Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1858-04-12
By order of the Secretary of War:
>. COOPER, Adjutant General
Snac;aI o,dars WAR DEPARTMENT,

No % AdJHfdNf eHSTdpS Once,
B-evet Lieut. Col w. Hafdee, major spi :: "a 1 cav
airy, is relieved from serving the board of ofi-
GERS Instituted by Especial o. ders, No %, - of
February l6. 1855, from the War Depar tment and
Captain T J. Wood, ist cavalry, is detailed as
member of The same
Captain Wood will record the proceedings of
the board
BY order of the Secretary Of War:
: COOPER, AdJutant General.
The board met pursuant TO the foregoing or
ders present all the members.
The boa examined three spec linens Of Colts
pistol-carbnc, of the following length of barrel
respectively twelve, fifteen, and ii hteen inches
ard Colts pistol with a barrel seven inches long
with breech attachment
To test the accuracy of fire, a number of shots
were hTtd from all these arms al the following
ranges at one hundred yaIds, and at three hun
dred yards; at five hund red wards from the three
specimens Of the pistol caIbine, and at two hun
dred yaids from the pistol with bIeech attach
ment.
The result Of these experiments was entirely
satisfactory to the board as to the accuracy of
fire OF the arms under examination.
To teri the penetration Of these arms, a target
OF white pine boards, seasoned, one inch thick
with an interval Of one inch and a quarter be-
tween the boards, and two feet by two In size,
was used. The shots were fred at thirty yards
from the target.
The car bine with I2-inch barrel penetrated O
boards.
The carbine with 15-inch barrel penetrated sh
boards.
The carbine with Ie-inch barrel penetrated 9
boards.
The pistol with breech attachment penetrat, d
* boards.
The tOard consider CoIt's pistol earLine, and
CoIfS pistol ruth Iyeeeh attachnent, SUPERIOR
for our edra!Ty purpose 10 any ann tcith ,chich
hFy are acquainted
The board recommend the adoption of Colt,
pistol with bfeech attac hnenD and ammunition
Tor the cavalry service; and that each trooper be
furnished with two pistols, ad iusted to the same
breech the barrel Of each pistol be eight inches
long, Of the calibre of the army revolver
Tue board recommend that steel or malleable
iron be substituted for the brass In the connex ion
OF the breech attachment with the pistol.
The board recommend that the two swivels on
the bTeech attachment, and the swivel on the
pistol be dispensed with also recommend that
the pistol be sighted for one two and three hun
dred yards
The board recommend that one pistol be worn
on the right side of the soldier. in pouch AT
tached 10 the sabre belt, and the other in the
holster on the right side Of the saddle and that
the breech attachment be carried in a suitable
pouch attached to the left side Of the rear of the
saddle.
The board adjourned to meet at O'Clock D m,
Friday, February 10, 1855.
FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 10, 1s5s.-Tbe hoard me,
pursuant to adjournment present, all the men,
bers.
The board recommend that, as Colts pistols
with barrels light inches long cannot he procured
in time for the operations of the approaching
campaign, pistols with seven inch barrels and
the breech attachment be furnished for immedi-
ate use.
Having no further business to transact, the
boa I'd adjourned sine die.
WIN. s. HARNEY,
Col. I'd Dragons, and Brevet Brigadier
General, p. esident.
THOMAS J. WooD,
Captain LIST Cavalry, Recorder.
WAsHINGrON, April 4tk, 1855.
DEAR SIR: have just received your note and
can only say In reply TO 1t, that had in view
the comparative value OF Sharp'S cnrbiae and
rye with that Of your aims examined by the
the board.
very respectfully your obedient servant
WIN: 8. HARVEY, Colonel, &c &c
Col. SAMUEL CoLr
WASHINGTON Arsenal, April 5th, 1858
IL Is my opinion that Colts arm WAS Admit, A
by the bOa-d for superiority over All arms for
cavalry service. WIZ. II BELL,
Major Of Ordnance
Mine also. r. JOHNSTON
1t. Col. Cavalry.
NEW YORK CITY, April g, 1855
DEAR SIR: Ia reply to your note Of yesterday,
requesting me to state whether or not had In