Alternative Weapon II

[Gary of CA]

The unusual weapon thread got me thinking (a dangerous thing). Anyhow, there's a fellow at one Civil War Round Table who tells me he has his great-great-great-what-not's gun. He described it to me and being small bore (below .45 cal), it sounded a lot like a squirrel gun. I told him that from its description that it wasn't an issued Union weapon. He then told me that his ancestor was detached as a teamster and drove wagons during the war.

So, could a teamster take a gun of his choice? I've never read that anywhere. He told me that it was used for foraging and not fighting Johnny.

[gilham]

Re: Alternative Weapon II

Just an opinion with no basis in fact on my part.
That sounds plausible to me.Did he mention what theatre his ancestor fought in? I dont know that that would matter but it couldnt hurt to know. It seems that a story like that would come from the western thatre.

Just my opinion though.

[Prodical Reb]

Re: Alternative Weapon II

Teamster's had to eat too!

[Jeff Prechtel]

Re: Alternative Weapon II

Gary-

It's my understanding that the teamsters were civilian contract employees,
and therefore not subject to the standard weapons issue as the rest of the
military personel, so therefore they had the choice of either drawing side
and/or long arms from the quartermaster or providing their own of
civilian manufacture or etc.