After the remarkable success by Forrest at Brice’s Crossroads, the resulting capture of Federal arms and equipment certainly augmented supply to a great degree. For study, we turn to an inspection report of Rucker’s Brigade of Chalmer’s Division dated July 3rd, 1864 as a relative sample of what then might be typically found throughout Forrest’s Cavalry. 4. Consisting of 1,072 effective men from three regiments of Tennessee and Mississippi cavalry we find the following:
Arms: (1,018 total or 95% with long arms)
653 or 61% Infantry arms (Austrians, 69. Muskets, Enfield, Mississippi’s, and assorted others)
365 or 34% Carbines (Sharps, Maynard, Burnside)
461 or 43% Effective men with pistols (36. Colt Navy; 44. Colt Army, French Lafachuaux)
36 or 3 % Sabers (Most in Chalmer’s Division)
Cart. Boxes 1,130 or 105%
Cart Box Belts 701 or 65.4% (At least two-thirds infantry types- others varied)
Cap Boxes 1,073 or 100%
Waist Belts 1,042 or 97%
Saber Belts 41 or 4 % (Most in Chalmer’s Div., Duff’s 19th Mississippi)
* As an example of the impact of his captures, after the battle Forrest could now equip nearly 100% of these men with horse equipment. ..................