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p APERS OF MIRABEAU BUONAPARTE LAMAR
No. 1155 1839 Mar. 28, G. W. HOCKLEY TO A. S. JOHNSTON, [HOUSTON] Ordnance Department 28th March 1839 To The Hon A. Sidney Johnson Secretary of '\Var Sir In accordance with orders from the Department of \Var, I proceeded to examine and test the patent Rifles, carbine and Pistol, made by Mr Colt, at Paterson New Jersey, United States, and its fitness for our service, and have the honor to report.- In the first place, my objection to the use of the percussion cap instead of the flint and steel, are confirmed by this experiment pieces mis:.ed fire very frequently, though tried with various caps, for reasons herein after to be explained.- In the second place, I object generally to very quick firing in action. - the French, the Spaniards, the Mexicans, and some others, fire quickly and from the hip- (this however I believe has been exploded in the French service since the war upon the Peninsula) the Ameri- can and British troops fire from the shoulder and generally from sight.- 'tis needless to refer to the Texian Rifle, or their fire from. the musket- in firing too rapidly it is difficult if not impossible to, take sight at the objeet- I have preferred w'ounding the enemy, badly if possible, but wounding in preference to Killing at once, for no matter how great a vagabond the victim may be to his mess, his comrades will convey him to the rear, and You have then three of the enemy disposed of, for the time, at least- this I am aware is not a general rule, a line to be broken, or hot engagement of any kind, will not come under its influence, but there the bayonet is the great auxiliary. In the third place, the barrel is heated to such a degree that the soldier, cannot hold it.- upon making the experiment, in the summer of 1837 in the United States with Cochran.- (one of Colt's on the principle now presented, but not quite finished) the Baron Hacket, and I think some other, this was fully proven, Cochran fired his own, and did not put on the glove until the heat of the barrel became intolerable.- the Baron was obliged to put on a second glove on top of the first, before he had fired thirty five rounds.- In the fourth p~ace, I have always, discovered, in all arms upon the revolving principle, that more or less dirt (depending of course on the quality of the powder) remains in the Chamber.- this it may be urged is the case with the common arm, which is true, but observe the facility with with it is removed from them; loosened in a moment - with the ramrod and screw, from the size of the bore it may be discharged, from the muzzel or the finest part instantly blown through the touch hole, or if need be the breech (being kept in good order) could be removed, and the impedient thrown out, a wounded.
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