The Mississippi in the Civil War Message Board

Re: Swords and Pistols.
In Response To: Re: Swords and Pistols. ()

Your post...

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Posted By: Alan Pitts
Date: Thursday, 27 December 2007, at 2:39 p.m.

In Response To: Re: Question on Forrest (George Martin)

"Unfortunately few of Forrest's men carried revolvers or swords. That made them (like other Southern horsemen) quite vulnerable to mounted attacks by Federal horsemen who carried sabres and knew how to use them -- well, most of the time anyway.

Using those parts of his command armed with revolvers in limited attacks and counter-attacks, Forrest avoided any engagement which placed his men at a tactical disadvantage. For the most part Forrest employed the horse for mobility and sent his men into battle on foot with their Enfields whenever possible. Mounted charges worked best when Forrest could surprise and overwhelm a small and isolated Federal force. He certainly wouldn't have led the charge of the Light Brigade in the Crimean War!"
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This is where I have a disagreement and only disagreement with your post. It is a general statement that is too broad to give credit to those under Forrest who did in fact carry revolvers or those who carried swords. It does not mention Brice's Crossroads, mention specific units or a specific time period.

Example:

Eight Texas Cavalry, Terry's Texas Rangers.

May 13, 1862. One month after the Battle of Shilo and serving under General Forrest and one month before meeting up with General Forrest in Tennessee for a campaign into Kentucky.

Ammunition Requisition.

20,160 Cartridges for Navy six shooters
6,000 Cartridges for Army six shooters
5,000 cartridges for shotguns
25,000 cartridges, buck and ball cal. 69
4,000 cartridges for Mississippi rifle
1,000 cartridges for Enfield rifle

Bolivar Troop, Company A, 1st Battalion Mississippi Cavalry.

Under of the ordinance of January 23, 1861 each Bolivar Trooper was issued two Colt revolvers, a saber, and a Maynard carbine.

A description of 5th Sergeant Frank A. Gayden, captured near Charleston, Missouri, in August 1861.

"armed with a splendid Maynard rifle, a pair of Colt's Navy revolvers, and a cavalry sword."

A picture link below of a company G group of the 1st Miss, shows swords and pistols.

http://www.confederatesaddles.com/miss_cavalry_group.html

____________________________
David Upton

Messages In This Thread

Forrest at Brice's Crossroads
Re: Forrest at Brice's Crossroads
Re: Forrest at Brice's Crossroads
Re: Forrest at Brice's Crossroads
Re: Forrest at Brice's Crossroads
Swords and Pistols.
Re: Swords and Pistols.
Re: Swords and Pistols.
Re: Swords and Pistols.
Re: Swords and Pistols.
Re: Swords and Pistols.
Private Weapons
Re: Private Weapons
Re: Private Weapons
Re: PFD
Re: PFD
Re: PFD
Re: PFD
Re: PFD
Re: PFD
Military Records
Re: Military Records
Re: Military Records
Re: Military Records
Re: Military Records
News & Views?
Re: News & Views?
Re: News & Views?
Re: Inspection Reports of Mississippi Brigades?
Re: Inspection Report, Harris' Mississippi Brigade
Re: News & Views?
Re: News & Views?
Re: News & Views?