Ammunition for Shiloh

[Matt Woodburn]

Part of what we'll recreate with the 15th Iowa is when they were first issued ammunition at Pittsburg Landing. So here's what we'll do to accomplish it. At registration we'll collect 50 rounds wrapped in arsenal packs from every man except officers. You need to turn these in to get your boat pass. You will only need 50 rounds for the event. You will not carry ANY rounds or caps on the boat as there will be a lot of open flames lighting it. Yes, you'll be inspected before you get on the bus at registration to go to Savannah, TN on Friday. In each arsenal pack you must include 12 caps in a paper tube or someone will have no caps when they are issued rounds. All rounds need to be 65 grains of powder. You will very unlikely get the rounds you rolled as we're collecting 20,000 rounds that are going into 20 ammunition crates. Because we'll issue these rounds from ammunition crates, we want all the labels to be the same. You need to glue these labels to your five arsenal packs. Please follow these directions so everyone has the same 65 grain rounds with 12 caps per pack and the same label. If you registered for the event you were emailed the correct St. Louis label. If you didn't get it, contact your company commander. If you have any problems with your labels, please contact your Company commander. This will be one of many little things that we do that sets us apart from the rest.

[Strawfoot]

As a member of Cal Kinzers 24th Missouri, I have experience with these 1st Fed Division events and they are powderfests. At past events we've been briefed to bring anywhere from 120-150 rounds I sh*t you not. At 50 rounds per man, I'm just wondering if the battalion may end up a little light, especially for the morning Sunday battle.

I'm wondering about the opportunity to stage rounds in our Saturday night camp for a re-supply. Just sayin.

[pvt_jb]

Having an idea of the amount of planning that has gone into this I have no doubts this has all been planned out as well.

[pvt_jb]

Another thought. Given we are going to be firing by file and independent fire NCO'S and officers should be mindful of the rate of fire. Not using rammers, men could go through rounds quickly. Our job (officers/NCOs) should be to help reduce this by slowing men down. We should not turn into powder burners.

[Boucher42]

I would think that being "green" to the manual of arms and firing, given the whole situation at hand (being shot at) the rate of fire was probably historically low. I think folks tend to forget such things like "danger" and "mayhem" when real lead and steel cannon shot is not being hurled down range. I have metal detected lines of battle and there is an enormous amount of dropped items, it is fair to assume there was quite a commotion about these fellows.

[Matt Woodburn]

We'll fire by file to get started, but then I intend to fire by rank, and by company which will devolve to companies within a division. That conserves fire. And we show up to the first battle after it gets started. Some guys are bringing rounds to put in the Saturday camp and you're welcome to if you want.

[VA-Patriot'61]

Scott,
There was a decent Battlefield Detectives episode done on Shiloh and the Hornet's Nest a few years back. I think it's still on Netflix, but they basically did an analysis of dropped vs. Spent/fired rounds by type and caliber in different locations around the battlefield. Found it pretty unique, you might too.

[Boucher42]

Scott,
There was a decent Battlefield Detectives episode done on Shiloh and the Hornet's Nest a few years back. I think it's still on Netflix, but they basically did an analysis of dropped vs. Spent/fired rounds by type and caliber in different locations around the battlefield. Found it pretty unique, you might too.

Cool. I will check it out.

[ISTOUT]

It is still on Netflix oddley enough I just watched it today LOL.. Very interesting their study of dropped vs fired rounds at different locations at Shiloh..

[VA-Patriot'61]

Ian,
Let's keep this thread focused on historical context and rounds in regards to Shiloh. The other film has little to do with this topic, please discuss it in the "Sinks" folder.