Even the Enemy Did Not Want Them – Merrill vs Burnside Carbines
On the quarterly ordnance return for March 30, 1863, the men of the 18th Pennsylvania Cavalry reported carrying the Merrill carbine exclusively; 555 Merrills in nine companies. On the June 30 report, the men carried 337 Burnside carbines and only Burnsides. On the September 30 return, the men of 11 companies reported carrying 528 Burnsides…