The Southwestern Historical Quarterly, Volume 53, July 1949 - April, 1950 Page: 446
538 p. : ill., maps ; 23 cm.View a full description of this periodical.
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Southwestern Historical Quarterly
Company I. Capt. J. Longstreet171 (Bvt. Maj.) on leave of ab-
sence since March 28, 1853; and 2d Lt. F. M. Fol-
lett, serving since Apl. 12, 1853, at Fort McKavett.
It thus appears that here, as with the other wing of the regiment
at Fort McKavett, only one (Beardsley) of the five Captains was at
the head of his company, and that two of the companies were com-
manded by 2d Lieutenants.
This regiment being required to wear the late pattern uniform
appeared at inspection with the undress, only three of the companies
having the dress clothing. On their last estimate part of the old
pattern was furnished, and part (forage caps) of the new. The supply
on hand is not sufficient. The companies are armed with Harper's
Ferry musket, percussion lock, pattern of 1845. Company G. has
twenty serviceable and four unserviceable horses, and is furnished
with Dragoon equipments complete, except the Musketoon. It has
twelve Colt's revolvers and a full supply of holster pistols. Company
A. has had about thirty of Maynard's primer muskets since the Spring
of 1850. The arm is esteemed, but great complaints are made of the
quality of the primers furnished, which frequently will not stand the
dampness of a single night's exposure on guard.
The appearance of the command under arms was quite creditable;
the ceremony of receiving the colours was well performed, and the
troops while passing in review preserved the alignment with a con-
siderable degree of accuracy. At the inspection their arms were found
in very good order, and their clothing neat and, generally, well fitted.
Lt. Col. Seawell subsequently exercised the command as a battalion
of infantry, performing a variety of manoeuvres in close and open
columns. Their instruction was not very thorough, though beyond
the usual average. One reason for their not appearing better was the
want of competent non-commissioned officers. This is, indeed, the
greatest obstacle in the service generally to disciplining the men and
teaching them a knowledge of their duties; and until a better class
of persons to fill the non-commissioned grades are obtained, by the
offer of higher inducements to enlistment, it will be in vain to expect
a well instructed Army. A second cause operating to mar the effect
of the exercises, was the number of extra duty men taken from the
workshops, where they are habitually employed, and turned into the
ranks for the occasion. These men were usually as distinctly marked
by their soiled clothes, their ungainly attitudes when at a halt, and
their unsteadiness of gait in marching, as if the Quartermaster's
brand had been placed upon them.
r James Longstreet graduated from the Military Academy in 1842 and was
breveted captain August so, 1847. He was cited for gallantry at Contreras and
Churubusco, and was made a major on September 8, 1847. He resigned his com-
mission June 1, 1868, and was a lieutenant general in the Confederate States Army
from 1861 to 1865. Ibid., I, 640.446
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Texas State Historical Association. The Southwestern Historical Quarterly, Volume 53, July 1949 - April, 1950, periodical, 1950; Austin, Texas. (https://texashistory.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metapth101126/m1/552/: accessed May 1, 2024), University of North Texas Libraries, The Portal to Texas History, https://texashistory.unt.edu; crediting Texas State Historical Association.