Enfield Musketoon usage in the Civil War?

DavidB2 · March 6, 2016, 01:59 PM

I recently purchased an Enfield Musketoon. I am curious about their usage in combat in the Civil War. I understand that they were used most often by Calvary units; especially Conferate Calvary. Also, they were used by artillery units. I would appreciate any specific information that cites their usage in actual combat. Thanks for any info and/or links to information.

Model12Win · March 6, 2016, 09:22 PM

I believe they were very rare. Easily the rarest Enfields imported during the war.

bedbugbilly · March 7, 2016, 10:53 PM

As far as "Artillery use" . . . during the Civil War, most of the artillerymen did not carry firearms other than perhaps the officers and "some" non-commissioned officers. The job of an artilleryman was to "serve the piece" at all times. Those serving the piece were familiar with the job of each man so that if wounded or killed, they could step in, sometimes having to do the job of several men, in order to keep the piece in operation. Think about it . . . with the enemy advancing on the ranks of the opposition (whether it be North or South), if artillerymen were armed, they would be prone to stop "working the piece" and resort to their personal weapons to defend themselves . . . thus, the artillery piece would fall silent . . . and thus no canister delivered into the ranks of the opposition.

Most Northern artillerymen were supplied with artillery sabers . . . which were quickly abandoned by many along side the road as what real use did they have for them? Again, their job was to "serve the piece" and keep it in action in support of their own army.

**4V50 Gary** · March 7, 2016, 11:31 PM

There were times when the Corn-feds issued rifles to its artillerymen. Most of the time however they were expected to serve their pieces.

James K · March 9, 2016, 01:16 AM

Field artillerymen usually didn't need individual weapons, but garrison/fort artillerymen were issued weapons so they could help the infantry if the fort was under attack and the guns were either out of action or made useless by the situation.

Jim

**4V50 Gary** · March 9, 2016, 01:20 AM

Conf. Gen. Armistead Long of Bradley Johnston's Division, Ewell's II Corps, procured enough rifles to equip two battalions to defend their guns and their camp.

March 6, 2016, 01:59 PM	#1
DavidB2 Senior Member Join Date: March 8, 2008 Posts: 129	Enfield Musketoon usage in the Civil War? I recently purchased an Enfield Musketoon. I am curious about their usage in combat in the Civil War. I understand that they were used most often by Calvary units; especially Conferate Calvary. Also, they were used by artillery units. I would appreciate any specific information that cites their usage in actual combat. Thanks for any info and/or links to information.

March 7, 2016, 10:53 PM	#3
bedbugbilly Senior Member Join Date: November 19, 2009 Posts: 3,290	As far as "Artillery use" . . . during the Civil War, most of the artillerymen did not carry firearms other than perhaps the officers and "some" non-commissioned officers. The job of an artilleryman was to "serve the piece" at all times. Those serving the piece were familiar with the job of each man so that if wounded or killed, they could step in, sometimes having to do the job of several men, in order to keep the piece in operation. Think about it . . . with the enemy advancing on the ranks of the opposition (whether it be North or South), if artillerymen were armed, they would be prone to stop "working the piece" and resort to their personal weapons to defend themselves . . . thus, the artillery piece would fall silent . . . and thus no canister delivered into the ranks of the opposition. Most Northern artillerymen were supplied with artillery sabers . . . which were quickly abandoned by many along side the road as what real use did they have for them? Again, their job was to "serve the piece" and keep it in action in support of their own army. __________________ If a pair of '51 Navies were good enough for Billy Hickok, then a single Navy on my right hip is good enough for me . . . besides . . . I'm probably only half as good as he was anyways. Hiram's Rangers Badge #63

March 7, 2016, 11:31 PM	#4
4V50 Gary Staff Join Date: November 2, 1998 Location: Colorado Posts: 22,289	There were times when the Corn-feds issued rifles to its artillerymen. Most of the time however they were expected to serve their pieces. __________________ Vigilantibus et non dormientibus jura subveniunt. *Molon Labe!*

March 9, 2016, 01:20 AM	#6
4V50 Gary Staff Join Date: November 2, 1998 Location: Colorado Posts: 22,289	Conf. Gen. Armistead Long of Bradley Johnston's Division, Ewell's II Corps, procured enough rifles to equip two battalions to defend their guns and their camp. __________________ Vigilantibus et non dormientibus jura subveniunt. *Molon Labe!*

March 6, 2016, 09:22 PM	#2
Model12Win Junior member Join Date: October 20, 2012 Posts: 5,854	I believe they were very rare. Easily the rarest Enfields imported during the war.

March 9, 2016, 01:16 AM	#5
James K Member In Memoriam Join Date: March 17, 1999 Posts: 24,383	Field artillerymen usually didn't need individual weapons, but garrison/fort artillerymen were issued weapons so they could help the infantry if the fort was under attack and the guns were either out of action or made useless by the situation. Jim