Title
The Rifle Musket in Civil War Combat: Reality and Myth (Modern War Studies),Used
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The Civil War's singleshot, muzzleloading musket revolutionized warfareor so we've been told for years. Noted historian Earl J. Hess forcefully challenges that claim, offering a new, cleareyed, and convincing assessment of the rifle musket's actual performance on the battlefield and its impact on the course of the Civil War.Many contemporaries were impressed with the new weapon's increased range of 500 yards, compared to the smoothbore musket's range of 100 yards, and assumed that the rifle was a major factor in prolonging the Civil War. Historians have also assumed that the weapon dramatically increased casualty rates, made decisive victories rare, and relegated cavalry and artillery to far lesser roles than they played in smoothbore battles.Hess presents a completely new assessment of the rifle musket, contending that its impact was much more limited than previously supposed and was confined primarily to marginal operations such as skirmishing and sniping. He argues further that its potential to alter battle line operations was virtually nullified by inadequate training, soldiers' preference for shortrange firing, and the difficulty of seeing the enemy at a distance. He notes that bullets fired from the new musket followed a parabolic trajectory unlike those fired from smoothbores; at midrange, those rifle balls flew well above the enemy, creating two killing zones between which troops could operate untouched. He also presents the most complete discussion to date of the development of skirmishing and sniping in the Civil War.Drawing upon the observations and reflections of the soldiers themselves, Hess offers the most compelling argument yet made regarding the actual use of the rifle musket and its influence on Civil War combat. Engagingly written and meticulously researched, his book will be of special interest to Civil War scholars, buffs, reenactors, and gun enthusiasts alike.
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This product may contain chemicals known to the State of California to cause cancer, birth defects, or other reproductive harm.
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- Q: What is the main focus of 'The Rifle Musket in Civil War Combat'? A: The book critically examines the performance and impact of the rifle musket during the Civil War, challenging long-held beliefs about its effectiveness on the battlefield.
- Q: Who is the author of this book? A: The author is Earl J. Hess, a noted historian specializing in Civil War studies.
- Q: How many pages does the book contain? A: The book contains 296 pages.
- Q: What type of binding does this book have? A: This book is available in hardcover binding.
- Q: When was this book published? A: The book was published on September 9, 2008.
- Q: What edition of the book is available? A: It is the First Edition, First Printing of the book.
- Q: What are the key themes discussed in the book? A: Key themes include the limitations of the rifle musket's effectiveness, the development of skirmishing and sniping, and the actual experiences of soldiers using the weapon.
- Q: Is this book suitable for Civil War enthusiasts? A: Yes, it is well-researched and engaging, making it suitable for scholars, buffs, re-enactors, and gun enthusiasts alike.
- Q: Does the book provide historical accounts from soldiers? A: Yes, the author draws upon soldiers' observations and reflections to support his arguments about the use of the rifle musket.
- Q: What is the primary argument made by the author regarding the rifle musket? A: The author argues that the rifle musket's impact was more limited than previously believed, mainly affecting marginal operations rather than altering the course of battles.