Yeah, that would be a start. Especially since the most commonly issued sidearm in the Union army was a .44 caliber Colt or Remington revolver. The .36 caliber Navy Colt was more predominant in the southern army. Maybe they were suicides?
when you are guarding/abusing/torturing/murdering DEFENSELESS POWs, most any weapon will do. even a rock.
FRee dixie,sw