Black Powder, White Smoke
The “Stupids” A Postal Match And A Living History Range
Instructing the “Stupids”
In the early months of the Civil War the basics of military life were often difficult to grasp for many volunteers, a situation that caused a Springfield, Massachusetts newspaper to complain that: “Some stupids down near Boston have been loading the United States rifle muskets with cartridges made of heavy paper, and finding that they do not work well, complain of the rifles as in fault.”
Apparently the “stupids” had been loading their rifle muskets in the same manner as they had loaded smoothbore muskets in the past, pouring powder down the muzzle and then ramming down the rest of the cartridge, including the paper casing, unaware that with the rifle musket, the cartridge paper was supposed to be disposed of before inserting the Minie ball in the gun’s muzzle.
The newspaper went on to further lecture the “stupids” that “no paper should be used in loading these arms. First, the powder is poured in from the cartridge, and then the ball is dropped on top, and will go home of itself, but a gentle tap of the ramrod is useful to fill the cavity of the ball with powder, and leave no opportunity for the gas generated by the explosion to escape but behind the ball.” Apparently there were “stupids” on the other side as well, since a Richmond newspaper copied the article as an advisory to Virginians.
In a previous column, I wrote about the international postal match conducted between members of the N-SSA’s 34th Virginia Battalion and a group of British black powder shooters in 2014. The many events at a N-South Skirmish Association National (N-SSA) skirmish, where the contest was held, made it difficult to incorporate the match in the schedule, as British ranges use 30-minute relays while N-SSA events use 10 and 20-minute relays, and the British fire from standing, sitting and prone positions. The leadership of the 34th decided that it would be easier to shoot succeeding postal match events on a regional or local basis.
The 2015 match used the traditional N-SSA clay pigeons on a cardboard backer event timed with a stopwatch, but with five-man teams rather than the usual eight. The Americans cleared the board in 277 seconds, beating the British effort of 417 seconds.
The N-SSA shooters wore full uniform and used period cartridge boxes. One fired period regulation US paper cartridges, the rest loaded with N-SSA style plastic or cardboard tubes that hold a charge plugged by a bullet removed with the teeth or fingers. They all fired American model arms, including three Richmond rifle-muskets, an 1861 Springfield rifle-musket and a Model 1855 Harpers Ferry rifle.
The British shooters did not wear historical clothing and equipment, and only one used a “cartridge” that contained both powder charge and the projectile. The other shooters used charges in holders or tubes, with separate projectiles. They fired various models/patterns of original or reproduction Enfields. Bill Adams of the 34th, who is looking forward to another match this year, noted that: “This is all still a work in progress and has been great fun.” The British shooters have proposed a 200-yard offhand match using balloons as targets for the next postal event, tentatively scheduled for the coming summer, probably at a regional N-SSA shoot in Massachusetts. I will keep you posted.
Colonial Williamsburg, perhaps the most well-known historic venue in the United States, opened an “educational musket range” on March 19. The range offers guests an opportunity to learn about and operate the types of firearms that were used in the American Revolution – and for long afterward. In the opening days of the Civil War flintlocks were often issued to volunteers, and state armories were full of them. While conversion to percussion ignition was expedited wherever possible, some soldiers in the Confederate army carried flintlocks into the war’s early battles.
At the new Williamsburg range, costumed living history interpreters will inform guests about the history of flintlock guns, their mechanical operation and their use in hunting and war, as well as proper and safe handling.
Noting that the range provides a “new level” for engaging history, Peter Seibert, Colonial Williamsburg’s director of historic trades and skills, said. “For decades, our guests could learn about these pieces and watch them being operated. Now they can experience them – the weight, the smell, and the sound – not to mention how challenging their operation was for people whose lives often depended on it.”
Guests, under the direct supervision of staff, will able to prime and fire reproduction British short land pattern muskets and civilian fowling pieces. The range is accessible only by ticketed guests via a shuttle from the Williamsburg Lodge. Admission includes instruction, safety equipment firearms, ammunition,