Shiloh

[John of the Skulkers Mess]

Found reference to a Federal adjutant searching for ammunition in the camp of 8th Ill. Inf. during the battle of Shiloh. Account is supposed to be in the ORs. Can anyone provide more info/quote?

T'anks,
John Pillers
TSM

[John of the Skulkers Mess]

bumpling....

[Brian Baird]

John,
The passage you are looking for is from A. H. Ryan, Acting Asst. Adj-General:

...Searching through the encampment of the Eighth Illinois Regiment, I found ammunition and carried it to the brigade, but it proved to be of a wrong caliber. Learning that it could be used by the Eleventh Regiment Illinois Volunteer Infantry, I turned it over to Colonel Ransom, commanding. ...

Let me know if you want the complete report.
Brian Baird

[BumpusTN]

O.R. Volume 10, Series 1, page 140. It is in the Reports volume.


Scott Bumpus

[John of the Skulkers Mess]

T'anks fellows. I was wondering if it mentioned what caliber.

Another 8th Illinoisophile,
John Pillers
TSM

[Brian Baird]

John,
I don't have the book ARMING THE SUCKERS. Maybe it would give you the info. I think Shoe has a copy of it.
Brian Baird

[BrownBlanketMess]

Brian and John,

The Field and Staff Books in the Illinois State Archives and also Arming the Suckers pg 72 states:

"December 1862: At first the regiment [8th Illinois] was armed with the smooth-bore muskets which it had first received at Springfield. They were used by the whole battalion until after Shiloh battle, when a large number of the muskets were exchanged for Enfield and other rifles gathered from the field. At the present time [December 1862] it has seven different kinds of arms, with three different calibres."

There is no solid mention of type of arms carried by the 11th Illinois during April 62 in Arming the Suckers what is stated on Page 77 is:

"Springfield [Illinois] Arsenal May 5, 1861: "Colonel Wallace will find the navy revolvers in powder keg, the swords and holsters in a gunny bag. The cartridges for the 86 Minnie muskets are marked calibre .58 and are marked on the top for Minies. [sic]" M.L. Duff Ordnance Storekeeper"

Also the earliest returns listed in Arming the Suckers p77 for the 11th Illinois are for 4th Qtr 1862.

Q.O.S. Infantry 4th Qtr. 1862

U.S. R.M. m/1855-1863 .58 26
Enfield R.M. .577 189
U.S. R.M. m/1842. .69 26
Belgian or French R.M. brass or bright mounted. 69. 30

I'm thinking most likely he picked up .58 cal. ammo and needed .69 cal. so passed it along to the 11th. Just my thought.

Steve LaBarre
Corn Fed Comrades