To my friends and customers. After an absence of four months, I am again at my post, during which time I have visited the best Gun Manufacturers of the West and South, that I might make myself acquainted with the more recent and valuable improvements in gunnery. And can now assure my customers that any work entrusted to me will be finished in the best style, with such valuable improvements as have been made in the work. I will keep constantly on hand Shot Guns, Pistols of all kinds, including Colt’s celebrated repeaters of all sizes, Game and Shot bags, Powder Flasks and Horns, Bullet bags, Capprimers, Tubes and tube wrenches, Bullet-moulds, Gun Barrels, Locks, Triggers, Ribbs, Mounting, Baldwin & Anderson’s Patent Wadding, Eley’s wire Cartridge, Cox & Eley’s caps, also Colt’s metal lined for his repeating pistols, and a good assortment of all other kinds. Hazard & Dupont’s powder, both keg and canister of the finest quality. A few of the celebrated patent-muzzle Rifles for long shooting, these guns are far ahead of all others that are made, on account of the great distance as well as the accuracy with which they can be fired. Rifles of all sizes and qualities made to order. All kinds of guns and pistols repaired in the neatest manner, and shortest notice, warranted to stand. As Gilmore’s shop was located on the trail to Texas (highway 80 today), it is likely that he furnished many settlers and frontiersmen with guns. In 1860, Caddo Parish had 1153 registered voters. In 1860 Caddo Parish sent 1500 men to war. On the 17th day of May 1861, J. B. Gilmore entered the military service of the Confederate States of America as Captain of “F” Company, Shreveport Rangers, 3rd Regiment, Louisiana Infantry. His regiment was transported by the steamer “Grand Duke” to New Orleans and then proceeded to Fort Smith, Ark., reporting to General Ben McCulloch, commanding the Army of the West. He served with his command in all the skermishes and fights including the battles of Oak Hills and Elk Horn in Ark. and Mo. On the 1st of May 1862, his regiment arrived at Corinth, Miss., where it was reorganized on the 8th of May. As a result of this reorganization, Gilmore was elected Lt. Colonel. Lt. Colonel Gilmore participated in the skermishes at Farmington and other points near Corinth. Col. F. C. Armstrong was appointed a Brigadier General, and on 6 July took leave of the regiment. Soon after Gilmore was appointed to full Colonel by President Davis and assumed command of the regiment. At the battle of Iuka, Miss., on 19 Sept., 1862, Col. Gilmore was severely wounded and, not being able to withdraw with his regiment, was captured. He was paroled on the 23rd of Sept., and rejoined his regiment at Snyder’s Bluff. He was with the regiment during their investment at Vicksburg, Miss., but being very weak did not assume command. He resigned his command on 7 July, 1863 and was paroled with his regiment but never exchanged.