| The Flintlock musket was probably one of the most sucessful muskets ever made. It was used up to the civil war when it was replaced by the percussion cap, and later metal cartriges. Back then muskets were not very accurate so they played a role in battle similar to arrows. Armies would stand in rank and file with the cavalry on the flanks. They would fire volleys at the enemy. The idea was that some of the bullets would hit, soften up and demoralize the enemy. If they didnt retreat under the barrage then the armies charged each other with bayonets after several rounds. They fought until one side lost the will to fight. Therefore if one part of the line falls, everyone retreats. An orginized withdrawl was better than a full-blown retreat becouse when everyone is running in disarray it is easier for the cavalry to come in and kill everyone. Its hard to imagine the fear that struck the soldiers in battle but it was very real. During the civil war rifles were used becouse of a new invention called the mini-ball. It was small and easy to load but expanded when the gun fired and gripped the grooves. |