American Civil War Weapons, Tactics, and Battalions

During the American Civil War there were many battalions, some that changed the outcome of the war. Each battalion used different weapons depending on location. Some battalions had different tactics during battles. Certain battalions are famous for what they have done. These were major to battalions and made up their name in history. Weapons used by battalions could change the outcome of a battle depending on the type of battalions that are participating in the fight. The weapons changed the range and radius of a battle and the better a weapon is the more a soldier could do with it. Tactics used by battalions differ depending on the type of battalion. The many different tactics made attacking a base not very predictable, they didn’t know if they were walking into a firing squad or an artillery strike. And with support battalions like medical or logistics supplies and aid wasn’t terrible for its time.

Some battalions even changed the outcome of the war. These battalions either weakened forts or cleared way for the others to push.. These were major to battalions and made up their name in history. They showed fighting style that has helped us improved in the future and gave other battalion that national pride that made a soldier want to fight to the best of his ability. This is the impact of weapons and tactics during the American Civil War.

Weapons Used by BattalionsInfantry battalions mostly used rifled muskets during the American Civil War. Rifled muskets were given to every infantry soldier. These rifles shot minie balls. Another type of bullet is the .69 bullet, however they were more uncommon because the 1842 muskets were not manufactured as much. The barrels were 40 inches long giving them a good ranged (Civil War, John Stanchak).Officers were given a colt revolver and sabre sword. The revolvers varied but most of the the revolvers shoot .49 bullets. They were more effective in close quarters combat because of how fast they can switch between shots but the range was not like rifles. (Weapons and Tactics of the American Civil War)2. Example #2 Cavalry and artillery battalions used different weapons then the infantry battalions.a. Calvary used carbine rifles. b. Artillery used cannons and mortars.Weapons could have been a huge impact in certain battles. Having nes that could shoot multiple shots to having cannons that explode cut out a huge number of wounded soldiers on the field.

Tactics Used By Battalions

1. Example #1 Front Linesa. Infantry, front lines most the time with no strategy but to wait until night or rush their enemies.b. Artillery, explosive experts. Used mortars and cannons. They also mounted cannons to trains for drive by mobile artillery.
2. Example #2 Supportc. Calvary, supporting line. Came in after main forces. Had horses with swords and carbine rifles.d. Medics and logistics, Were not involved in the battle most the time. Logistics would deliver supplies like ammo. Medics would do their best to get people who were hurt out the fight and healed up. These were the most common tactics used during the American Civil War.

Famous Battalions

1. Example #1 54th Massachusetts Volunteer Infantrya.

History

1. Captain Robert Shaw gets promoted to colonel of the 54th Massachusetts Infantry. Thomas Searles is the first volunteer for the battalion. The battalion becomes an almost all black battalion made up of mostly ex slaves. The Confederacy wants them to be put back on slavery. After the 54th completes training, they get transferred under the command of General Charles Harker Battles1. Olustee, Fort wagner (Glory)
2. People found the battalion to be useless and still had rough feelings against them.c. Legacy, after the battle of fort wagner, the colored people who fought were given their equal pay. (Glory)The last battle this battalion served in. Almost won the battle but due to cannons they lost while besieging the fort.*(since this reason is best, a 3rd example to support is necessary)
2. The Greatest Brigadea.

History

The brigade originally consisted of the 63rd New York Infantry, the 69th New York Infantry, and the 88th New York Infantry. Battle First Battle of Bull Run, c. Legacy1. Compare / Contrast both3. Example #3 – The 16th Connecticut’s Civil Wara.

History

The 16th Connecticut Volunteer Infantry was unprepared for battle a month later, when it entered the fight at Antietam. The results were catastrophic: nearly a quarter of the men were killed or wounded, and Connecticut’s 16th panicked and fled the field. In the years that followed, the regiment participated in minor skirmishes before surrendering en masse in North Carolina in 1864. Most of its members spent months in southern prison camps, including the notorious Andersonville stockade, where disease and starvation took the lives of over one hundred members of the unit.

Battle Antietamc Legacy

Over time, competing stories emerged of who they were, why they endured what they did, and how they should be remembered. By the end of the century, their collective recollections reshaped this troubling and traumatic past, and the “unfortunate regiment” emerged as the “Brave Sixteenth,” their individual memories and accounts altered to fit the more heroic contours of the Union victory.*(This example should be your most convincing example to this point “Sealing the Deal” for your reader. A fair evaluation of the “other side of the issue” may also be appropriate here; however, your stand needs to be made most clearly!)CCS (Conclude your thoughts concerning your third and final reason.)V. These were what battalions were like during the Civil War.

A. Weapons varied in different type of battalion during the Civil War.

B. Different battalions used different tactics during the Civil War.

C. “Revisit the nature” of your third reason (Do Not Repeat)CCS: During the American Civil war many battalion have been whipped out or disbanded because of casualties. This is most likely because of the extreme weapons and ruthless tactics used.