The range and accuracy of both musket and field cannons improved much since the revolutionary war (80 years prior) , however infantry tactics had not kept pace with these advances in weaponry.
Because of the arrival of the new rifled weapons that could be accurate at much greater ranges.
it was a fight :]
because it was a massacre one side would shot then the other right in front of each other 10 maybe 20 feet away it was nasty it was dumb and they would stand in a sraight line it was like target practice
In the US Civil War artillery batteries were generally assigned to either regiments or battalions.The commanding infantry officer ranked above the officer in charge of the artillery. This made sense as the former officer had a better knowledge of battle plans and overall strategy and tactics.
Early ancient Greek battle tactics are identified as "shock tactics". Before archery, javelins and heavy cavalry were employed by the Greeks, the basic battle tactic was fighting hand to hand with unsophisticated weapons of war. Three thousand years later, the soldiers of the US Civil War had highly developed weapons and sophisticated battle tactics. With that said, however, "shock tactics" lived on through the millenniums. Soldiers in the US Civil War had a weapon for "shock tactics" and when fighting in close quarters, the fixed bayonet was the instrument of "shock value".
During the US Civil War, battle tactics on both sides of the conflict varied based on any number of factors. With that said, and all elements being equal, a typical style of tactics would be the following:* Each side would be positioned in opposing lines of battle;* Soldiers would be massed shoulder to shoulder in each regiments in the battle;* For soldiers armed with single shot rifle muskets this was the best way to concentrate infantry firepower;* Once within the rifle range of the enemy, infantry on both sides would begin firing;* The attacking soldiers firing and loading as they advanced across open ground; and* The attackers' pace of advancement slowed by the need to prime, load, ram, and fire the muzzle loaded rifle musket.As previously mentioned this was not the tactics always used, however, it was used often enough to make note of it.
Union General Silas Casey became famous not so much by his battles during the US Civil War, but instead through his military manuals. His massive works on infantry tactics were published in 1862 and 1863. They became the so-called Bible of military tactics in the US Civil War.
Oliver Cromwell employed disciplined formations and innovative tactics, such as the "New Model Army," which emphasized training, unity, and mobility, allowing for effective cavalry maneuvers and coordinated infantry attacks. He often used surprise and strategic positioning to outmaneuver Royalist forces. In contrast, King Charles II, during the latter stages of the Civil Wars, relied on traditional battle tactics and sought to leverage his cavalry's strength, aiming for decisive confrontations, although he struggled with the lack of cohesive strategy and support among his troops. Ultimately, Cromwell's tactics proved more effective in securing victories for the Parliamentarians.
The First Battle of Manassas, also known as the First Battle of Bull Run, took place in July 1861 and involved several key regiments from both the Confederate and Union armies. The Confederate forces included the 1st Virginia Infantry, the 4th Alabama Infantry, and the 33rd Virginia Infantry, among others. The Union side featured regiments such as the 1st Maine Infantry, the 14th Brooklyn (New York) Regiment, and the 69th New York Infantry. This battle marked a significant early conflict in the Civil War, highlighting the fierce determination of both sides.
Automatic weapons (gattling gun), cannon technology, rapid-fire firearms (lever action rifle, shotgun), infantry and calvary tactics.
The US Civil War Battle of Antietam was a battle between the Southern Army of Northern Virginia and its opponent the Army of the Potomac.Dominating this battle was the tactics of Generals George McClellan and Robert E. Lee.
There were no Red Coats because this book is set in the Civil War