My question is would he keep a weapon while he was hospitalized. To me this seems to be a waste of potentially a valuable weapon. If I had been a commander I would have had him turn in his weapon, especially if I knew combat was imminent, so that I could use the weapon. ( typical tactic was to have one soldier load, and another shot after all) Also if he got worse during hospitalization it would prevent the possibility of the weapon being stolen. When he returned ( well if he returned) I would reissue it to him.

I suspect the Confederates would have had tighter controls over weapons then the Union Army simply because a weapon was harder to replace.

Thanks again for all this help

PS About the soldier with the Spencer Carbine,do you know if he actually had the weapon with him at the hospital?