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| Saturday June 29, 1861 |
Weekly Arkansas Gazette
June 29, 1861,
(Little Rock)
Published in the Weekly Arkansas Gazette
Messrs. Editors: Allow me to suggest that although approved rifles
and muskets may be scarce in the Southern States, we have a
most efficient weapon in the above named piece; and if, as some
estimate, there be three of four hundred thousand of these arms
in the South, and in excellent order too, we are better off than
some suppose. And it should be suggested through the press,
that our citizens should gather, put in order, and keep in
readiness in a safe place, all these arms (as indeed they should
all guns, pistols, swords, knives, etc.) for they are really as
effective weapons as we have—as all used to them know—
whether loaded with ball, buckshot, or slugs. All our citizens know
how to load and shoot this arm as speedily and well as they do
the rifle, and it is almost invariably their chosen weapon of
defense against deadly attack.
Indeed, I doubt not that this, from its efficiency and our familiarity
with it, will be, with proper auxiliary arms and ammunition, the best
weapon we can have for that guerilla warfare which we ought to
prepare for, and which, perhaps, we may be compelled to wage.
The minnie ball is probably well adapted to this gun as to the rifle
or musket. Its expansion will cause it to be shot as far and as
forcibly, almost as accurately, and quite as destructively, from that
as from these. Any skillful blacksmith can make minnie bullet
moulds.
Such artisan could also make and fit a knife-bayonet to the
weapon, thus making it in some degree fit for infantry.
The fire of a body of men thus armed would be quite destructive;
minnie balls being used for distant shots, while, on nearing the
enemy, cartridges loaded heavily with buckshot or slugs, could be
used.
Where these are not sufficient muskets or rifles—if in no other
contingency—our militia or infantry should be drilled with these
weapons. I know an infantry company using them, and a troop
that intend to substitute them for carbines, and I understand that
a company of mounted gun-men is being formed in Tennessee,
who expect to be armed with heavy double barreled shot guns,
instead of rifles.
I will also suggest, in conclusion, as a measure of safety, that not
only should these and all other arms be gathered up and kept in a
secure place under lock, but that there should be on every
plantation a good tool house, (which, by the way, is excellent
economy in ordinary times,) where everything that could be used
as offensive weapons should be securely kept, instead of lying
loose about the plantation.
Respectfully,S.
New Orleans, June 8.
June 29, 1861,
(Little Rock)
Published in the Weekly Arkansas Gazette
Messrs. Editors: Allow me to suggest that although approved rifles
and muskets may be scarce in the Southern States, we have a
most efficient weapon in the above named piece; and if, as some
estimate, there be three of four hundred thousand of these arms
in the South, and in excellent order too, we are better off than
some suppose. And it should be suggested through the press,
that our citizens should gather, put in order, and keep in
readiness in a safe place, all these arms (as indeed they should
all guns, pistols, swords, knives, etc.) for they are really as
effective weapons as we have—as all used to them know—
whether loaded with ball, buckshot, or slugs. All our citizens know
how to load and shoot this arm as speedily and well as they do
the rifle, and it is almost invariably their chosen weapon of
defense against deadly attack.
Indeed, I doubt not that this, from its efficiency and our familiarity
with it, will be, with proper auxiliary arms and ammunition, the best
weapon we can have for that guerilla warfare which we ought to
prepare for, and which, perhaps, we may be compelled to wage.
The minnie ball is probably well adapted to this gun as to the rifle
or musket. Its expansion will cause it to be shot as far and as
forcibly, almost as accurately, and quite as destructively, from that
as from these. Any skillful blacksmith can make minnie bullet
moulds.
Such artisan could also make and fit a knife-bayonet to the
weapon, thus making it in some degree fit for infantry.
The fire of a body of men thus armed would be quite destructive;
minnie balls being used for distant shots, while, on nearing the
enemy, cartridges loaded heavily with buckshot or slugs, could be
used.
Where these are not sufficient muskets or rifles—if in no other
contingency—our militia or infantry should be drilled with these
weapons. I know an infantry company using them, and a troop
that intend to substitute them for carbines, and I understand that
a company of mounted gun-men is being formed in Tennessee,
who expect to be armed with heavy double barreled shot guns,
instead of rifles.
I will also suggest, in conclusion, as a measure of safety, that not
only should these and all other arms be gathered up and kept in a
secure place under lock, but that there should be on every
plantation a good tool house, (which, by the way, is excellent
economy in ordinary times,) where everything that could be used
as offensive weapons should be securely kept, instead of lying
loose about the plantation.
Respectfully,S.
New Orleans, June 8.