Scott,

Even though the assaulting troops at Fort Pillow were Kentucky and Tennessee (and if I remember correctly Missouri) regiments this account supports my contention that most CS cavalry (including Alabama) carried and used revolvers. A few researchers have made the claim or at least intimated that because some ordinance reports don't show at least a revolver per man then these Cavalry regiments generally did not carry them. I think we err if we place total faith in one source even (and sometimes especially) an official one.

There were a few Western CS regiments that were used as "light horse". That is they fought mainly mounted and were armed with revolvers and sabers only. The 8th CS Cav. (of Wheeler's Corp) carried shotguns through the first two years but discarded them before the Atlanta Campaign. The remainder of the war they carried no long arms at all but were brigaded with other regiments armed with rifles. (The source I am familiar with said Enfield carbines.) Some researchers have used the modern term "shock troops" in referring to these "light horse" regiments, though I think this is a misnomer. In battle they were used as a mounted reserve and sent in to pursue the enemy after they were repulsed.