The Very First Documented Use of Repeaters in Civil War Combat.

While preparing for the talk I will be giving at the Sons of Union Veterans meeting in July, I discovered a surprising little tidbit about the first documented use of a a lever action repeating rifle in combat.

The first use of a lever action repeater was on August 18th, 1862 near Clarksville TN.  I'll let Colonel Rodney Mason of the 71st Ohio Infantry and in charge of occupation forces in and around Clarksville TN tell you all about it.

In a letter to the editor of the Ohio State Journal and backed up by the OR, Colonel Mason writes:  “On Monday morning I received notice of the approach of the enemy in force.  I was near my headquarters in the city, and immediately started for camp, which I reached just as the enemy galloped down the street.  I found Lt. Colonel Andrews, who was in command, forming the men in position.  The enemy halted out of range, and sent in a flag of truce, demanding a surrender.  I called my officers together, and submitted the proposition to them.  The matter was some time in consideration.  Pending the negotiation, I asked and obtained leave to send Lt. Colonel Andrews along the line to verify their statements of their force.  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.”(1)  

That's right folks, the first documented use of a lever action repeating rifle is by CONFEDERATE forces in the recapture of Clarksville TN on August 18, 1862!

Colonel Mason stated he had only 150 men, no artillery and thought he had no chance.  In the officers meeting convened by Mason after he received Andrews report, the officers of the 71st Ohio Infantry agreed with Mason stating in a report, “He (Andrews) returned and reported that, as near as he could ascertain, about four hundred cavalrymen were drawn in line some four hundred yards distance; one company armed with new sixteen shooters, one company with carbines and sabers, balance with double-barreled shotguns; at the left and rear drawn up about one hundred infantry....” (1) 

Colonel Mason was facing a composite force commanded by Colonel Adam Rankin Johnson and was comprised of the 2nd/15th Kentucky Cavalry (CSA) and the 10th Kentucky Cavalry (CSA) aka the 10th Kentucky Partisan Rangers along with a battery of artillery  Company B of the 10th Kentucky Cavalry, commanded by Captain Lorenzo Fisher (who had a picture taken with his Henry) had the “sixteen shooters,”. At this time in the war a “well armed company " could have anywhere from 25 to 75 men.  In theory a force of this size armed with Henries would have a bit of firepower, although combat ammo loads carried by soldiers at this time were usually small, ~40 rounds.  As later engagements with repeaters would show, repeating firearms need plenty of ammo and discipline to use effectively, just hosing out rounds isn't all that effective in prolonged combat.  No one knows or has yet discovered just where Co. B 10th Ky (CSA) Henries were obtained, but at this time in the war money talked louder than loyalty.

In any case this news was enough to shake Mason and his officers.  They readily surrendered and the Confederates did not have to fire a shot to re-take Clarksville.  After this operation The 2nd Ky (CSA) and the 10th Ky (CSA) split up.  The 2nd would later become part of General Nathan B. Forrest’s command.

Colonel Rodney Mason was cashiered for the service by Presidential order.(1)

1) Official Records of the Rebellion Series 1, vol 16, Part 1 (Morgan's First Kentucky Raid, Perryville Campaign) (pages 863 to 865)