A Brief Look at Erastus Blakeslee - 10 Tube Blakeslee Photos Added

[Two Flints]

Erastus Blakeslee

Blakeslee did not invent the Spencer Carbine, he just made it more convenient to use.
Repeating weapons effectively increased the ability of the Cavalry to defend itself.
Federal Cavalry came to be armed with more effective repeating weapons like the Spencer
as the war progressed. Confederates were equally inventive, but their manufacturing
facilities -- already strained by war production -- just could not master the production
of non-reusable metallic cartridges.

Federal authorities feared that repeating weapons would cause soldiers to expend their
ammunition too quickly and out run their supply. Blakeslee addressed the need for troopers
to carry large quanties of ammunition with them with the introduction of the "Blakeslee Box."

Erastus Blakeslee made Colonel in 1864 and Brevet Brigadier General in 1865 was Commander of
the 1st Connecticut Cavalry and inventor of the Blakeslee Box (pictured below).



Shown below is the cavalry model of the Blakeslee Cartridge box, 10-tube variety. One of 10,000
manufactured by the Federals in an effort to further increase the firepower advantage of the
Spencer Carbines and Rifles.They were first issued to the 1st Conn. Cav. in 1864. This box is
marked on the face "BLAKESLEE CARTRIDGE BOX" over "U.S." and "Patented Dec. 20, 1864/Reissued
Feb 7, 1865" manufactured by "W.H.Wilkinson/Springfield, Mass."

[Deadeye Don]

Two Flints,  Thanks so much for the interesting article.  It is always nice to be able to associate a person with an invention.  I went ahead and ordered the 6 tube box from Blockade Runner.  I know the 10 tube box was much more common, but I figure that 6 tubes will be adequate for my purposes.  You cant beat their price.  Safe shooting. Deadeye.

[Harve Curry]

It looks to me like that would be very uncomfortable for a cavalry trooper.  Having another 8 pounds or so smacking against you at the trot or gallop would get old fast. I wonder if they welll thought of by the cavalrymen?

[Fox Creek Kid]

http://www.findagrave.com/cgi-bin/fg.cgi?page=gr&GRid=7271538

[Two Flints]

Fox Creek Kid,

Thanks for the link. 

T.F.

[Harve Curry]

Kinda off topic, but there were probably Spencers there, at the
http://www.findagrave.com  , search Thomas Boyne,
a black sargent in the 9th cavalry out of Ft.Bayard , NM, under command of Capatin Beyers. Their troop was on patrol riding east off the continental divide down a canyon now known as Beyers Run, looking for Victorio ( near my place) and got into a battle with him.
Sgt. Thomas Boyne was awarded the Medal of Honor for his actions there and at another battle 10 miles east a few months later.
Frank Dorsey was KIA there and is presumed buried there. 3 to 5 ponderosa pines were carved a cross by the surving troopers marking the spots where troopers were killed or buried. Only one tree remains and I posted a photo of it at findagrave.com Thomas Boyne

[Fox Creek Kid]

Harve, that happened in 1879 and they had Trapdoors. It's listed in the "Encylopedia of Indian Wars" by Gregory Michno.

[Two Flints]

Hello SSS,

Found these great photos of a Ten Tube Blakeslee.

[Deadeye Don]

 If I were going into battle I would surely want the ten tube model, but since I am not....the 6 tube model will do me just fine.   

Safe shooting. Deadeye.