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Historic Documented Civil War Union Sharpshooter’s Cased William Craig, Pittsburgh Percussion Target Rifle with Morgan James Scope, False Muzzle, Accessories, Powder Horn and Diaries of R.J. May of Company D of the 2nd Bucktail Regiment and the Sharpshooter Battalion - NSN, 50 cal., 30 1/4 inch octagon bbl., brown/casehardened finish, walnut stock. Many mid-19th century percussion target rifles are often believed to have been used by sharpshooters during the American Civil War, but relatively few have been identified as actually purchased and used by a genuine member of a sharpshooter unit during the war. This rifle has just that, and it has far more than an attribution: the actual diaries of the sharpshooter that owned and used this rifle during the Civil War are included, and these diaries include direct references to the purchase and use of his “Telescope rifle.” Both the original historic three volumes and the modern transcription “The Civil War Diaries of a Union Soldier: Private Robert John May, Pittsburgh, Pa.” accompany this historic rifle. The transcription includes the likeness of the rifle and the powder horn on the main title page and on the title page for each diary volume. Also included is an envelope of
letters from and to May during the war discussing events (mainly letters written by him to his
brother), a handwritten roster for Company D, and express receipts. Writing on January 3,
1863, he notes he had given Lincoln’s “paw a wag” while stationed in D.C. and felt sorry
for the president. One of the letters from the end of the war discusses the rumor of Jefferson Davis wearing petticoats. The rifle’s case is also marked “R.J. MAY.” on
the lid, and the powder horn is inscribed “R.J. May” on the base plug and is also discussed in the diaries. Together, this creates an incredible documented set that would be a historically significant addition
to any institutional or private collection of Civil War arms.
Union sharpshooter Private Robert John May (1830-1896) served in Company D of the famous 149th Pennsylvania,
the 2nd Bucktail Regiment.
The unit’s service is covered in detail in “General History of Company D, 149th Pennsylvania Volunteers and Personal Sketches of the Members” compiled by John W. Nesbit (copy included) which includes an entry for May stating he “enlisted August 22nd, 1862, and served with the company until the Sharpshooter’s Battalion was organized, when he was transferred to that service and served there until the close of the war. Private May was an excellent soldier, intelligent and conscientious. He served the entire term without wounds or sickness, taking part in every battle, skirmish or march in which the Regiment was engaged. He was born December 25th, 1830, in Allegheny City, Pa.” It notes he worked in the foundry and machine business with his brother and moved to St. Louis, Missouri, where he worked as the superintendent of the Kingsland & Ferguson Foundry and Machine Co. and also worked at the government arsenal there until April of 1861 when he moved to Pittsburgh where he operated a foundry and machine business at Elizabeth and later Keesport. He remained in that line of business until his death on April 10, 1896. He mustered out at Elmira, New York, in June 1865 as discussed in one of the included letters. Page 49 of the book discussed May’s move to the Corps Sharpshooter Battalion and states: “The sharpshooters were known throughout the Corps for their daring and effective work.” The men of the Bucktails wore bucktails on their hats as symbols of their superior marksmanship and were talented skirmishers and sharpshooters. They fought in the 1st Army Corps in 1863 to spring of 1864 and then the 5th Army Corps until the
end of the war and saw action Chancellorsville, Gettysburg, the Wilderness, Spotsylvania Court House, North Anna, Totopotomoy Creek, Cold Harbor, Petersburg, Globe Tavern, Hatcher’s Run, and Five Forks. They lost 4 officers and 160 enlisted men killed and mortally wounded and an additional 172 enlisted men from disease. Three monuments to the 149th Pennsylvania Volunteer Infantry Regiment are on the hollowed grounds of the Gettysburg battlefield, including a monument to Company D southwest of Gettysburg at the north end of West Confederate Avenue at Middle Street that was erected in 1886. In the included diaries, May wrote about his experiences, including at Gettysburg. July 2, 1863: “It is likely the fight today will be a decisive one... there has been a terrific cannonading today...Our corps was held in reserve until near dark when the enemy became more furious in our front and on the left when we were thrown to the second line from the front. -We drove the Rebs beautifully - our Brigade were sent out (what was left of it) on Picket and remained - our Div. was cut to pieces yesterday - I might say the corps -Our Brigade wont’ make a Reg’t - our Reg’t went in with about 400 & have a little over 100 - It is said today witnessed the hardest fighting of the war.” July 3, 1863:
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