Model 1863 Springfield Rifle Musket used by Private Elisha Stockwell, Jr. during the Civil War
On Feb. 25, 1862 at the age of 15, Elisha Stockwell, Jr. enlisted in Company 'I' of the 14th Wisconsin Volunteer Infantry. Stockwell was issued a .69-caliber Belgian rifle musket when he joined. He was wounded twice at the Battle of Shiloh, and he fought at Corinth. By the time he fought at Vicksburg, Stockwell was issued a .577-caliber Enfield rifle.
In early 1864 Stockwell was issued this .58-caliber Model 1863 Springfield rifle musket. Stockwell used this rifle at the battles of Kennesaw Mountain, and Mobile, but not at the Battle of Atlanta. Just before the Battle of Atlanta, a lieutenant sent Stockwell to find the cooks who were late with Company I’s coffee. Stockwell left his rifle and belts beside a tree and before he could find the cooks, the battle started. After the battle he returned to find his rifle and belts just where he left them.
Stockwell was promoted to Corporal in March, 1865 and mustered out of the Army in Oct., 1865. He purchased this rifle and the rest of his kit for six dollars and the rifle was passed down through his family. It was donated to the Smithsonian by his great-grandson Gordon S. Stockwell in 2012.
Our collection database is a work in progress. We may update this record based on further research and review. Learn more about our approach to sharing our collection online.
If you would like to know how you can use content on this page, see the Smithsonian's Terms of Use. If you need to request an image for publication or other use, please visit Rights and Reproductions.