British Pattern 1853 Rifle-Musket by Enfield issued to Pvt. William P. McLaughlin of the 126th Illinois Infantry at Vicksburg. This is a "TOWER / 1861" marked and dated rifle that has been bored out from the original .577 caliber to .62 caliber smoothbore. The metal has a mottled gray-brown patina throughout, with dark, plum-brown freckling throughout, as well as mild pitting around the percussion nipple and bolster. The walnut stock has numerous small handling marks and blemishes, as well as a large chip and crack on the edge of the barrel channel on the left side between the upper band and no longer present middle band, and a with-the-grain crack on the left side running up from the rear lock screw bolster. Additionally, there is a large bruise on the underside of the forend just ahead of the rear sight, as well as a small elongated, hexagonal inlet on the left side where a small plaque used to be affixed to the wood. What could be a purchasing agent’s view mark is present on the underside of the wrist, but it is illegible. The left side of the butt is carved: "W.P. Mc LAUGHLIN / Co. B 126 REG. ILL. / VOL. INFT. / DRAWEN AT / SEIGE OF VCKSBUR / JUNE 1863." The neat, Roman letters have also been filled with yellow paint at some point in order to make the writing more legible.
William P. McLaughlin was from Edgington, Illinois, and enlisted into the Union Army on August 11, 1862. On September 4, he mustered into Co. B, 126th IL Volunteer Infantry (a 3 year unit), and served in the regiment for the remainder of the war. The 126th IL was involved in the Siege of Vicksburg as part of the 2nd Brigade, Kimball’s Division, XVI Corp, and it was here that Pvt. McLaughlin was evidently issued this musket (the British P-53 Enfield was issued widely to troops on both sides during the course of the conflict). Following their service in Mississippi, the regiment was moved to Arkansas, where they remained until the end of the war. McLaughlin mustered out at Pine Bluff, Arkansas, on July 7, 1865. Also included with the musket are photocopies of McLaughlin’s muster rolls covering the term of his enlistment, as well as a large sheaf of copies of pension increase applications and affidavits for his widow, Christine McLaughlin, following his death in 1899. This is a great Civil War weapon with a connection to a particularly significant engagement.
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