- Joined
- Apr 4, 2017
- Location
- Denver, CO
I think these sources confirm that the availability of repeating rifles was a decisive element in the last 20 months of the US Civil War.
https://44henryrifle.webs.com/civilwarusage.htm
https://www.gunsandammo.com/editorial/7-shot-wonder-the-spencer-repeating-rifle/248815
I would not regard either source as completely accurate.
In the west, the US forces gradually added more Henry rifles and Spencer 7 shot repeaters. The growing fire power made the US soldiers, skirmishers and scouts more dangerous. The Confederates gradually became cautious.
Although the Confederates won the battle of Chickamauga, they took heavy casualties on both ends of their line, from US units equipped with repeating rifles. From that time onward the Confederates became more cautious about engaging the US Army of the Cumberland.
In the east, the growing number of Spencer carbines in the cavalry steadily increased the confidence of the US cavalry until by October of 1864 it was willing to defend against infantry. That growing confidence shortened the war in April of 1865.
If a person is interested in finding one battle in which the application of repeating rifles was decisive, it is probably the defense of the US quartermaster depot at Altoona, GA in October 1864. A Holly Springs type result was prevented and Sherman continued his occupation of Georgia.
https://44henryrifle.webs.com/civilwarusage.htm
https://www.gunsandammo.com/editorial/7-shot-wonder-the-spencer-repeating-rifle/248815
I would not regard either source as completely accurate.
In the west, the US forces gradually added more Henry rifles and Spencer 7 shot repeaters. The growing fire power made the US soldiers, skirmishers and scouts more dangerous. The Confederates gradually became cautious.
Although the Confederates won the battle of Chickamauga, they took heavy casualties on both ends of their line, from US units equipped with repeating rifles. From that time onward the Confederates became more cautious about engaging the US Army of the Cumberland.
In the east, the growing number of Spencer carbines in the cavalry steadily increased the confidence of the US cavalry until by October of 1864 it was willing to defend against infantry. That growing confidence shortened the war in April of 1865.
If a person is interested in finding one battle in which the application of repeating rifles was decisive, it is probably the defense of the US quartermaster depot at Altoona, GA in October 1864. A Holly Springs type result was prevented and Sherman continued his occupation of Georgia.
Bringing the