Mounted Infantry

[Longbranch 1]

Comrades,

Not trying to stir any flames.
While I am awaiting arrival of 2 volumes ( Kirk's Raiders, A Notorious Band Of Villains and Thieves , and, The Regimental History of the 3rd NC Mounted Infantry U.S.), I have a couple of quick questions;

(A) As an INFANTRY unit, I would think that actual deployment in an engagement would normally be as Infantry. But according to an internet source. ( Hey, I know! )these soldiers were issued Spencer repeating rifles. Does anyone have any knowledge that they were issued weapons or accoutrements that are more usually associated with Cav. Pistols, Sabres, Spurs, etc?

( B ) WAS there any difference in tactics or deployment as differentiated from the "Leg" infantry? If so, just a hint toward an initial source that I could research would be appreciated.

( C ) Any other sources you might recommend regarding Mounted Infantry?


( D ) Is anyone in the community portraying Mounted Inf.?

That is probably clear as mud, but thanks in advance for any replies.

Regards,
Kevin Ellis,
26th NCT

[Ross L. Lamoreaux]

One unit that I have portrayed, the 75th Ohio Volunteer Infantry was mounted during their service in Florida in 1864. Prior to joining the 10th Corps at Hilton Head, SC, the 75th was by all accounts a normal infantry regiment attached to the 11th Corps at Chancellorsville, Gettysburg, etc., and since they were pretty depleted, they were sent south and given mounts and Spencers for most, but not all companies. The belief , through the OR's and other research, was that the Spencer-armed companies operated as typical mounted infantry, i.e. riding to the fight and dismounting, as the other companies still armed with rifled muskets continued to fight and move in the traditional manner. I'm still wading through much of what I've compiled on their actions in Florida, but they weren't all too successful, providing alot of prisoners and casualties for much of their service in Florida to Cpt JJ Dickinson and his Florida cav.

[James Brenner]

Mounted infantry was used to accompany cavalry and horse artillery to provide additional firepower. In the absence of a cavalry force, mounted infantry could assume some of the traditional cavalry duties: reconnaisance, patrolling, advanced and rear guards, etc. The main difference is that the mounted infantryman was usually armed with some type of rifle (although my g-grandfather who was in Wilders Brigade carried a carbine) and fought on foot. The cavalryman typically carried a carbine and could fight either mounted or dismounted with pistol, sabre, or carbine.

Here's a quotation from LT. Julius Penn's article, "Mounted Infantry" in the November 1891 issue of the Journal of the Military Service Intitution of the United States: "All cavalry in the future, all mounted troops, ought to be mounted infantry, that is to say, all mounted troops ought to be armed with long range guns, carbines or rifles, and with little else, and be prepared to do most of the fighting on foot. In my four years' experience as a cavalry officer, - as a company, battalion, regimental, brigade, and division commander, participating in most of the battles of General Lee's Army of Northern Virginia; and from January, 1865, to the surrender in May, with General J.E. Johnston, - I rarely had the occasion to use either the sabre or pistol." GEN M.C. Butler

While this doesn't answer your question exactly, it may provide some insight. I hope it helps.

[1st Maine Trooper]

James,
Please expound on the statement you made that mounted infantry accompanied mounted cavalry and horse srtillery units to provide additional firepower. Where did you glean this nugget of information?

Dave Myrick

[Longbranch 1]

Mounted infantry was used to accompany cavalry and horse artillery to provide additional firepower. In the absence of a cavalry force, mounted infantry could assume some of the traditional cavalry duties: reconnaisance, patrolling, advanced and rear guards, etc. The main difference is that the mounted infantryman was usually armed with some type of rifle (although my g-grandfather who was in Wilders Brigade carried a carbine) and fought on foot. The cavalryman typically carried a carbine and could fight either mounted or dismounted with pistol, sabre, or carbine.

Here's a quotation from LT. Julius Penn's article, "Mounted Infantry" in the November 1891 issue of the Journal of the Military Service Intitution of the United States: "All cavalry in the future, all mounted troops, ought to be mounted infantry, that is to say, all mounted troops ought to be armed with long range guns, carbines or rifles, and with little else, and be prepared to do most of the fighting on foot. In my four years' experience as a cavalry officer, - as a company, battalion, regimental, brigade, and division commander, participating in most of the battles of General Lee's Army of Northern Virginia; and from January, 1865, to the surrender in May, with General J.E. Johnston, - I rarely had the occasion to use either the sabre or pistol." GEN M.C. Butler

While this doesn't answer your question exactly, it may provide some insight. I hope it helps.

Thanks for the citation,

That reading is now on my list.

Still begging the question of issued pistols and sabres to enlisted men in Mounted infantry.
Gen Butler/ even in a lower position of Co. Commander would nominally have held a rank of 2nd Lt., and therefore , as an officer, been entitled to both pistol and sabre.

I look forward to researching the above source and any others that may follow.

Thanks and Regards to all,

Kevin Ellis,
26th NCT

[James Brenner]

Dave,

The source is Penn's article on mounted infantry.

Jim

[Mississippian]

I had several members of my family in the 2nd and 3rd NCMI, and from some of my research at the national archives and the few surviving pictures of the soldiers, I can tell you that they were a very irregular unit. Most of the fighting that they did was "bushwacking" C.S. Home Guard and pro-C.S. civilians. They were considered by the C.S. Government as little better than bandits and sometimes they were worse than bandits. The name of George Kirk struck fear into the hearts of many civilians in Western N.C.

Another thing to keep in mind is that they almost NEVER fought together as one unit, it was much more common for them to be patroling and bushwacking in smaller groups. Also, for alot of the time, esp for the 2nd NCMI, the regiment was never fully mounted, and when it was mounted, it wasn't with an "issue" horse, it was with stolen horses and mules from pro-C.S. civilians.

Weapons: Going through the Nat. Archives and the deserter lists, I found out that the unit was equiped with both Spencer Rifles and regular Springfield Rifle Muskets. But there is one picture of the Kirk brothers with Henry Rifles! There are a couple of photos of enlisted men with pistols, but they may or may not be props. I have never seen a record of anybody but officers having sabers. As an aside, there is one story of how George Kirk was able to buy Spencer Rifles for his unit by selling stolen goods from his raids into N.C. but I don't know if this is true.

Equipment and Clothing: Most of the clothing would have been federal issue, I see alot of sack coats in the archive records but a dress coat pops up now and then. There is even one photo of an enlisted man wearing an odd-trimed Mounted Service jacket. Hats are a bit of a different story, as the only photos I have seen of enlisted NCMI troops has them in civilian hats with otherwise regular federal uniform coats and trousers. As for equipment, the records show all the usual gear issued, including knapsacks and overcoats. The big question is what gear was issued with the spencer rifles, those guys who got regular Springfields got the usual leathers to go with it. But I still have no idea what came with the Spencers.

Will MacDonald

[Roy Queen]

"Kirks Raiders: A Notorious Band of Scoundrels and Thieves" in my opinion is a very well writtten book. It is an eye opener as to how ruthless Colonel George Kirk was.

Roy Queen
Co B 3rd Confederate Engineer Regiment

[RJSamp]

Comrades,

Not trying to stir any flames.
While I am awaiting arrival of 2 volumes ( Kirk's Raiders, A Notorious Band Of Villains and Thieves , and, The Regimental History of the 3rd NC Mounted Infantry U.S.), I have a couple of quick questions;

(A) As an INFANTRY unit, I would think that actual deployment in an engagement would normally be as Infantry. But according to an internet source. ( Hey, I know! )these soldiers were issued Spencer repeating rifles. Does anyone have any knowledge that they were issued weapons or accoutrements that are more usually associated with Cav. Pistols, Sabres, Spurs, etc?

( B ) WAS there any difference in tactics or deployment as differentiated from the "Leg" infantry? If so, just a hint toward an initial source that I could research would be appreciated.

( C ) Any other sources you might recommend regarding Mounted Infantry?


( D ) Is anyone in the community portraying Mounted Inf.?

That is probably clear as mud, but thanks in advance for any replies.

Regards,
Kevin Ellis,
26th NCT

There's a 9th ILL book out (not Die Neuner that's about the 9th Ohio)....they went to MULES and Springfield rifles in 1863 (German unit). they fought dismounted shoulder to shoulder in two ranks. No sabers. Dropped the Fifers and Drummers and went to Bugle.


Wilder's Brigade ("Blue Lightning") a good book on mounted infantry, they generally fought in looser/single rank formations due to firepower (no need for shoulder to shoulder double ranks). No Sabers. Dropped the Fifers and Drummers and went to Bugle.

I don't know of a book on the 4th Wisconsin Cavalry, they converted over from Infantry in 1863. This might be revealing in how they fought, trained, etc. to convert from Leg Infantry to mounted cavalry, and if they were in fact Mounted Rifles.... Dropped the Fifers and Drummers and went to Bugle.

Kyd's book on the Michigan Cavalry Brigade is excellent....5th and 6th MI Cavalry were armed with Repeating RIFLES, not carbines. They fought generally as skirmishers, single rank open order. At Trevellian's 2nd Day they assaulted across open country in tighter formations than skirmish order, but still single rank (they had converted from Cooke's single rank mounted to Poinsett's double rank mounted in Jan - March 1864). They still carried Pistols and Sabers (the 1st and 7th MI were the designated 'saber' regiments).

There's a couple of great quotes in Scott's book on the 4th Iowa Cavalry: "The Story of a Cavalry Regiment". When they were issued Spencer Repeaters they Returned their Pistol's and Retained their Sabers....the weight saved in the pistols/caps/cartridges was replaced with additional carbine ammo. When their regiment/brigade dismounted and fought on foot at Brice's Crossroads, they left their spurs and sabers ON the horses. They continued this practice at Big Blue River (Byram's Ford October 23rd, 1864). We know one officer for certain who changed from riding boots to 'slippers' for crossing the ford (Colonel Phillips who replaced Brown when Pleasonton relieved Brown from command due to inaction).

So In General.....if they were armed with single shot MUZZLE loaders, they fought in two ranks shoulder to shoulder.....else they fought in skirmish order, single rank, situation determined intervals.

Remember that massing troops was to maximize the down range killing ability/coverage....a wall of lead. The rapid fire of the repeaters/breach loaders mitigated the need to concentrate troops (who in turn could be killed easier as they were bunched up!). They could spread out, take cover, fire from prone position....and load without being as exposed as a muzzle loader forces you to be (arms extended even if lying on your back for example).

[csabugler]

Others can quote and document the actual use of MI during the war, but regarding use in the reenacting field, the Critters do Federal MI a lot. We usually document the accoutrements of the unit we are portraying, and are almost always armed with Spencers (those who have them) and no sabers or side arms. As little cav trim as possible. We usually fight as flankers or skirmishers, on foot as much as the action allows.
The skirmish fighting may well be a result of our small numbers, usually 12 -18. But that is how we usually wind up doing it.