I think some of the rockets were used as weapons. Here is another report from the O.R. as far back as 61. Note Gen. Johnston refers to them as weapons.
Elmer

HEADQUARTERS,
Fairfax Court-House, October 14, 1861.

Hon. J. P. BENJAMIN,
Secretary of War:

SIR: I have been informed by General Beauregard that you have directed him to revoke his orders for the raising of a company to serve a rocket battery. I respectfully ask you to recall your order on this subject, and hope that you will permit the company to be raised and equipped in the manner intended by General Beauregard. It is thought by our scientific officers that such a battery would be a powerful auxiliary to our infantry, the more desirable from the great superiority of numbers of the enemy. The weapon would be especially formidable to the numerous but unskillful horsemen of the U.. S. Army.

Most respectfully, your obedient servant,
J. E. JOHNSTON, General.