The Louisiana in the Civil War Message Board

Re: Researching Equipment
In Response To: Re: Researching Equipment ()

Records for ordnance issued to Confederate troops exist, but the effort required to extract them is like panning for gold. There's no single resource to check, and trying to locate specifics for a single company is like shooting for the moon.

For arms issued in 1860-61, the State of Louisiana should have a collection in the Governor's papers designated 'military' or something like that. For arms being used by regiments serving with ANVa or AT in 1864, NARA collection M935 titled Inspection Reports and Related Records Received by the Inspection Branch in the Confederate Adjutant and Inspector General's Office will provide that information. There are eighteen reels, the first being a guide of sorts. About 80% of this material dates from 1864-65.

For the midwar period (late 1861 through early 1864), you'll have to search service files of ordnance officers at the brigade, division and corps level. Sometimes a relevant paper on arms appears in a senior commanding officer's file. Match that with hints from the Official Records and occasional snippets from letters and diaries, and you may have something.

You can search service files of company officers to for receipts of clothing and equipment issued, but descriptions are almost always generic -- haversacks, canteens, shirts, drawers, hats, overcoats, socks, shoes &c. Inspection reports for 1864 will provide the same information, but as a reverse image, so to speak. These reports list items needed to supply the needs of a brigade.

I'll be glad to try to answer other questions. Bottom line -- it ain't nearly as easy as some folks might lead you to believe.

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