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However, the men did not have
arms in part because none of the
men had suitable arms, however,
in part because of efforts by
Governor Andrew B. Moore of
Alabama to purchase or confiscate
firearms throughout the state at the
onset of the war. Moore also sent agents to purchase arms in
the Northeast during the secession crisis before the war began. Despite these efforts, the
state’s troops were often poorly equipped. In the case of the Alabama light dragoons raised
and led by Captain Robert W. Smith in the fall of 1861, they were funded by wealthy Dallas
County planter John J. Crocheron. Anderson indicates Crocheron supplied funds for their arms.
Other sources have stated he paid for their mounts, and he certainly may have funded their equipment in general. In response,
Smith’s dragoons were named in Crocheron’s honor. Smith began drawing equipment for his men on January 14, 1862, including 2,000 Colt revolver cartridges. The Crocheron Light Dragoons scouted around the Dog River area near Mobile until Captain Smith offered their services to Brigadier General Braxton Bragg in March of 1862 and they became his escort. Captain Smith was appointed Civil and Military Governor of Corinth following the bloody Battle of Shiloh in April of 1862. The dragoons were reorganized in June of 1862 with Captain Edwin M. Holloway as their leader and became also known
as “Holloway’s Company of Independent Alabama Cavalry.” Though they became Company I of the 3rd Alabama Cavalry, they remained on detached service serving as escorts and couriers for General Bragg and then also served in the same roles under General Joseph Johnston and General John Bell Hood. They surrendered with Johnston’s
army on April 26, 1865.
CONDITION: Good, showing strong characteristic signs of
Confederate use, with mostly gray and brown patinas and
traces of period refinished blue finish, mild wear, scattered
areas of light to mild pitting, replacement wedge screw and
left shoulder stock screw, and some deformed percussion nipples and edges on the rear of the refinished cylinder. The refinished grip is also good with some repaired replacement sections, a chipped section on the front left, and some minor dings. Mechanically fine. Thi “C.L. DRAGOON’S.” marked Dragoon revolver serves as a highly desirable Confederate weapon.
Provenance: The Herb Glass, Jr. Collection; Property of a Gentleman.
Estimate: 9,500 - 16,000
LOT 249
Confederate Texas Marked Canteen - This Civil War era Confederate canteen has embossed letters “TEXAS” on both sides. A differently shaped canteen with similar Texas marking is pictured on page 7 of “The Texas Gun Collector” Fall 2000 issue
in which it is mentioned as having been imported by Schnitzler & Kirschbaum of Germany. Another similar example is also pictured on page 79 of “Civil War Times” December 1999 issue. It measures 8 1/8 inches wide and 2 inches thick. CONDITION: Very good overall with a mix of aged brown and gray patinas and scattered patches of light pitting. This desirable Texas marked canteen would make for a fine accessory in any Civil War collection! Estimate: 2,500 - 4,000
s
FEATURED IN "THE GUN REPORT" FROM JANUARY 1991
SIMILAR EXAMPLE FEATURED IN "TGCA" FROM FALL 2000
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