Arming Ohio Part I

[Andrew Jarvi]

I appreciate the effort sir, I have the book and have been unable to locate any reference in the book. Thus the search goes on....

Many Thanks
Andrew Jarvi
5th USCT

When were the 63's issued? the regiment began forming in June, but officially in August of 63 but didn't leave Camp Delaware til November of 63 when they were sent to Norfolk.

[KathyBradford]

John and James,

This is very interesting. May I please put in a request for anything about the 21st, Companies A and F (7 GGG Uncles), 49th, Company K (2 cousins), and 178th, Company G (GG Grandfather) OVI?

Thank you,

[James Brenner]

Kathy and Andrew,

The Executive Documents don't break a regiment's weapons issue down by company, but here's what's listed for the 21st and 49th OVIs:

21st OVI - 800 U.S. rifle muskets, 69 cal., 200 Enfield rifle muskets.
49th OVI - 700 U.S. rifle muskets, 69 cal., 180 Enfield rifle muskets.

The Executive Documents list only those regiments in U.S. service and don't include the miltia or 100 days men.

Today seems like a good day to visit the Archives. I'll see what the Ordnance Summaries have to say on the 21st, 49th, 178th, 5th USCT, and 27th USCT.

[Canton Zouave]

I would be most interested in seeing the information on the 1st and 2nd OVM Uniforms. It would be nice to see what "Ohio" related information that we could post in any given areas. (My interests being 4th,13th, 19th, 76th, 104th, 107th OVI's, Williams Battery, 18th US...and assorted other Stark County Units)

The information on Guns issued to William's Battery is most helpful.


Andrew,

I will check and see with the Massillon Museum, to see if there is any reference to the weapons carried by the 127th, in Robert Pinn's memoirs.

[Andrew Jarvi]

Todd and James,
Many thanks to both of you. Hopefully when my schedule slows down I can make it down to Mansfield and out to Oberlin as they are not terribly far away from my home here in Madison. I really want to get to Oberlin though because next to the New Market Heights battlefield that is the mecca for 5th USCT re-enactors.

Andrew Jarvi
Capt. 5th USCT

[Agate]

Hi Folks,

Thank you James, you've saved me poor fingers some.

I don't have the page with the 1st through 26th. Looked in the three boxes of photocopies I have four times now, don't know what happened to it, but cant find it.

James, would very much appreciate it, and you could save me a trip to the library, if you would consider furnishing those.

I would be very glad to share the 1st and 2nd OVM articles Todd, pretty neat stuff, will start working on typing those out.


Regards,

John
John Sarver

[Canton Zouave]

Andrew,

It has been a while since I have looked at Robert Pinn's stuff, so if I can I will look and see what all they have and send you a deatiled list, or some photos. I know the Massillon Museum or the Ohio Military Museum has his Congressional Medal of Honor on display.


John,

I will be looking forward to seeing any and all of the Ohio information that you may have to post.

[James Brenner]

Kathy and Andrew - Here's what I found in the Ordnance Summaries. They're broken down by quarters that correspond to the calendar year: 1st quarter ends March 31, 2nd quarter ends June 30, etc. The lists that have been transcribed so far reflect what a unit had at the end of December 1862. For example, the 104th OVI mustered into service at the end of August 1862 and received Austrian Lorenz muskets. In November 1862, the regiment drew Enfields. These Summaries pick up where the Executive Documents left off.

1st Quarter 1863:

21st OVI: Company A - 48 Enfield rifle muskets, Company F - 64 Enfield rifle muskets plus 1 Austrian Lorenz, 54 cal.

49th OVI, Company K - 47 Springfield muskets lumped in the category of M1855, M1861, NA (National Armory, i.e. Harpers Ferry?), and contract.

2nd Quarter 1863:

21st OVI: Company A - 47 Colt Revolving Rifles with triangular bayonets plus 6 Enfields. Company F - 56 Colt Revolving Rifles with triangular bayonets and 12 Enfields

49th OVI, Company K - 45 Enfields

3rd Quarter 1863:

21st OVI: Company A - 24 Colt Revolving Rifles, Company F - 33 Colt Revolving Rifles plus 12 Enfields.

49th OVI, Company K - 45 Enfields

5th USCT 82 M1842 smoothbore muskets and 22 smoothbore Austrian/Prussian/French muskets caliber 69 to 72. (The Summary has these arms all in one category). The 5th USCT also had .69 caliber cartridge boxes, elongated ball.

4th Quarter 1863:

21st OVI: Company A - 26 Colt Revolving Rifles and 2 Enfields. Company F - 29 Colt Revolving Rifles and 9 Enfields.

49th OVI, Company K - 14 Enfields

5th USCT: 627 Springfield rifle muskets, M1855, M1861,M1863 plus .58 caliber cartridge boxes.

1st Quarter 1864:

21st OVI: Company A - 54 Enfield rifle muskets, Company F - 58 Enfield rifle muskets.

49th OVI, Company K - 14 Enfields

5th USCT - 677 Springfield rifle muskets (models listed as above)

2nd Quarter 1864:

21st OVI: Company A - 41 Enfield rifle muskets, Company F - 51 Enfield rifle muskets and 2 Springfield rifle muskets (a described above)

49th OVI, Company K - 26 Springfield rifle muskets.

5th USCT- 414 Springfields

27th USCT - 531 Enfield rifle muskets

3rd Quarter 1864:

21st OVI: Company A - 35 Enfields. Company F - 1 Springfield and 27 Enfields.

49th OVI, Company K - 17 Springfields

5th USCT - 594 Springfields

27th USCT - 491 Springfields and 217 Enfields. These were dispersed throughout the companies. In other words, a company would have both Enfields and Springfields.

4th Quarter 1864:

21st OVI: Company A - 1 Springfield and 26 Enfields. Company F - 1 Springfield and 35 Enfields.

49th OVI, Company K - 17 Springfields

5th USCT - 654 Springfields.

27th USCT - 491 Springfields and 217 Enfields.

The Summaries end at this point. It would be interesting to compare these Summaries against the company's muster rolls just to get an idea of strengths and losses. If these Summaries really do reflect unit strength, I think it's interesting how the USCTs tend to remain at much higher manning levels than the white units. Company K had 17 Springfields and the average USCT company was about 4 times that size.

Anyway, I hope you find this information useful.

[Eureka Independent]

Hi All,

Great Thread! Looking through I saw the Imported Pondir Muskets. I have one in my collection. I will post a pic of it when I get home.

Don S

[Freeborn]

James,
Could you be so kind as to tell me what the 127th (5th USCT) and the 27th USCT were issued? I have been told it was the 63' springfields but want it from a reliable source, i.e. you or Comrade Sarver. It would be most appreciated

Andrew Jarvi
Capt. 5th USCT

Hello Capt. Jarvi,

FWIW, William A. Gladstone in Men Of Color lists the 1863 Springfield as the weapon issued to the 5th (127th OVI).

He lists both the Springfield and the Enfield as issued to the 27th USCT -- model not specified. He includes the Official Army Register of the Volunteer Force of the United States Army, 1861-65, as one of his sources.

I would gladly defer to those who have ready access to official records.

freeborn