NPS drill

[DonSmithnotTMD]

I found this by accident and was curious if this is Vicksburg unique or truly NPS policy as it says.

http://www.nps.gov/vick/interp/lhrifle.htm

[Robert Braun]

I found this by accident and was curious if this is Vicksburg unique or truly NPS policy as it says.

http://www.nps.gov/vick/interp/lhrifle.htm

Hmmm... why not ask them?

Click on the emial button at the bottom of the page and fire a note off to VNMP.

Regards, Bob.

[DonSmithnotTMD]

good point. it's late here and I wasn't thinking. Would be curious to hear if anybody has experienced this.

e-mail sent -- lets see.

[wavey1us]

Never ceases to amaze me how folks deviate from the drill manual in the name of safety. I am wondering back during the ACW how many accidents occurred in the ranks due to improper loading techniques (???????) Assuming that this is the drill they would use for a double rank, I would hate to be the poor guy in the front rank.

[Fod]

"During the prolonged silence of the enemy's musketry, a sad accident occured in our midst, resulting in the loss of a young Captain from the Ninth NH Regiment. A soldier near him, while in the act of placing a cap on the tube of his musket, accidentally let go the hammer, thus discharging it, killing him instantly"

From "Charge at Day-Break, scenes and incidents at the Battle of the Mine Explosion, Near Petersburg, VA, July 30th, 1864 Written by Lieut. J.J. Chase who is now totally blind in consequence of a wound received in the fatal charge after the explosion" Lewiston [Maine] 1875.

Was this bad drill (the angle the musket was being held couldn't have been correct, unless the Captain was on the embankment above the man) or a broken half cock? "...accidentally let go the hammer..."

Hmm...

[LWhite64]

Yes, that is the NPS standard. It has been this way for well over 20 years that I am aware of. We have our own artillery drill as well.

Lee

[DonSmithnotTMD]

Sounds like he was holding the hammer.

I know an unfortunate 13-year-old who had a similar experience with a .357. I forget his name right now. No one was hurt but a door looked kinda bad.