Especially in the rev war, were these cloth substitute "shott pouches" used because bore sizes were still so varied they couldn't expect to use standard armory issued cartridges? If so it seems a powder horn would be needed as well as wadding to loose load at the muzzle. It also opens the whole priming conundrum as well. I think I recall reading about horns being turned in to the armory be filled, which is why owners names were carved into them?
Conversely, if a soldier had a good cartridge box and was regularly issued standard paper cartridges did he have no need for a powder horn and loose bullets and therefore not carry them?
Sorry for all the questions but I'm trying to get a good understanding of this.
Thanks very much,
TCA
Some where I remember Washington requesting 3000 horns if I remember correctly. I wondered what kind they were and who made them, If he ever got them.
Tim
Tim,
Washington had his officers buying up locally made horns in VA and they bought casks of ready made horns in Philly. Mike Burke at Fort Pitt makes a very compelling case for the G. Biler horn being likely one of these pro made horns used by a Forbes Provincial, Fort Pitt has some good info online on that account
https://www.heinzhistorycenter.org/blog/fort-pitt-museum-fort-duquesne-powder-horn/There is a horn base plug at Fort Ligonier that is not a turned pro build.
Letters to Washington and Accompanying Papers. Published by the Society of the Colonial Dames of America. Edited by Stanislaus Murray Hamilton.
CONEGOCHEAGUE 21st. June 1758
SIR
I have made Inquiry Concerning the 200 Hatchets Mention'd in your's but has yet got no Information Concerning them
... I am Sir
... Yr. Most Obedt. hble. servt
... JNO. KIDD
List of Sundry's from Carlyle
Kettles ... 171
Canteens ... 465
Barrels of Powder Horns ... 3
Saddles ... 18
Box of Furniture for Ditto ... 1
Spades ... 12
Picks ... 12
As early as 1756 GW orders his officers to locally provide their men with powder horns and shot bags due to the scarcity of proper cartridge paper.
"If you have one Halbert, it is more than we have in the whole Regiment; and I desire it may be laid aside, and a musket, &c. substituted in its place.
Cartridge-paper is an article not to be had here; and we make use of horns and pouches in its stead, which you must also do. Drums will be sent by Major Lewis,
who is to have the command of your company, and will move it hitherwards." George Washington to Thomas Bullitt, July 24, 1757
