TOCWOC – A Civil War Blog

Month: September 2006

  • Long Range Shooting

    I was watching Future Weapons last night on the Discovery Channel, which had a segment on the Barrett .50 caliber sniper rifle. I’ve handled these in the military (but have not actually fired one) and they are quite impressive. Depending on whose figures you use, they have an effective range of 1500-2400 yards. The one […]

  • Origin of “sharpshooter”

    When giving presentations I am often asked if the term “sharpshooter” has anything to do with the Sharps rifle. A persistent story attaches it to Berdan’s Sharpshooters, who with their Sharps rifles were then (so the story goes) called “Sharps shooters,” and later just sharpshooters. Trouble is, it’s not true, any more than is the […]

  • Today in the Petersburg Campaign: September 23, 1864

    September 23, 1864 Skirmish at Edenburg, VA, as small parcels of the armies under Early and Sheridan toss bullets back and forth here and the following during the Shenandoah Valley, VA, Campaign: -Skirmish at Front Royal, VA. -Skirmish at Mount Jackson, VA -Skirmish at Woodstock, VA. Note: All “Today In The Petersburg Campaign” blog entries […]

  • Civil War Talk Radio: September 22, 2006

    Air Date: 092206 Subject: Lincon, the Shelton Laurel Massacre, Death and the Civil War, etc. Books: ‘A People’s Contest’: The Union and Civil War 1861-1865 Guest: Phillip Shaw Paludan Summary: Dr. Phillip Shaw Paludan, author of ‘A People’s Contest’: The Union and Civil War 1861-1865, discusses his work, covering topics from the Lincoln White House […]

  • Multiman Publishing Is Having a Sale!

    Multiman Publishing, pitcher Curt Schilling’s wargaming company best known for its Advanced Squad Leader products, is having a major sale on the eve of several new games being released. Four of the popular Civil War Brigade Series first produced by The Gamers are part of this sale, and if you don’t have them, now’s the […]

  • Civil War History, September 2006

    Civil War History Volume 52, Number 3 (September 2006) Civil War History Web Site Note: I am not particularly interested in many of the articles which routinely appear in Civil War History, so the titles and authors are listed without summary. Page 229 The Problem of Race in the Age of Freedom: Emancipation and the […]

  • Today in the Petersburg Campaign: September 22, 1864

    September 22, 1864 The Battle of Fisher’s Hill, VA, as Maj. Gen. Philip H. Sheridan, USA, inflicts serious damage to Lieut. Gen. Jubal Early’s, CSA, forces of the Shenandoah, as Maj. Gen. George Crook, USA, flanks Early and causes a panic and rout as Early’s men flee up the Shenandoah.  Total casualties approximate 1,750. Skirmish […]