bander for years with no sling. I don't like having it strapped to my back. I was always afraid of falling off and landing on my back.

[Eric Tipton]

Re: Ordnance Records of the 2nd Kentucky Cavalry

My G-G-G Grandfather, Private George Tipton, rode with the 2nd Kentucky Cavalry (and the 7th, I believe). Great stuff Will! Thanks for posting.

[Tyler Underwood]

Re: Ordnance Records of the 2nd Kentucky Cavalry

Thanks for helping me to understand this better guys.

[Stoneburner]

Re: Ordnance Records of the 2nd Kentucky Cavalry

Now that folks are looking at this post, I'll respectfully ask again: anyone know the models for any of these items? Were they two band Enfields or three? Richmond Arsenal cartridge boxes? What style of canteens? Any feedback is appreciated!

Please Note: Mr. Shaw, please remember to sign your first and last name to all posts. To alleviate further signature infractions, you can create an automatic signature. To do this you can go to the upper right corner and click settings. Then go the left side of the screen and click edit signature. Thank you for your cooperation. – Tyler Underwood

[Curt Schmidt]

Re: Ordnance Records of the 2nd Kentucky Cavalry

Hallo!

"I know I am pretty late to this post, but where might I find information on what model/version of those items (sorry, can't think of the proper term) were issued from Corinth in 1862?"

At the real risk of using a Universal," that level of detail is (almost) never ever found. It was just not that important to the men at the time, except maybe for distinctions between "long Enfields" (RM's) and "short Enfields" (R's). Further complicated by individuals using words too loosely such as Enfield or Tower 'muskets,' 'rifle-muskets,' or 'rifles.'

It they were actually talking about Rifles and not using rifle generically, odds are extremely high they were P1856 Short Rifles. May be on a stretch a P1858 No. 2 Short Rifle (aka Bar on Band) but I doubt it.
Some believe that maybe one or two limited production P1860 Short Rifles or P1861 Short Rifles might have gotten to the South outside of the "London" manufactures and not of the vast if not near total majority going into storage unissued even in GB.

I can say with certainty, that they were not Parker-Hale or Italian P1858 "Naval" Rifles. :) :)
Their being modern "riflized" versions of P1853 4th Models.

Sometimes the only and best way to know, is if a number of ID'd images are known... and one can see what the men are holding.

Good luck on your search. Please share if you do!

Curt

[Tyler Underwood]

Re: Ordnance Records of the 2nd Kentucky Cavalry

Thinking about it now, I am curious if the CS government had large stockpiles of Enfield Rifles in Corinth at the time. The 17th Tennessee infantry was re-issued Enfield’s when it reached Corinth in 1862.

“On the 28th of Febuary the march to North Mississippi began, and when reaching Iuka was reached it was encamped and charged with the duty of observing the front and river at that point until the battle of Shiloh began., and on the last day of the engagement it was removed to Corinth and out in the direction of the battlefield; but the fighting having ceased, it was returned to Corinth.

Soon after its arrival at Corinth the regiment was armed with English rifle muskets, and for the first time the men felt they could meet the enemy on equal grounds.”

Taken from The Military Annals of Tennessee