Jeff Davis on Breechloading Rifles

In 1858 Davis said the following supporting breech-loading Carbines for the Calvary - but not the infantry:

"... the only value of a Breech-loading arm belongs to its use by the Calvary; that is in other words, the value of the breech-loading, so far as it applies to military purposes, is confined to those cases where the man does not have the freedom of action to load the piece at the muzzle. I think is better served by with a muzzle-loader than a breech-loading piece. When breech loading had its value in rapidity in fire, or in putting the ball in so as to be tight in passing out. All that has been superseded by the introduction of the expanding ball, which is put in loose at the muzzle, rammed home without delay, and passes out tight. There is, therefore, no advantage to the footman in loading the piece at the breech. There are many disadvantages. It complicates the machinery of the piece. It is liable to get out of order. It usually requires special ammunition, and when the special ammunition is exhausted troops must be supplied from cassions with that special ammunition. If however, the ammunition is of one kind, you can go to the first cassion you reach. All special ammunition are subject to objection. The parts cannot be interchanged with other arms, and if get out of order must be thrown away."

Per The Papers of Jefferson Davis Volume 6, Davis as Secretary Of War, showed little enthusiasm for breech loading rifles, and once back in the Senate, thwarted plans to convert muskets to breach-loaders or to buy new breech loading rifles.

The Civil War - Myth of The Deadly Springfield 1861 Rifle Musket

From General Rosecrans Report on the Battle of Stones River

Their average loss, taken from the statistics of Cleburne's, Breckin-ridge's, and Withers' divisions, was about 2,080 each. This, for six divisions of infantry and one of cavalry, will amount to 14,560 men, or to ours nearly as 165 to 100.
Of 14,560 rebels struck by our missiles, it is estimated that 20,000 rounds of artillery hit 728 men; 2,000,000 rounds of musketry hit 13,832 men, averaging 27.4 cannon-shots to hit 1 man; 145 musket-shots to hit 1 man.

General Thomas states the Army of the Cumberland expended 12,000,000 rounds from May to Sept 1864. Sherman gives the total Confederate loss Killed and Wounded during these four months as 22,000. Even if you assume all 22,000 KIA/WIA were caused by the Army of Cumberland musketry that comes to approximately 545 Springfield musket cartridges to hit one confederate soldier.