Keeping the Powder Dry
1851 Springfield .69 Caliber Musket
Pattern 1853 Enfield .58 Caliber Rifle-Musket
| The Civil War soldier rarely
fought in the rain although, much to his dislike, he often marched in it. To the
best of my knowledge, the Battle of Ox Hill has the distinction of being the only major
Civil War battle that was fought during a raging storm. The battle clearly demonstrates
not only the limitations of a muzzle loaded weapon under these extreme conditions but also
how the combatants were affected by it. The paper cartridges containing the bullet and gunpowder were useless if they got wet. It was also quite a task, with the gun barrel pointing upward, to rip a paper cartridge, pour the powder down the barrel, insert the bullet, withdraw the ramrod and ram it down the barrel without the powder getting wet. The soldier would then have to cock his weapon and place a percussion cap on the nipple exposing the vent hole (and powder) to rain as well. If the weapon didn't fire, the soldier would attach a "worm" (see below) to the end of his ramrod, extract the bullet and empty the wet powder. Often the wet powder would stick to the inside of the barrel so the soldier would have to attach a brush to the ramrod to clean the barrel. A "vent pick" (see "Whatever fits") was also used to clear fouled powder from the vent hole. Keep in mind that these steps were performed while the soldier was under fire.
|
 |
||
Bottom |
Hammer resting on a nipple protector made from a .69 cal. ball. |
Top |
| Nipple Indent .69 Caliber Ball |
Hammer Indent .69 Caliber Ball |
|
   |
||
| Handmade .58 Caliber Nipple Protectors |
 |
 |
Chain from a Enfield musket nipple protector found in the cornfield. These items were seldom issued in both armies. |
Enfield
"Worm" with .58 Caliber Minie |
 |
 |
| "Screw" Used to pull Minie's & Round Balls |
Assorted pulled Minie's & Balls. Top middle is a .69 Ball that was pulled twice. |
