Originally Posted by 03USMC

Prepared Cartridges had powder then ball in a paper wrapper. Bite off the powder end pour the powder down the muzzle work the ball into the muzzle ram the ball and paper (for wadding) down the barrel.

You forgot that some of the powder had to be put into the frizzen to ignite the gun

Originally Posted by Peterminator

You forgot that some of the powder had to be put into the frizzen to ignite the gun

I think percussion caps were in use by the time of paper cartridges.

In the time of the musket accuracy was not needed because volume of fire was valued more. The 2 Armies would stand in long thin ranks and each army fired together. The theory was that some of the enemy would get hit by the stream of bullets. That was the mopup, then the infantry
would charge with fixed bayonets. Usually they charged after 5 or more volleys but usually this was enough to send the less powerful army into retreat. If the enemy retreated too fast for the infantry to follow in order then the calvary charged and killed as many of them as they could.The artillery was used for braking down walls and if they were on a hill overlooking the battlefield the artillery would fire at the enemy also, the cannon balls going over the heads of their infantry. Grape shots were deadly at close range. Think of them as buck shots used in artillery.
This kind of warfare was called attrition warfare. The technology of the time did not allow commanders to be creative so battles were won by superior firepower and by which army could hold their ground without retreating from battle.

Originally Posted by Missileer

I think percussion caps were in use by the time of paper cartridges.

No cartriges were in use even in the american revolution.
(the message in parentheses i edited a couple of minutes after this post:go to page 2)

Originally Posted by Peterminator

No cartriges were in use even in the american revolution.

I just looked at the first post, you're right. Pre-measured powder and ball was not in use until into the Civil War. Colonials had flintlocks and powder flasks of all sorts from brass that would deliver a measure of powder in the muzzle and some shaken into the flash pan. The most common was a horn with the tip cut off and fashioned into a measuring cup.

Originally Posted by Missileer

I just looked at the first post, you're right. Pre-measured powder and ball was not in use until into the Civil War. Colonials had flintlocks and powder flasks of all sorts from brass that would deliver a measure of powder in the muzzle and some shaken into the flash pan. The most common was a horn with the tip cut off and fashioned into a measuring cup.

I meant NO, cartriges were in use in the american revolution.
The powder horn you described was in use but mainly by civilians therefore the militia.Paper Cartriges were in use by the military becouse it was faster to reload the musket. I know that for a fact thanks to the internet,books and the movie The Patriot (it rocks)

The powder horn was carried when using paper cartridges in order to add more powder to your shot for greater range, and often the soldier would carry a better powder, his own blend shall we say. This was often used by rifle regiments and skirmishers in the British army (armed with the venerable Baker rifle).

As for the frizzen. The way it'd work was, the soldier would usually bite the end off the catridge, hold the ball in his mouth. Just a dab of powder in the frizzen, close that up. Then pour the powder down the barrel, drop the paper in, shot in next. Ram it all down with your ram rod, sling that back in its rings and your laughing. A good soldier could get off four rounds a minute.

As for the Baker rifle, it was rifled (logically) so it was harder to ram the charge home. Each shot would be wrapped in a small patch of oiled leather to grip the grooves. It could be used without the leather but then it was only as good as a musket.

Originally Posted by AussieNick

The powder horn was carried when using paper cartridges in order to add more powder to your shot for greater range, and often the soldier would carry a better powder, his own blend shall we say. This was often used by rifle regiments and skirmishers in the British army (armed with the venerable Baker rifle).

As for the frizzen. The way it'd work was, the soldier would usually bite the end off the catridge, hold the ball in his mouth. Just a dab of powder in the frizzen, close that up. Then pour the powder down the barrel, drop the paper in, shot in next. Ram it all down with your ram rod, sling that back in its rings and your laughing. A good soldier could get off four rounds a minute.

As for the Baker rifle, it was rifled (logically) so it was harder to ram the charge home. Each shot would be wrapped in a small patch of oiled leather to grip the grooves. It could be used without the leather but then it was only as good as a musket.

Mostly I agree exept that the british had the brown bess
mabe i just never heard of the baker but they had the brown bess as a standard issue smoothbore

The standard issue to regular troops was the Brown Bess. The Baker was issued to units of sharp shooters. I cannot for the life of me remember the name of the preimere unit although I do know they were outfitted in Green Uniforms and used their Shako's as rest when firing in the prone position. Maybe Aussienick can help you out with that.

Originally Posted by 03USMC

The standard issue to regular troops was the Brown Bess. The Baker was issued to units of sharp shooters. I cannot for the life of me remember the name of the preimere unit although I do know they were outfitted in Green Uniforms and used their Shako's as rest when firing in the prone position. Maybe Aussienick can help you out with that.

well in "North and South" a civil war miniseries the Union has
Sharpshooters in green Uniforms and they were given better rifles than the standard infantry of course