Rifles Versus Smoothbores, did it make a difference? By Thomas Arliskas On Tuesday, September 28th, 2021, I was a part of a Civil War
of Ordnance for the Confederate Army Josiah Gorgas, and how
Weapons Demonstration done at Fort Shenandoah, the same
in a special report to the Confederate Congress in May of 1861,
week as our Fall Nationals. The idea for a Demonstration came
he stated he had but 150,000 guns in storage for the anticipated
from our Past Commander and friend Mr. Phil Spaugy. Phil had
call for 189,000 new CS recruits and another 10,000 CS Army
received permission to hold such an event from our Board of
Regulars. Of that 150,000, 120,000 were smoothbores of all ages
Directors. The whole idea was to invite high level Academics,
and types. Only 15,000 or so were rifles old and new and the
Park Historians, Editors and Writers to visit us and partake
rest an assortment of Cavalry Carbines of all types and pistols.
in something most of them have never done, fire a Civil War
That in early 1861 and 1862, the smoothbore was the Queen of
Revolver, Smoothbore, Rifle, Carbine, and Cannon using live
Battle. The type of firearm most commonly used by both Union
ammunition. For many it was a first and they really enjoyed
and Confederate Armies East and West in those early Battles.
themselves. Now, I am positive a lot of my fellow Skirmishers
Now my audience, they seemed perplexed yet interested. Even
reading these first few sentences are rolling their eyes and
Phil Spaugy! I went on that in recent Civil War studies-- several
muttering, “hey we done that 100 times already at our local
books on Civil War Small Arms and their use in combat state
Skirmishes, so big deal.” True! I have done it too, letting the
that the smoothbore could hold its own against an 1855 Rifled
general public take a shot with a Springfield Rifle or a Sharp’s
Musket or a Mississippi Rifle with a .54 bullet or even a Rifled
Carbine. The whole idea to get people to join the team. I know!
.69 Caliber Model 1842. That Rifles made no difference for these
But the folks that attended the Demonstration on the 28th
authors in the outcome of a Battle. That the Rifled musket was
were, Mr. James Hessler, Author, Licensed Battlefield Guide at
not the game changer, the new weapon of modern warfare for
Gettysburg and Founder of the Battle of Gettysburg Podcasts,
1861. They stated the short distances where the two sides would
Dana Shoaf, Editor of Civil War Times, Melissa Winn, Director of
open fire was one reason. Many Civil War Battles were fought at
Photography, History NET, Chris Howland, Editor of America’s
close range, true. That the Infantry had very little sight practice
Civil War, and Keith McGill representing the Adams County
or range time with their new rifles was two. True for many. That
Historical Society.
the tactics taught were Napoleonic in nature was the third reason.
My job was to run the Smoothbore Demonstration for our
Massed columns of men, moving shoulder to shoulder, firing
guests. Phil and I talked, and I believed letting someone shoot a
volley after volley then the assault with the bayonet! So, who cares
smoothbore is interesting, but educational for a high-level Civil
if you have a rifle or smoothbore if your being trained to fight
War Editor or Writer? Without historic input it was nothing but
this way? The smoothbore they said firing buck and ball, one
a mid-morning, “Oh Wow, I shot a smoothbore gun event!” So,
large ball and three smaller buckshot, or a shotgun loaded with
when the guests arrived, they were introduced, then we were
buckshot,10 was the number the CS ordnance Department put in
introduced, of course safety was discussed, a short History of Fort
many of these cartridges was a lot deadlier to a line of men 40 or
Shenandoah and the N-SSA presented, we talked about what we
70 yards away then one shot from a rifle. You could knock down
were scheduled to do that day and then Phil called on me to start
two or three of the enemy with one shot. All of our guests have
the program rolling. I proceeded to tell them about the Chief
read the smoothbore was good out to 100 yards or more! Quoted
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