Correct North Carolina Infantryman Arms

[Archie R. Lib]

Gents -

I have done some research on this topic through ANV Inspection reports (thanks mainly to Jim Schruefer's new website at www.blueandgraymarching.com) and other primary and secondary sources that I have access to, but I want to ensure that my portrayal is as correct as I can make it.

I portray a North Carolina infantryman, mid-war (July 62-July 64). My great (x4) grandfather, Andrew J. Martin, was a private in Company H, and I am looking for input on the most correct musket/rifled musket/rifle to carry. Unfortunately, much information is lacking with regards to the equipage of Scales' (formerly Pettigrew's, then Pender's) Brigade in AP Hill's Corps of which my unit was a part for the duration of the war.

So, I posted this poll for a tool to help make this decision. There are several there to vote on, all I ask is that you post a comment with the info to support your choice. I'm sure there are sources out there that I am not aware of, and I am always looking for that kind of information. Also, if your choice is not on the poll, please post it anyway and let me know the source of your information.

I know that Wilmington was a busy port for blockade runners, so imports were always finding their way into Tarheel hands, but I don't want to make any assumptions...

Thanks in advance for any help.

R

[4VADRUMMER]

Considering the Confederacy imported somewhere in the neighborhood of 400,000 Enfields during the war it's probably going to be your best bet for post 62 timeframe. Paired with the fact that one of the main blockade runner hubs was in North Carolina, you can't go wrong with using an Enfield. Domestic production of weapons in the south was poor at best. That's why Caleb Huse was sent to Europe as soon as possible to buy up as much weaponry as possible to meet the south's needs. Enfield rifles were one of his first purchases!

[wade03]

I would go with the Enfield for mid war. I know a whole lot of NC troops were issued 1816 conversions in the beginning of the war from photos and local relic finds. You also left out two rifles the Fayettville rifle, and one of those contract NC rifles that look like a Mississippi rifle but don't have the patch box, I've viewed several of both of those rifles attributed to NC troops.

[lukegilly13]

I'm voting '42 smoothbore. Yes the Enfield would probably be a great choice as well. However, I'm stating the Lisk Box....the Box recovered (from I believed Fredericksburg). It is a .69 caliber round ball cartridge box. Lisk didn't enlist until March of '62 and was captured in March of '64. Maybe not the same folks...but we're still talking mid war NC solider in the ANV.

[Vuhginyuh]

The 27th was issued Enfields during the summer of '63...but (fortunately) they were in Charleston that fateful July.

[Prodical Reb]

one would think that a Fayetteville Rifle would have been a choice, Fayetteville Armory being in NC. unless your lumping those into the Harpers Ferry 1855 rifle category

[Vuhginyuh]

Neill Maultsby. b 1833. Winter 1864
1st Sgt, Co. H, 51 NC, Columbus Light Infantry.
A Goldsboro Bridge participant.




H.Mintz collection. Do not reproduce.

[Vuhginyuh]

NC issued thousands of rifled conversions through the Fall of 1862 (as per NCDoAH Records, Form 40 and Form 20 requistions...listed as "common rifles").

[Archie R. Lib]

one would think that a Fayetteville Rifle would have been a choice, Fayetteville Armory being in NC. unless your lumping those into the Harpers Ferry 1855 rifle category

Hey Michael. Very good point. Yes, I'd be including the Fayetteville in with the 55 Harper's Ferry Rifle.

[Mississippian]

Here are two well researched articles from the North State Rifles regarding the arms and equipment of the 38th N.C., which was in the same brigade as the 22nd and was probably VERY similar in arms and equipment. I'll let you all read it and draw your own conclusions.

http://www.northstaterifles.com/38-2.htm

http://www.northstaterifles.com/38.htm

Will MacDonald