Actually the NC pattern sack was issued until the end of the war and great stockpiles of them were seized at the end of the war by Federal authorities and ironically were issued to German POW's at internment camps during WWI. I agree, however, that the regiment would likely been issued Richmond Depot Type II pattern shells prior to Gettysburg. This is supported by photographic images of several 26th soldiers in them who were later KIA at Gettysburg. Check out the website of the reactivated 26th NC at 26nc.org