Civil War Infantry Tactics: Training, Combat, and Small-Unit EffectivenessFor decades, military historians have argued that the introduction of the rifle musket-with a range five times longer than that of the smoothbore musket-made the shoulder-to-shoulder formations of linear tactics obsolete. Author Earl J. Hess challenges this deeply entrenched assumption. He contends that long-range rifle fire did not dominate Civil War battlefields or dramatically alter the course of the conflict because soldiers had neither the training nor the desire to take advantage of the musket rifle's increased range. Drawing on the drill manuals available to officers and a close reading of battle reports, Civil War Infantry Tactics demonstrates that linear tactics provided the best formations and maneuvers to use with the single-shot musket, whether rifle or smoothbore. |
Other editions - View all
Civil War Infantry Tactics: Training, Combat, and Small-Unit Effectiveness Earl J. Hess No preview available - 2015 |
Civil War Infantry Tactics: Training, Combat, and Small-Unit Effectiveness Earl J. Hess No preview available - 2015 |
Civil War Infantry Tactics: Training, Combat, and Small-Unit Effectiveness Earl J. Hess No preview available - 2023 |