I agree that the etrm "shock troops" may not be the best term, but don't know exactly what else to call it. There was apparently one regiment in each division that carried many more pistols than the others in the division. I would suspect that aws for a specific tactic....maybe to pursue an enemy in rout....? I think you're right in that the surviving ordnance reports probably don't tell the whole story. I suspect men were probably(?) carrying some personal firearms not on the reports. What units were carrying at various times in the war wasn't consistent throughout. They would get additional/replacement arms through capture when they could, such as the 53rd Alabama receiving captured weapons from Streight's raiders, and captured Enfields later, etc. Ordnance reports and inspections often showed inferior weapons, such as smoothbores. Why would a man keep a .69 smoothbore when he could replace it with a captured .58 Springfield or .577 Enfield? I think what each unit actually carried will never be answered to certainty. Reports only reflect that specific day. I've heard a term, "No combat ready unit ever passed inspection." In combat, the common soldier could care less what the rules are...he just wants to make it back home. So, why would he pass up the opportunity to pick up a pistol when he could....Would he always tell the inspector, maybe not.