New Weapons of War
Civil War 1861-1865
New Technology changes warfare
As the civil war started there were many new technological breakthroughs, some helped save lives and other made it easier to take them. The Minie ball, full bore rifling, the first standard infantry rifle, and trench warfare are some of them.
Minie ball
Th Minie ball was the new bullet of the time. It replaced the round lead musket balls fired from smooth bore rifles. It has a hollow rear that expands to produce spin, this spinning action made it far more accurate.
Large Bore Rifling
Grooves inside the rifles barrel aided the spin on the Minie ball. The skirt expanded into the groves spinning it down the barrel. This combined with the large .50 Cal bore proved a very deadly combination.
Infantry Rifle
The model 1861 Springfield rifle was the best weapon of the time. It was issued to most of the union forces and featured Rifling, Percussion caps, and fired the lethal Minie ball. It is responsible for around 90% of civil war deaths.
Tactics
Trench Warfare
When you think of trench warfare you think of WW1 and WW2 on the eastern front. While it became iconic in these wars it was pioneered during the American Civil war. It is the practice of digging long ditches across a battlefield, you can stand in the trench and it gives you cover on a barren plain. The Petersburg Campaign saw over 30 miles of trenches and prolonged use of trench warfare. It is one of the best civil war examples of modern trench warfare.
Confederate trenches
Confederate trenches were vast and deep. They provided vital cover across landscapes with few trees
Trenches replace charges
The primary tactic in most civil war battles was volleys both ways then a dramatic charge that often decided the fate of the battle. Trenches were separated by barren plots of land, this land was called no mans land. It was suicide to cross.
Trench weapons
The stall in fighting caused by trench warfare led to the use of mortars. These short cannons shot shells almost straight up and they burst over the enemy trench. This also led to horrific shell injuries.
Civil War Minie Ball