7th Kansas Spencers

[bluesuit01]

Thought this might be of interest. According to Stephen Starr's Jennison's Jayhawkers: A Civil War Cavalry Regiment and it's Commander, the 7th Kansas was armed with Spencers at the end of the war. Upon muster out the men could buy their carbines for $10 if they desired. Earlier in the war, the regiment had been armed with the Colt Revolving Rifle.

[Two Flints]

A bit more info on the 7th Kansas:

The 7th Kansas Volunteer Cavalry was formed at Ft. Leavenworth, Kansas on 28 Oct., 1861 with 902 officers and men. Charles R. Jennison was appointed Col.

For the first 7 months the 7th was known as "Jennison's Regiment".

The 7th was formed as the 1st Kansas Volunteer Cavalry. The first weapons issued from Fort Leavenworth was Belgian muskets, Austrian carbines whose hammers were prone to break when fired, and the cartridges that were available were too small. Also obsolete Dragoon pistols mounted on temporary stocks and other make shifts weapons.

On 19 October '61 complete uniforms were issued. A few days later horses were issued, and sorted by color.

Companies A, B, H, were issued Sharps Carbines, Navy revolvers & sabers. The others companies had to make do with what they had.

It wasn't until the end of 1863 that Gen. Rosecrans personal intervention gave the 7th Colt Revolving Rifles for the remaining 7 companies.

It took till November of '64 for the regiment to be issued Spencer Carbines. The good weapons very seldom got issued to the Western troops. The Eastern troops got them first!

The 7th became a full-fledged regiment of cavalry in October '61.

On October 28th it was mustered in US service. And on the 8th of November '61 the 7th became a fighting regiment.

The standard strength for a Civil War Cavalry Regiment was 12 companies. The 7th was mustered in with only 10.

Two Flints