Meanwhile the four hundred Confederates, whom he had rightly judged to be posted in the woods in his rear, hearing the firing, had moved forward, and engaged the force under Major Rollins. Seeing a need for more modern weapo. As long as our ammunition held out we got along finely; being armed with breech loaders we could fire so rapidly that is was impossible for them to determine our numbers…… Men dropping out here and there, and what was still more alarming, our ammunition was nearly gone. Seize the spring between the thumb and forefinger of the right hand. We were there helpless, only 3 of us with arms and I considered the greater portion of my command captured. Not only does Major Davis have a Henry rifle he is also from the 3rd North Carolina Infantry, USA, which is a regiment that is known to have several Henry rifles in it. I needed no “plans or preparations” as he merely told me to “go inside the Confederate lines, find out as nearly as possible the number of Confederates there, and any other information you can obtain.” The Colonel did not specify a time for me to report back to him; and when I found the Confederates I realized that I had something more to do than to find out how many there were—to keep them from getting possession of the pike---and I think my cousin and I did it. The Lieutenant wheeled his horse, drew his revolver, and seemed determined not to be easily taken. We went within 200 yards of the fort, where we could see it well, and there I sat on my horse and saw rebels sacking my camp and driving my men into line. The affair at Sycamore Church on the 16th of September. This I know, I feel a good deal more confidence in myself with a 16 shooter in my hands than I used to with a single shot rifle.”(1) Upson mentions “repeating rifles” which is plural, meaning several Henry Repeating rifles took place in the capture of this rebel gun. Then Captain Pratt called me to try it with my Henry rifle. I think the Johnnies are getting rattled; they are afraid of our repeating rifles. It was also in this area of the county that numerous atrocities occurred. 38 Part I, Government Printing Office, page 160, 173, Published: 1891. “While the 207th Penn. “A Musician as a Sharpshooter: Alonzo P. Webber, of the Eighty-sixth Illinois Volunteers, Principal Musician of his regiment when it was engaged at the battle of Kenesaw Mountain, Ga., June 27, 1864, distinguished himself by voluntarily advancing as a sharpshooter. This was about 5 a. m. of December 2d…. The Spencer repeating rifle was a lever-action, seven shot repeating rifle with a rotating block.It had a tubular magazine that fed 56-56 rimfire cartridges into the chamber. History of the Fifteenth Regiment, Iowa Veteran Volunteer Infantry. 73. With great daring, General Gregg himself mounted with his staff, kept his men in line, unbroken; and when darkness set in, his skirmish line was but a hundred yards from the line of captured works. http://www.rarewinchesters.com/articles/art_hen_00.shtml New additions have been made since the 1992 research was completed. Other Illinois infantry regiment that purchased the Henry Repeating rifle includes the following: 7th, 11th, 16th, 23rd, 39th, 51st, 64, 66th, 68th, 73rd, 80th, 85th, 86th, 96th, 100th, 105th, and the 115th. However, for individuals that purchased Henry rifles, many of those people had to purchase their own cartridges. The rifle was invented by Christopher Miner Spencer and patented in 1860. Found inside – Page 648An Encyclopedia of Social, Political, Cultural and Economic History Mary Ellen ... armed his 54 trail hands with Colt sixshooters and Henry repeater rifles, ... We crawled through the woods to near the house of a Union planter, where Hill had been on duty as a safe guard, when a young lady came running from the house and told us to run, as the rebs were coming…… On reaching the camp we found the body of Lieutenant Mountfort lying in the shed by the church, stripped of everything, and even a finger cut off to secure a ring.” (102) Too many times people seem to think that the Civil War was a Chivalrous war, an honorable war and so on. It is not my attempt to rewrite their history but to report the accounts of how they used their Henrys in battle. Officers in all were Captains Wiltsie, Allen, Carpenter and Montgomery. In a history written about the Fifth New York Cavalry a Henry rifle is mentioned. According to many accounts of soldiers shooting Henry rifles that range would not have been a problem. Spencer Rifle Diagram Spencer rifles fired the .56-56 Spencer , which was a rimfire round, stacked in a 7-round tubular magazine placed in the rifle's stock. After the noon hour we started and my suffering increased as no tongue or pen can describe. The Battle of Roanoke Bridge on the 27th of June. ....Company D and the Sixty-six Illinois, Western Sharpshooters, had the honor on the 9th of May(1864), of opening the fighting of the Army of the Tennessee in this campaign(Atlanta), at Ball’s Knob, Snake Creek Gap and Resaca, Ga., unaided and almost unsupported of driving General Wheeler’s cavalry and brigade of rebel infantry through Snake Creek Gap, and holding until night the heights of Resaca. We found that the slight undulations of the field were scarcely noticeable from our parapet, and yet they were sufficient to cover Hood’s advancing lines of infantry so well that it was not till they had passed the position first occupied by Wagner’s two brigades that they came under infantry fire. Matilda Gresham wrote a two volume account of Walter Quentin Gresham who lived from 1832 to 1895. It was a sixteen shooter Henry rifle. An area of fighting that took place at the same time as the Civil War was on the frontier in Minnesota. Our Regiment of Cavalry was dismounted at 4 o’clock, p. m., marched and stationed on the extreme left of the infantry line, there to build light breastworks for the moment. A couple of things are of interest here. Unfortunately just because a soldier was armed with a Henry Repeating rifle it did not make him invincible even with all of that firepower. Richardson, Albert, The Secret Service, the Field, the Dungeon, and the Escape, 1865. Being a man of indomitable courage and perfectly cool under all circumstances, he managed to escape the notice of his captors, and while the cars, on which he was a passenger, were in motion he jumped off, made his escape home, married, returned to his regiment, was promoted to the office of 2nd Lieutenant, and is still in the service, June, 1865. And yet our men fought on most manfully, their repeating carbines making fearful havoc in the rebel ranks, and not much an inch of ground did they yield till our ammunition failed, when they were ordered back. In the end the Sioux were subdued. Only about 1,731 Henry rifles were purchased by the Ordnance Department between 1862 and 1865. Respectfully and truly yours, C.P. About 14,000 Henry's were made between 1860 and 1866 by the New Haven Arms Company. “We have seven of them, but as our operations increase, that number will be insufficient. 70. Donnelley &, 115. it at the muzzle. “The whole force started before daylight Thursday morning for Hatcher’s Run. It was “Greek meeting Greek.” It was impossible, however, for him to stand against the sixteen shooters, and he was driven back, leaving his dead and wounded on the field…. Several shots passed through his hat, and more through his clothes, but none took effect upon his person. Even small squads of my men have driven Mosby and White’s whole force beyond the Blue Ridge, without a shot or drawing a sabre.” (79) The Henry rifle developed a reputation as a weapon that would discourage those having to attack those armed with this rifle. The rebels made three successive charges upon Lieutenant Martin and men, but were each time repulsed, and at last retreated in confusion, leaving upon the field two men killed and three wounded. The War of the Rebellion: A Compilation of the Official Records of the Union and Confederate Armies. The result has been orders for the rifle. I got as close as I dared, for they were firing at us with their small arms too. Ammunition also upgraded to .44 Henry Rimfire. The report breaks the numbers down as the Army of the Cumberland firing 10,240 Henry cartridges. Another Illinois unit that was engaged in much the same manner as the 66th Illinois Infantry was the 7th Illinois Veteran Volunteer Infantry. They held the post until I got to them with more men. The War of the Rebellion: A Compilation of the Official Records of the Union and Confederate Armies. It was armed with the Henry rifle (sixteen-shooter), and was composed of veterans who could not be excelled for coolness and bravery. He replied, "I can, Sir," and with a sixteen shooter on his shoulder he turned to his 52 men armed with Henrys also and said "Come on, boys" and gave the command, Forward. Private Albion C. Drinkwater, of Co. A made the following remarks at the reunion in Brunswick, 1882; “I will relate an anecdote of him that happened at Ream’s Station, that succeeded the capture of the Weldon Railroad, where we were in continuous action for many days. One of the first things that comes to mind in any discussion of breech-loading repeating rifles in the Civil War are the exploits of Wilder's Brigade commanded by Colonel John T. Wilder. It is an 1887 book but is in itself a timeless book of bravery, courage and sacrifice that men made to preserve our great country, The United States of America. Henry Rifle First Model, Civil War Era, Cal. Those Virginia cavalry regiments that took part in the "Great Beefsteak Raid", captured over 200 of the 1st DC Cavalry's Henry rifles, they also captured a supply of ammunition. Click the drop-down menu below and make your selection. In this engagement is where Company D’s repeating rifles were used to good effect. 53. The cost of each rifle was twenty dollars. Reveille 4 a. m.; no breakfast; marched at daylight to Blountville, 9 miles, about 9 a. m. In this town are three churches; but on Christian Union family. A lever-action repeating rifle, the Henry utilized a 15-round magazine containing self-contained metallic cartridges, allowing a soldier to fire anywhere from 15-30 shots per minute at a time when a soldier carrying a single . These members proudly display their Henry Repeating rifles. corner of Sullivan county of which Blountville is the county seat…. The following is a dispatch, sent by J. Holt on July 22, 1864 worried about attacks on the railroad and requesting Henry Repeating rifles for protection. (96) This is yet again another example of a Henry that met its demise by the owner to keep it from being capture by the rebs. To protect himself, Ellis, also known as the “Old Red Fox”, armed himself with a couple of Colt revolvers and a Henry Repeating Rifle. 18. One part of this account that I would question is the price that they mentioned they paid for their Henry Repeating rifle. The boys all had a good cheer over that. He describes the actions of the 110th Ohio from June 13-15, 1863. It was at the beginning of this conflict that thirty-eight of the Sioux were hanged in Mankato, MN making this the largest mass hanging in the United States. Aston, Howard, History and Roster of the Fourth and Fifth Independent. I retired my force across the river, thus ending the fight, as far as the 5th Indiana and 65th Indiana Mounted Infantry were concerned…. Then there comes a lull, for they’d all got to stop firing to onset and pull out their magazines and fill up with sixteen more cartridges. When we were reloading after one of these volleys, Burwell turned to me and said, "Captain, my gun is out of order.' The Iron Brigade, a Union Civil War unit made up of Wisconsin, Indiana, and Michigan regiments, suffered the most casualties of any Union brigade in the Civil War. Two motions loads and cocks the piece. (81), Dan Ellis and Peter Shelton were going to check out a cabin. No advantage over other breech-loaders, 7. too many different types of arms in use., and 8. high price. Found inside – Page 155One of the earliest of these repeating rifles , the Henry repeater , was also ... First , used sporadically during the Civil War , the United States Army ... “General Dodge’s Escort. The Captain who owned it was so much attached to it that he hated to part with it, but at last he yielded to my importunities, and sold me the rifle for sixty-five dollars, including what cartridges he had. Freeze’s battalion of the First Maine were ordered to dislodge them. Among them were Elbert and Robert Treadway. The War of the Rebellion: A Compilation of the Official Records of the Union and Confederate Armies. “The Government has no contract for the Henry rifle. The Confederates did succeed in pushing the company back but it did take a regiment of Confederates to do it. Coffin, Charles Carleton, Redeeming the republic: the third period of the war. Back in 1860, Henry Repeating Arms invented a rifle that gave an average citizen the capability of firing off several shots in the time it took to fire one round with a muzzleloader, opening new doors to the world of hunting, as well as home and self-defense. 'Captain Smith borrowed enough money from his friend, with what he had, to prepay the freight, and the guns were forwarded. Colonel Tourtellotte, Colonel Rowett, officers and men, for their determined and gallant defense of Allatoona, and it is made an example to illustrate the importance of preparing in time, and meeting the danger when presented, boldly, manfully and well. O.F. One of the more interesting users of the Henry Repeating Rifle was a man from Tennessee by the name of Daniel Ellis. There were six rifles to the case. Unpopular because of its unreliability, improvements in design led to the much larger and more powerful .44 caliber Henry repeating rifle a few years later, just in time for the Civil War. Also of particular interest is what he are hunting, bear and wild hogs. The enemy did not follow us.” (52). The unequal skirmish lasted three hours. Generals Logan, Woods and other officers had followed our skirmish line closely. Then there was a week of quiet in camp, and then three days on picket.” (102) Now we have a very well armed regiment all with a repeating rifle, either a Spencer or a Henry rifle. Before the skirmish was over the enemy appeared in force, when fire was opened by the “Henry Rifles” under command of Major Thomas McGrain. He is going for his sixteen-shooter and I’m afraid there will be trouble!” At this, the colonel (Forrest), who had often heard of the doughty old chap and his wonderful repeating rifle, arose and followed the other down the cabin. Fully loaded he had ready forty-eight rounds of death to fire at the poor twelve rebels that were after him. Found inside – Page 166Repeating. Rifle ... The trio improved it and marketed it as the Henry Repeating Rifle, famously used in the American Civil War. This rifle, in turn, ... He writes, “Sir: As directed from the War Department, I have examined the reports upon the Henry and Spencer guns accompanying the proposition to furnish these arms to the Government and have also examined the arms. One of the captured party had a very fine gun, a repeater that shot sixteen times…. Fortunately I had posted two of my best fighting boys on the outpost (I am proud to say they were Beaver county boys), and they had with them the sixteen-shooter that we had captured from the rebs that day. “In 1862 Captain Wilson (who enlisted July 25), and C. Van Dorn, afterwards captain of Company C, One Hundred and Twenty-fourth O. V. I. This next paragraph is another amusing story about a Henry owner, Major Daniel McCook. Representing new levels of technical achievement, the invention of the repeating rifle no longer required soldiers to be excellent marksmen. In January 1864 most of the 66th reenlisted as Veterans. Go out to shoot off our guns off. By that time they had the gun limbered up and were starting away with it, but I was close enough now so I could see them good. A company of men, or even less, armed with Henry Repeating rifles could put out the firepower equivalent to that of a regiment. Leaving Cave Spring on the first of November for Smyrna, Ga, whence we started on the ever famous march to the sea….General Wheeler with his cavalry was annoying the rear and flank of our corps, which more or less disturbed our marching column. This 16 shot, lever action, breech loading relic was found in California. I think the numbers are a little off. Howard’s Contribution to Military Science, The New York Times, December 12, 1909. “If a man is fighting for his own hand, he must keep his head cool, and judge for himself when it pays for him to “pump lead”. A lever-action repeating rifle, the Henry's 15-round magazine holds self-contained metallic cartridges. He counted them to the number of about eight hundred, well armed, one company with volcanic rifles, (“sixteen shooters,”) one with carbines, some with muskets, and the remainder with double-barreled shotguns......They had besides a battery of four guns, six and twelve pounders.” (49) To oppose this enemy force Colonel Mason had one hundred and fifty-two men and no artillery. Lieut. 1, Phillips Bros., State Printers, Pages 386-387, Published 1900. They stole his horse, watch and his Henry Repeating Rifle. Listed below are some of the battles the Henry Repeating rifle was used in or were present at. America was engulfed in the searing flames of the Civil War, and the first Henry rifles were in the hands of Union soldiers by mid 1862. It was while there that I had an opportunity of examining one of Henry’s volcanic or repeating rifles, which are capable of discharging seventeen shots without reloading. It was a most beautiful piece with steel barrel and chamber. The Firelands Pioneer, Firelands Historical Society New Series Vol XVI, 116. Consider that it is admitted that in the use of muzzle-loading guns, but five per cent of the shots would take effect, showing a loss of ninety-five per cent of the ammunition! 'Storing them; no express matter sent South unless prepaid. The enemy had been severely punished, that he was careful to keep at a safe distance, and the command fell back in good order, and without a loss of a man.” (9) The down side of all of this is that the Confederates ended up surrounding the 1st D.C. Cavalry capturing hundreds of them along with hundreds of their Henry Repeating rifles. These seven men actually kept back a rebel brigade from crossing that ford for three and a half hours by desperate fighting, killing forty or fifty. On May 9, 1864 it was mentioned that the regiment was ordered in haste to the front. On October 16, 1860, Henry received a patent for the Henry .44 caliber repeating rifle, which soon demonstrated just how effective such a weapon would be on the field of battle during the Civil War. I am several mules ahead of what the government has furnished me now; but I can’t capture Henry rifles.” “Very well; tell General McPherson to get you the rifle.” I saw General McPherson about it, and he gave me permission to purchase and carry it. He writes on October 17, 1863 to the New Haven Arms Company while at Grand Gulf, Mississippi. The Confederate forces were formed in column on the crest of a hill; behind them, on a more elevated spot, was a battery of artillery. 11. When Forrest ask McCook what he was going to do the Major replied; “I propose,” responded the infuriated major, “to shoot you down in your tracks unless you at once apologize for your abominable utterances, and your damned abolition sentiments!” (88) The outcome of this confrontation was that Forrest did indeed apologize and the two ended up at the bar for a drink. The rifles came, with an intimation that it was doubtful about the ability of the Government to furnish horses. John A. Smith, who was only about 20 years old, was commanding Company E of the 7th Illinois Infantry. Bobby Smith Collection. Gresham, Matilda, Life of Walter Quentin Gresham, Rand McNally & Co. 114. After advancing about four miles my advance encountered a picket-post, which fled at once upon being fired upon. The War of the Rebellion: A Compilation of the Official Records of the Union and Confederate Armies. The following is an interesting use of the Henry where a small amount of men, twelve, can make a huge difference. Also out of ammunition for the Henry rifle, and none to be had. In view of the foregoing, of the very high prices asked for these arms, and of the fact that the Government is already pledged on orders and contracts for nearly 73,000 breech loading rifles and carbines, to the amount of $2,250,000, I do not consider it advisable to entertain either of the propositions for purchasing these arms.” (37) Needless to say General Ripley is not a fan of the Henry Repeating rifle and in his letter he so states the reason for being against it. In assaulting breastworks, you being constantly loaded and ready to fire, the enemy dare not show their heads above their works, and therefore cold not keep you out, nor could you be driven out; it is also the weapon to defend wagon trains, as a much smaller number of men could defend them; using the wagons as a cover they could defeat five times their number, and knowing the advantage they possessed in their weapons there would not so likely be a panic or disorderly retreat. Breech-loaders and repeating rifles were available by 1861 and were initially purchased in limited quantities, often by individual soldiers. About the Henry Rifle: Designed by Benjamin Tyler Henry in 1860, the Henry was introduced in the early 1860s and produced through 1866 in the United States by the New Haven Arms Company. This letter is dated November 2, 1863. In the “Report of the Adjutant General of the State Of Illinois” concerning the 7th Illinois Infantry it is stated; “The 7th, armed with Henry rifles, (16-shooters), did gallant and fearful work, successfully repelling four separate charges by the desperate and hungry enemy on the line occupied by them, its torn and bleeding ranks told at what a fearful cost. They would fire at those they could see. He resigned and returned home but did not remain long, for in the fall of 1863 he re-enlisted at Indianapolis in Company C, One Hundred and Twenty-fourth Indiana Volunteer Infantry. Confederate General Wheeler’s Cavalry had been re-enforced and was operating in the area. They withstood the enemy until by sheer weight of the enemy’s overwhelming numbers they were forced slowly back. One of the privates was taken at the same time, and his rifle which he had just emptied, was examined with much curiosity by the reb who had taken him, who, after looking it over thoroughly, turned to Alban and said, “What kind of guns do youens use? "Wheeler. Even if each man only carried a hundred cartridges that would equal 7,000 rounds that could be fired stopping any advance by an enemy. Early in the war there were those that had wanted to acquire the Henry Repeating rifle but the Henry was in short supply. Andrew L. BresnanNational Henry Rifle Company. The 7th Illinois Veteran Volunteer Infantry fought all through the Atlanta Campaign, the “March to the Sea” and all through the Carolinas with their Henry Repeating rifles. You can select the language displayed on our website. I had a sixteen shooter which I regretted very much chagrined for what we had done, but notwithstanding, they treated us very well; much better than we expected.