Skirmish Line Fall 2021

Page 16

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

14 Skirmish Line Fall 2021

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11/8/2021 8:34:06 PM


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