During the last few years, I have made several references to the logistical problems in the Union Cavalry Corps, created by the different models and caliber of carbines carried by the men. I have also, especially recently, referenced what I term ‘the mythical horn of plenty’ within the Cavalry Corps. In doing so, I do not mean to ignore or dismiss the many similar challenges faced by the Southern cavalry.
The difficulty addressing the question from a Southern perspective lies in finding contemporary records that document the problems. Compared to the vast quantity of records available for the Union armies, the record trail for the Southern cavalry is virtually non-existent. But some records are available, and I am posting one here.
I apologize in advance for not having had the time to develop the information further or to make any necessary corrections. The records may be found in Capt. Reuben Boston’s military service record, 5th Virginia Cavalry, available on Fold 3.
The first document is titled Inventory of Stores turned over to the Quartermaster for Transportation, June 30, 1864, by Captain Boston, 5th Virginia Cavalry.
“2 Pittsylvania Carbines
2 Sharps and Hankins Carbines
3 Enfield Rifles
52 Austrian Rifles
1 Smith Carbine
1 Starr Carbine
7 Sharps Carbines
21 Richmond Carbines .58 cal.
3 Burnside Carbines
2 [Ker’s] Pistols
9 Sabres
18 [Ammo] Boxes”
Beyond the wide variety of rifles and carbines, there is an equally wide variety of ammunition and percussion systems. Off the top of my head, only the 9th New York Cavalry carried the Sharps and Hankins Carbine, and we might safely assume those two weapons had been taken from men in the 9th New York.
A second document enumerates ordnance distributed to the regiment during the same period, including, in part:
“25 Austrian Rifles
72 Sharps Rifles
130 Richmond Rifles, .58
4 Burnside Carbines
234 [Ker’s] Pistols
39 Sabres
30,000 cartridges .52
5000 cartridges .54
17,115 cartridges .58
5158 Colt Army cartridges
3000 Colt Navy cartridges
635 Merrill Carbine cartridges
40 Smith Carbine cartridges”
Small But Important Riots 
What a hodge podge of weapons!! Still, if both lists should be added together, the total number is rather good. But then I do not know how many men the regiment had at the time. I have read that in ’63 a CSA cavalry regiment usually only had one squadron armed with carbines and/or rifles.
Tom Bookwalter
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Great to hear from you, Tom. I agree that Stuart grouped his limited numbers of carbines into one or two squadrons, as the most effective means of overcoming the overall lack of weapons. But I wish I could find contemporary records to develop that story further.
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cartridges today sell for over one dollar a round. I have often wondered what the Armies of the North and the South paid?
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Without doing a really deep search, it looks like $20 per 1,000 was rather standard between 1861-1863. Based upon one document I have, the price may have gone up a bit in 1864 to $22 or more per 1,000. According to one online inflation calculator, $20 in 1861 equals about $711 today.
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Thanks for bringing this information to light. Really highlights the logistical challenges the south faced.
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Interesting variety of weaponry! The archaeology from these battles certainly reflects a wide variety of Southern ammunition for these arms. Do you know if there are any surviving documents from Richmond concerning the types of ammunition supplied for the Campaign? Curious to see if they include a particular type of round in their reporting.
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I am not aware of such ordnance records surviving at the National Archives. However, if you have the time, and it will take time, you can look at the Compiled Service Records for the officers in the 5th VA, which you can find on Fold3. They had to sign for such things as ammunition, forage, and more. You might find the information you are looking for that way.
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