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How did the use of the rifle and minie ball change combat tactics in the US Civil War?
Wiki User
∙ 12y ago
The use of the Minie Ball did not change the tactics of the commanders of civil war infantry regiments.The biggest change that the minie ball offered was the ability of the infantry soldier to engage the enemy at longer distance,s effectively.The ability of the minie balls skirt or base to bump up to the diameter of the bores diameter and engage the rifling was a vast improvement in accuracy at longer distances than was available with the earlier smooth bore muskets of the time.
Wiki User
∙ 12y ago
Wiki User
∙ 8y agoContrary to popular belief, idea that the rifle musket revolutionized tactics and firefights during the US Civil War is not true. In one sense this is to simply reference the short range and long duration of firefights. Here follows a summary outline:
* Attacking formations were not mowed down before they reached close to the enemy. Even at the Fredericksburg disaster assault by the Army of the Potomac, Union troops were often able to reach the first wall of fortifications laid out by the Confederates;
* In a manner of speaking soldiers managed to position themselves at highly Napoleonic Era ranges and persevere until their ammunition expired;
* The new rifles did not prevent artillery from firing at canister range from the enemy;
* The cavalry was not swept from the field by the improved firepower. In the early years of the war, and cavalry was hesitant as a result of poor preparation, and by the end of the war became a decisive force, even at using the saber. One example of this in in 1864, when Confederate General Jubal Early raided Maryland and took with him a cavalry unit. They were essential in carrying out raids and destroying supplies and communication lines as they passed through Pennsylvania.
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What about Civil War bullets?
The US Civil War was our last war fought with muskets. The Civil War was a transitioning phase to metalic cartridges, that we still use today. When US Civil War soldiers fired their muskets/rifles there was no spent shell casing to eject from the weapon. Only a lead ball or minie bullet came out of the muzzle (minie bullet was shaped like today's bullet...long missile shaped). Some Spencer repeating rifles were used (the transitioning phase) in which spent copper shell cases were ejected from the weapons.
Who used the minie ball more in the civil war?
The Union. They were the ones who actually manufactured the Springfield Rifled Muskets (as they were known), and the Confederacy was only able to acquire them through capture, which limited their supply.
Why did Civil War generals use Napoleon Bonaparte's famous military strategies?
At the time Napoleonic tactics were a widespread and accepted military doctrine in many military institutions around the world and Napoleon's campaigns had widespread influence on the western world. These tactics were feverishly taught at West Point where a majority of the American generals were taught. So much so that students were required to learn French to be able to translate the reading material given to them on Napoleon. You also have to understand that for over 20 years Napoleon and his French armies dominated the other powers of Europe and defeated multinational coalitions brought up to defeat him so it would make sense they would be studied and emulated by future generations. Many military commanders in the American Civil War also idolized and emulated Napoleon and his tactics along with dreams of glory and grandeur. The basic point of Napoleonic tactics was to have masses of infantry in shoulder to shoulder ranks usually three men deep to maximize their firepower against the enemy. Unfortunately technology had far outpaced the tactics by this time. By this time most weapons used rifling which greatly increased the accuracy of artillery and muskets as well as the minie-ball which resulted in the horrendous casualties during battles. By wars end these tactics had been largely abandoned such as the Siege of Petersburg which quickly transformed into trench warfare and a lesson Europe would wait to learn in World War One.
Did the rifle musket revolutionize the US Civil War?
Many military experts believed that the rifle musket would have a major effect on the US Civil War. One outstanding feature of this weapon was its increase in range in comparison to the smoothbore musket. In actuality, official reports on US Civil War battles indicated that the expectations, for example, of being able to hit long range targets would cause more casualties. Actual combat situations however continued to be short range battles between the opposing forces. The 500 yard range of a rifle musket, with no modern day scopes, made it difficult to make accurate hits on faraway enemy targets. Also, the arc of the minie ball when fired at long range targets made it extremely difficult to gauge and aim the rifle effectively.
Why was the civil war the deadliest war?
since both sides fighting against each other in the civil war were American, every casualty was an American casualty, as opposed to wars where the enemy side was from another nation. That, combined with new warfare technology like the gunboat, the mortar, primitive machines guns and hand grenades, and canister shots made the civil war the deadliest war
How did the use of the rifle and minie ball change combat tactics in the rifle war?
The use of the Minie Ball did not change the tactics of the commanders of civil war infantry regiments.The biggest change that the minie ball offered was the ability of the infantry soldier to engage the enemy at longer distance,s effectively.The ability of the minie balls skirt or base to bump up to the diameter of the bores diameter and engage the rifling was a vast improvement in accuracy at longer distances than was available with the earlier smooth bore muskets of the time.
How did the use of rifles and minie balls change war tactics in the Civil War?
Rifles that used minie balls contributed to the high casualty rate in the Civil War. Rifles with minie balls could shoot farther and more accurately and could be reloaded faster than old-fashioned muskets. As a result, mounted charges and infantry assaults did not work as well. Defenders using rifles could shoot more of the attackers before they got close. As a result, mounted charges and infantry assaults did not work as well. Defenders using
What invention forever changed warfare post-Civil War?
Do you mean, what invention utilised during the Civil War changed combat? The rifle-barrelled cannon. Or the minie-ball. The post-war invention would have been the machine-gun.
How did Minie ball changed the world?
The Minie ball made great changes in military tactics- it greatly extended the range, accuracy and power of the standard infantry rifle, and increased the rate of fire.
What is a minie ball bullet?
The Minie Ball haha i have been shot by one before i had to have my leg amputated. The Minie Ball was used in the Civil War and in a few other wars but it was mainly used in the Civil War. It is conelike with a hollow bottom and three or two rings depending on where it waz made.
What guns did the union use in the civil war?
They used .58 caliber minie bullet's, lead slugs, and Thud Cannon's.
How old is minie mouse?
27
What is the name of the biggest pig?
:) it is minie
What about Civil War bullets?
The US Civil War was our last war fought with muskets. The Civil War was a transitioning phase to metalic cartridges, that we still use today. When US Civil War soldiers fired their muskets/rifles there was no spent shell casing to eject from the weapon. Only a lead ball or minie bullet came out of the muzzle (minie bullet was shaped like today's bullet...long missile shaped). Some Spencer repeating rifles were used (the transitioning phase) in which spent copper shell cases were ejected from the weapons.
Who used the minie ball more in the civil war?
The Union. They were the ones who actually manufactured the Springfield Rifled Muskets (as they were known), and the Confederacy was only able to acquire them through capture, which limited their supply.
What was the name of the bullet that so many soldiers on both sides used during the civil war?
I think you're referring to the "minie ball" which was a French invention. It was one of the first spin-stabilized conical bullets to be used. The rifles used to shoot it had a rifled barrel to impart spin to the minie ball. Earlier muskets shot round balls and had smooth bores.
Doe mickie and minie mouse get marrried?
yes
