Appendix
Weapons andTactics at Gettysburg
A variety of weapons was carried at Gettysburg.Revolvers, swords, and bayonets were abundant, but the basic infantryweapon of both armies was a muzzle-loading rifle musket about 4.7 feetlong, weighing approximately 9 pounds. They came in many models, but themost common and popular were the Springfield and the English-madeEnfield. They were hard hitting, deadly weapons, very accurate at arange of 200 yards and effective at 1,000 yards. With black powder,ignited by percussion caps, they fired "Minie Balls"hollow-basedlead slugs half an inch in diameter and an inch long. A good soldiercould load and fire his rifle three times a minute, but in the confusionof battle the rate of fire was probably slower.
There were also some breech-loading small arms atGettysburg. Union cavalrymen carried Sharps and Burnside single-shotcarbines and a few infantry units carried Sharps rifles. Spencerrepeating rifles were used in limited quantity by Union cavalry on July3 and by a few Union infantry. In the total picture of the battle, theuse of these efficient weapons was actually quite small.
Those who fought at Gettysburg with rifles andcarbines were supported by nearly 630 cannon360 Union and 270Confederate. About half of these were rifled iron pieces, all but fourof the others were smoothbore bronze guns. The same types of cannon wereused by both armies.
Almost all of the bronze pieces were 12 pounders,either howitzers or "Napoleons." They could hurl a 12-pound iron ballnearly a mile and were deadly at short ranges, particularly when firingcanister. Other bronze cannon included 24 pounder howitzers and 6pounder guns. All types are represented in the park today, coated withpatina instead of being polished as they were when in use.
Most of the iron rifled pieces at Gettysburg had a3-inch bore and fired a projectile which weighed about 10 pounds. Therewere two types of these3-inch ordnance rifles and 10 pounderParrotts. It is easy to tell them apart for the Parrott has areinforcing jacket around its breech, The effective range of these gunswas somewhat in excess of a mile, limited in part because direct firewas used and the visibility of gunners was restricted.
Two other types of rifled guns were used atGettysburgfour bronze James guns and two Whitworth rifles. TheWhitworths were unique because they were breech loading and werereported to have had exceptional range and accuracy. However, theireffect at Gettysburg must have been small for one was out of action muchof the time.
These artillery pieces used three types ofammunition. All cannon could fire solid projectiles or shot. Theyalso hurled fused, hollow shells which contained black powder andsometimes held lead balls or shrapnel. Canister consisted of cansfilled with iron or lead balls. These cans burst apart on firing,converting the cannon into an oversized shotgun.
Weapons influenced tactics. At Gettysburg a regimentformed for battle, fought, and moved in a two rank line, its menshoulder to shoulder, the file closets in the rear. Since the averagestrength of regiments here was only 350 officers and men, the length ofa regiment's line was a little over 100 yards. Such a formation broughtthe regiment's slow-firing rifles together under the control of theregimental commander, enabling him to deliver a maximum of fire power ata given target. The formation's shallowness had a two-fold purpose, itpermitted all ranks to fire, and it presented a target of minimum depthto the enemy's fire.
Four or five regiments were grouped into a brigade,two to five brigades formed a division. When formed for the attack, abrigade moved forward in a single or double line of regiments until itcame within effective range of the enemy line. Then both parties blazedaway, attempting to gain the enemy's flank if feasible, until one sideor the other was forced to retire. Confederate attacking forces weregenerally formed with an attacking line in front and a supporting linebehind. Federal brigades in the defense also were formed with supportingtroops in a rear line when possible. Breastworks were erected if timepermitted, but troops were handicapped in this work because entrenchingtools were in short supply.
Like their infantry comrades, cavalrymen also foughton foot, using their horses as means of transportation. However, mountedcharges were also made in the classic fashion, particularly in the greatcavalry battle on July 3.
Cavalry and infantry were closely supported byartillery. Batteries of from four to six guns occupied the crests ofridges and hills from which a field of fire could be obtained. They wereusually placed in the forward lines, protected by supporting infantryregiments posted on their flanks or in their rear. Limbers containingtheir ammunition were nearby. Because gunners had to see their targets,artillery positions sheltered from the enemy's view were still in thefuture.
