The Washington union. [volume] (City of Washington [D.C.]) 1857-1859, 1858-04-10
Washington, March 8, 1858.


the trial of them by troops in actual service Mr. Colts
arms have undergone this test and the result will be
found, in measure by reports of Gen Harvey aud
Capt Marcy who used them in Florida against the In
dams, and which are herewith transmitted These re-
ports IL will be seen, relate only to the rifle but
clear and satisfactory and that has been much
less used than the pistol in our service they become inn
portant.
With "Colts pistol the country is perfectly familiar
it is agreed all hands by those who have used them
in the field las shown in printed evidence herewith
closed Sen. Rep 257, 3lst Cong, I'd Sess that it is
altogether superior to any other and in fact it has
become essential to the public service board Of Off
GERS recently assembled to consider the best mode Of
armng our cavalry, made report, copy of which
herewith transmit, showing the present appreciation
OF the by officers OF the army standing deseryedy
high for their services, experience and intelligence.
have the honor to be, very respectfully, your ODE
dent servant,
JOHN b. FLOYD,
Secretary of War.
Hon. JAMES A. STEWART,
House OF Representatives.
Proceedings Of Board of Officers coagsned Wdshaog Ar
senal, D. C., By pirtue Of III, Jsllo,oing orders:
snoo;., o,a.rs WAR DEPARTMENT,
NJ 90 Adutant General Office,
Washington, February IT, 1858.
board of officers to consist Of Breyet Bgadier Gene
ral w. s. Harvey colonel I'd Dragons Lieut.. Col j.
Z Johnston LIST cavalry Major W. IT, Bell, ordnance
department Brevet Colonel c. A. May, Major I'd dra
goons Breyet Lieut.. Col W. J. Hardee, major I'd
airy, will assemble at the Washington Arsenal at ii
o'clock, M Thursday, the 18th instant, soon
thereafter practicable for the examination of Colt
arms with breech attachment and pistol carbine. The
board will make detailed and minute report, and give
an opinion as to the fitness of these weapons for our cav
airy service Captain L. j. Wood, LIST cavalry, is APP
pointed recorder Of the board. y
by order OF the Secretary of War
s. COOPER, Adjutant General.
so WAR DEPARTMENT
'1 u'''' Adutant Generals Office,
~ Nf Washington, Feb. II, 1858.
Brevet Lieut. Col W. ]. Hardee, major I'd cavalry, is
relieved from serving the board OF officers instituted
by Especial Orders No 49,, Of February l6 1858, from
the War Department, and Captain T. j. Wood, LIST cav
airy, is detailed a member of the
Captain Wood will record the proceedings of the board
BY order of the Secretary of War 20
s, COOPER, Adjutant General.
The board met pursuant to the foregoing orders pres
ent all the members.
The board examined three specimens of Colts pistol
carbine, Of the following length Of barrel respectively
twelve fifteen and eighteen inches and Colts pistol with
barrel seven inches long with breech attachment.
To test the accuracy of fire, number of shots were
fired from all these at the following ranges at
hundred yards and at three hundred yards at five hun
dred yards from the three specimens Of epistol carbne
and at two hundred yards from the pistol with breec at
taehment.
The result of these experiments entirely sasfac
tory to the board to the accuracy of fire of the
under examination.
To test the penetration Of these arms target of white
pine boards seasoned inch thick, with interval Of
inch and quarter between the boards and two feet
by two In size, used. The shots fired at 80
yards from the target.
The carbne with l2-inch barrel penetrated boards
The carbne with l5-inch barrel penetrated 81 boards
The carbne with I8-inch barrel penetrated boards,
The pistol with breecl attachment penetrated "a boards
The board consider C5As pistol carJine aud COILS pistol NTH
breec attachment SUPERIOR for cavalry service 10 any
nrA wlich they are acquainted
The board recommend the adoption Of Colts pistol
with beech attachent and ammunition for the cavalry
service and that each trooper be furnished with two ps
tolls adjusted to the same reech, the barrel of each ps
toll to be eight inches long, of the clibre of the army
yolver.
The board recommend that steel or maeable iron be
substituted for the brass in the connection Of the beech
attachment with the pistol.
The board recommend that the two swivels the
breech attachment and the swivel the pistol be dis
pensed with also recommend that the pistol be sighted
| for one, two and three hundred yards.
The board recommend that pistol be worn on the
right side of the soldier in pouch attached to the sabre
belt and the other in the holster the right side of the
saddle and that the beech attachment be carried in
suitable pouch attached to the left side of the of the
| saddle
The board adjourned to meet at clock, p. m Fri
day, February 49, 1858.
FRIDAY FERRuARY 10, Is5s.-The board met pursuant
to adjournment present all the members
Tho board recommend that, as Colts pistols with bar
res eight inches long cannot be procured in time for the
operations of the approaching campaign, pistols with
sevennch barrels and the breech attachment, be fur
| nished for immediate use.
Having further business to transact the board ad-
journed sine die.
WILLIAM s. HARVEY,
Col. I'd Dragons, and Brevet Brigadier General,
President
TuoNAs j. wooD,
Captain LIST Cavalry Recorder.
WASHINGTON, April 4th, 1858.
On. r L,x a;,ot and oOlv
say in reply to it. that Iad in view the comparative value
of Shps ouJns and rife with that Of your examined
the board speak for the other members OF the
board
Very respectfully yonr obedicnt servant
WIN. S. HARVEY
Colonel, &c, sc.
Col SAMUEL Corr
WASHINGTON ARSENAL April 5th, 1868.
1t is my opinion that Colts was adopted by the
board for superiority all for cavalry service.
VIM. H. BELL
Major of Ordnance.
Mine also j. f. JOHNSTON,
1t. Col Cavalry.
New York Cry April 8, 1858
DEAR SIR: In reply to your note of yesterday, re-
guessing me to state whether not had in view the
comparative value of Sharfs carbine and rifle with that
of your arms examined by the board, of which was
a member have to state that had not only " Sharp
carbine In view but had all others which have been
used IN cavalry service for the last twenty years. and
in my opinion, yours is superior to them all in every
spect Respectfully your obedient servant,
G. A. MAY,
4 III Am,