Spencers and the 2nd Mass. Volunteer Cavalry (California 100)

[Tuolumne Lawman]

Joe B.

I am mustering into the above NCWA unit as a private, and wish to use the spencer rifle.  I have located information confirming Spencer's and Spencer cartridge boxes linked to original 2nd Mass members. The unit historian, Larry Rogers, (a decendant of an original member) agrees, and thinks it was early 1864 that they got the Spencers. They depict an 1863 version of the unit, and have mostly Sharps carbines.  If I can track the use of Spencers by them in 1863,  I can use my infantry rifle.  I see references to in 1st Mass having a hand made one in 1862, and the 7th Michigan had the Spencer rifles at Gettysburg in 1863.  I couldn't find any reference to 2nd Mass in your book.

HELP!

Bernie

[Cannon Fodder]

Dear Tuolumne (how do you pronounce that?) Lawman,

I have enjoyed  your many  Spencer/Henry/other articles  in the various publications.

This is probably something you already have  but in checking  John D McAulay's " Civil War Breech Loading  Rifles"(forgive the quotation marks- I dont know how to underline!) on page  107 , the 2nd Mass Cav is listed as having Spencer  rifles.

Best,

Cannon Fodder

[Forty Rod]

Too-All-uh-me.

[Two Flints]

Hi T.L.,

Please wait for Joe B. to respond to your question on when Spencers were first issued or used by the 2nd Massachusetts Volunteer cavalry.  Checking my references I found the earliest date that Spencers were used by the California troop of 500 assigned to their parent company the 2nd Massachusetts Cavalry Volunteers was April, 1864.

But, I don't have all the research materials here at my home, but some are in another state.

Two Flints

[Tuolumne Lawman]

Howdy,

That's what our historian said also.  Oh well,. I do like the 63 Sharps anyway<g>.  I'll get one from Tammy to do an article on<g>.