Water Proof Cartridge?

[foxfie949]

New poster question for everyone:

I've been reading Charles Bowen's letter & diary, and have come across an entry in one of them that has me confused. In his letter of April 28, 1862 he writes:

"After getting in a hollow about a mile from camp we halted & loaded our rifles - the rain pouring down in torrents all the while. This did not damage our powder for we use a new water proof cartridge which is not to be torn like the old ones, but put in bodily and rammed home."
(Text from "The Civil War Letters an Diaries of Sergeant Charles T. Bowen" Edward Cassedy)

Forgive my ignorance, but I am not familiar with the style of cartridge for an 1861 Springfield. (which Bowen's regiment was equipped at the time)

Can anyone shed some light on what he was writing about?

Thanks!

Grant Denis

[Western Blue Belly]

Someone please correct me if I’m wrong, but it could be a reference to something like the Johnston & Dow "waterproof and combustible" patented musket cartridge. It was basically a standard cartridge, but the paper was coated with a flammable ingredient. The soldier would simply ram the whole round and would have no need to bite off the end exposing the powder to the elements. They were issued to several eastern units as early as late 1862.

[JohnTaylorCW]

Hi Grant,

Have a look at this thread. http://www.authentic-campaigner.com/forum/showthread.php?t=5429&highlight=beeswax

It should help you get started.

[foxfie949]

John & Ken,

Thank you for the information. I had given the search engine a try, but didn't get anything back.

Thanks again!

Grant Denis

[Curt-Heinrich Schmidt]

Hallo!

Whikle patented in October of 1861, the Ordnance Department did not order a batch of Johnston & Dow waterproof combustible cartriges until March of 1862, but over the next eleven weeks ordered about 1.39 million.
However, "reception" was not all that great, and Johnston & Dow sen tout circulars asking for endorsements, and for the next two years seemed to be struggling to sell them.
J & D's own letters to the Ordnance Department cite a list of officers (and their) units that sent back replies to their solicitations.
Documentation is lacking, but it appears that General Ripley finally got around to holding trials in June of 1864. The results of the trials are not known, but in November of 1864,

"...although the Cartridges have been examined, it has not been deemed desirable, for the interests of the U.S. to make the purchase."

Curt

[Dreamer42]

Interesting thread. When I began researching and making combustible cartridges for my revolver, I experimented with doing the same for my .58 minies. So far it seems to work very well. I use cigarette paper, role it in a taper, pour in about 70 gr powder, close the end, and glue to the hallow base of the bullet. All I have to do is load, prime and fire, just like the stories mentioned here. So far no miss-fire (of about 8 rounds shot)

- Jay Reid
Dreamer42
9th Texas

[Jimmayo]

Here are two examples of what I believe are waterproof cartridges. The left one was dug from sandy soil at Cold Harbor and the right one was dug at White Oak Swamp. Not in the swamp but up on a high hill where the water didn't stand.

[Rob Weaver]

I've fired blank combustables that I've made for my Sharps out of my musket. Essentially, you've created your own "pellet" black powder charge.

[Kace]

I have a question about the combustibles.

Is there any documentation as to the rate they cooked off early or during the loading process. I doubt the heat of the barrel could cause it, but I would think it would be possibility assuming left over fouling held a spark?

Kace

[NC5thCav]

I have a question about the combustibles.

Is there any documentation as to the rate they cooked off early or during the loading process. I doubt the heat of the barrel could cause it, but I would think it would be possibility assuming left over fouling held a spark?

Kace

The danger would probably be only slightly higher than regular cartidges. The loose powder could still ignite, but it probably wouldn't have quite the consequences as the combustible rounds.