Wilder's Brigade and Henry rifles???????

[Sean Thornton]

On page 63 of Richard Baumgartner's excellent book entitled "Blue Lightning" he mentions "Although Wilder armed his command with the Spencer rifle, some members of the brigade opted privately to purchase 16-shot Henry rifles. By May 1863 all of 17th Indiana scouts carried Henrys".  I have not been able to find any other sources that mentioned the Wilder's Brigade also were armed in part with a few Henry rifles along with their Spencers.  I have searched about all combinations using the net and have not come up with anything so time to pick the brains of others with similar interest in the Henry rifle as well as the Spencer.

What I am after are any sources that anyone may know of that mention where Henry rifles were used by Wilder's Brigade.  Thank you in advanced for any help.  I already know that he wanted to buy Henry rifles for all of his command but could not find enough Henry rifles for sale. Evidently some Henry rifles were found.

Thanks again.

[Tuolumne Lawman]

Have you checked Joe Bilby's book "Revolution in Arms"?  I seem to remember him making reference to it.  It has been about 5 years since I read it, and no longer have a copy.  He has done an amazing job of research on repeaters.

[Sean Thornton]

After doing a lot of research and finding several sources I can say without a doubt that although Wilder's Brigade were armed mostly with Spencer rifles, over 1000, there were also several of the men armed with Henry repeating rifles, as many as 50 or more. It is interesting how some of the scouts for the 17th shot their way out of a situation with their Henry rifle where they probably would not have been able to do with a Spencer.

[Tuolumne Lawman]

excellent work!  Did you get that from Joe Bilby's book?

[Sean Thornton]

excellent work!  Did you get that from Joe Bilby's book?

While Joe's book is an excellent book and I have a copy of it, his book was not one of my sources.  Most of what I found was in either letters, newspaper accounts, diaries and email exchanges with Richard Baumgartner author of "Blue Lightning".  Anyone interested in Wilder's Brigade and his use of the Spencer rifle, "Blue Lightning" is a must read, it is an excellent book.  Also a must read of how the Henry repeating rifles were used in the Civil War is the web article or book at http://44henryrifle.webs.com/civilwarusage.htm

2013 will be the 150th anniversary of the Battle of Chickamauga.  We will be portraying the 17th Indiana Infantry regiment part of Wilder's Brigade.  We will have a mixture of Spencer rifles(not carbines) and Henry repeating rifles.  When Wilder referred to what kind of weapons his Brigade was armed with, most of the time he stated "breech-loading repeating rifles", this included both the Spencer Rifle and the Henry rifle.  

[Tuolumne Lawman]

I'm not surprised that Wilder would have both.  Under 75-100 yards, the Henry was superior to the Spencer, and would have had its place in the order of battle.  The Henry was sort of the MP40/PPsH41/Thompson of its day.

[Pay Dirt Norvelle]

As an aside I have heard the the 1st DC Cavalry was armed with Henrys.  Am I right or just mis-informed? 

[Tuolumne Lawman]

IIRC, both the Sword Henry book and Joe Bilby's "Revolution in Arms" recount the 1st DC Cavalry having them to do picket duty around the Capitol.

[Sean Thornton]

The government purchased 1731 Henry rifles of which only about 1000 of these were delievered during the war.  Most all of these were issued to the 1st DC Cavalry.  they actually did much more than picket duty as these were involved in several battles including Reams Station and the "Great Cattle Raid".  Unfortunately they ended up loosing close to 300 of their Henry rifles to the rebs in the Great Cattle Raid.  The 1st DC Cavalry became a part of the 1st Maine cavalry who were armed with Spencers.

[Trailrider]

I'm not surprised that Wilder would have both.  Under 75-100 yards, the Henry was superior to the Spencer, and would have had its place in the order of battle.  The Henry was sort of the MP40/PPsH41/Thompson of its day.

The "standard" infantry rifle was the muzzleloading single shot rifle musket, shooting a .58 caliber 500+ gr. Miinie ball backed by a 60 gr. charge of black powder.  That would make rapid-fire, repeating rifles...(sharp inhale), "Civil War assault rifles!" 

[wyldwylliam]

Cpl. Sean, that Chickamauga frolic should be very impressive, wish I could be there to see it. If anybody films it and posts it on utoob, I hope you'll give us a head's up.

Also, thanks a log for the link. I've seen it before but forgot about it. This time I'm going to print it out and put it with my other Henry materiel.

[matt45]

I think this has been hashed out before, but I'm simple minded.  If I am remembering right, the gov't didn't start supplying ammo for the Henry until 1864 (The Atlanta Campaign?).  My question is how did the individual soldier handle his own resupply?  The sutler?  As far as it goes, was Wilder's brigade resupplied w/ Class III by the supply chain?

[matt45]

I never thought I'd forget that s***, but I should have said CL V.  Anyway around it, I meant ammunition.

[Sean Thornton]

I think this has been hashed out before, but I'm simple minded.  If I am remembering right, the gov't didn't start supplying ammo for the Henry until 1864 (The Atlanta Campaign?).  My question is how did the individual soldier handle his own resupply?  The sutler?  As far as it goes, was Wilder's brigade resupplied w/ Class III by the supply chain?

I do know that Wilder did send a letter to Willian Henry Terrell the adjutant general of the state of Indiana inquiring about Henry ammunition. Terrell answered Wilder on May 29, 1863 where he states that he had contacted the War Dept. and enclosed a copy of the War Dept.'s letter to him.  The downside is that I have not located the War dept letter. How specifically they got their ammunition for the Henry rifles I am unsure of a direct connection but ammunition was purchased by states, individuals and the Federal government. Other regiments also were armed with Henry Repeating rifles in 1863 such as the 66th Illinois Infantry WSS as well as individual soldiers. Attaining ammunition for their rifles did not seem to be a problem however the source would be interesting to find out. The government did purchase well ver 4,000,000 rounds of Henry ammunition during the war. I seem to remember seeing somewhere 1863 the government provided ammo, I will have to check.