REBEL SHELL FROM GETTYSBURG BATTLE

Barrycdog

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REBEL SHELL FROM GETTYSBURG BATTLE

Gettysburg is home to the most famous Civil War battlefield. The battle of Gettysburg occurred over a three day period, July 1, 2 and 3, 1863. Thousands of soldiers lay dead, thousands were missing, thousands were wounded. The battle took place on the outskirts of the town in dozens of locations, each unique and marked by different terrain, each playing a significant role in the fight to preserve the Union. Gettysburg was the furthest North Lee would ever lead his Confederate Army, they were driven back for the final time during the battle of Pickett's Charge.

Right after the battle, Gettysburg was swarmed by relic hunters and tourists who scavenged the site for souvenirs of the epic battle. Those souvenirs were later found in museums or were made into mementos for visitors and veterans from Gettysburg who wanted to take home a genuine piece of history. GAR reunions took place, reunion encampments were held and the vets gathered in cities all over the country. Special battlefield souvenirs were made for them.

This Confederate shell was picked up after the battle of Gettysburg. Three small legs have been added and the words "Rebel Shell, Gettysburg 1863" have been etched on its face. It was recently featured in an online auction.
 
Mine would have candles in it AND some sort of string of battery operated mini lights. :nah disagree:

kholland,

What MAKES them do such things?

June 12, 2014 was our 42nd wedding anniversary and my wife is STILL a mystery that I will never fully understand, God Bless her.

Sincerely,
Unionblue
 
To the next 42. Could someone tell me how a shell was used as a solid shot? No fuse, special fuse, nose plug, what?
 
We actually find more unexploded Federal shells than Confederate shells unexploded. The Confederacy produced a higher quality of black powder than the crooked suppliers of the North.:smile coffee:
Hmmmm, was it all the fault of the powder or was it also the unreliability of the fuses? In the back of my mind I seem to recall that as being a real issue, perhaps in addition to the poor quality of the powder.
 
To the next 42. Could someone tell me how a shell was used as a solid shot? No fuse, special fuse, nose plug, what?
Great question.

All cannonballs for the most part look the same.

I'm sure the artillery folks can explain in more detail, but I'll attempt a simple explanation.

Solid shot: Think bowling ball. A solid ball of iron, does not explode.
Tremendous knock down power. Used mainly for
knocking down & busting things. Also dangerous to any
humans that happen to be in the way.

Case shot: Think hollow bowling ball - filled with all kinds of nasty
stuff. This type explodes. Used as an anti personnel
weapon.

The above photo is of a case shot round.
Notice the opening in the top, that is where a fuse
would be screwed into the hollow part.

Prior to firing, the fuse would have been set for the cannonball
to burst usually plus or minus five seconds after leaving the cannon.
 
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To the next 42. Could someone tell me how a shell was used as a solid shot? No fuse, special fuse, nose plug, what?
It was likely either left on the battlefield by a battery, never having been fired, which is probably the case. Or it was fired and was a dud. Either way, when it was found the fuse was screwed out and the powder dumped out, for obvious reasons.
 

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