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In these Civil War sesquicentennial years, it is certain that, in 2013, the nation will be treated to significant observations of the epic Battle of Gettysburg. Acclaimed scholars will offer their...

Well, it's good to see what really happened. As Navy, we were frequently interrogated by visitors as to why the Hunley was MIA. They had to make due with our humble Navy display.

While the BGA event was quite memorable, some interesting lapses were observed:
- there were no trash containers, so trash just piled up in various places (including the large tent just before the...

I'll be doing Lt. Gwin so you have someone to report to!

Thank you for your thought-provoking input.

Turret design was not the only Monitor innovation, though it had the distinction of being the first used in battle and the first deployed with a 360...

And when did the HMS Warrior first face an opponent of any kind? I believe that was never. And the French La Gloire was built first. The Coles turret was not used in any battle until well after the...

All this morning, the two immortal ironclads battled it out 150 years ago and changed the face of naval warfare forever.
Tactically: a draw
Strategically: a Union victory
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There is a photo on page 75 of McAulay's "Civil War Small Arms of the US Navy and Marine Corps" that has a sailor posing next to a boat howitzer. He is carrying a stocked Colt 1860 fluted cylinder...

30th Indiana Volunteer Infantry:
http://www.30th-indiana.org/

44th Indiana Civil War Historical Association:
http://www.44thindiana.org/

I am a member of both if you require more information.

The US Navy had the following:
Model 1851, ordered 1852 - 60 carbines
Model 1855, ordered 1858 - 88 carbines, 212 rifles
Model 1859, ordered 1859 - 900 rifles
Model 1859, ordered 1861 - 1500...

I bring an original Spencer (new wood) and Sharps & Hankins to events for the Navy display. The Spencer because it cost the same as a repro and the S & H because they don't make those no mo'. ...

Another possible resource:
http://www.riverboatdaves.com/riverboats/cwar.html

I put some more through my original Spencer last week and had trouble with stovepipes. Part of the problem is I am stuck using a standard hull crimper and not the CH4D I really wanted (they are out...

Oh well - learn something new every day!

Tha Navy had a particular form that had to be signed by parent/guardian and a Justice of the Peace for a minor (at least 12 , though occasionally as young as 8 years old) to be enlisted. The Navy...

Looks like I'll have to find a bayonet!
That, or bring a boarding pike...

My question is: since I reload my blanks, how will I know which are mine after the battle? Unless all of you want to donate yours to my cause...

You can get casings for much less than that from Dixie - about 40 cents each.

I have noticed this trend on other fora. It completely mystifies me. But I keep my links to Articles of Secession and the Confederate constitution handy, and expect to use them a lot. ...

Judging by the amount of questions I get about it and the number of conversations started, it must be my reproduction decklight. I have delegated the decklight spiel to my 8 year old son, who is not...

Great news!
Hope mine do as well at Conner Prairie.
Did a living history this weekend and ran about 20 through the original rifle. All worked well, with only one difficult extraction on the last...

http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/us_civil_war_first_shot
I still believe the first shot was January 9 - it actually hit something and caused damage.

Maybe because it actually started back on January 9 with the firing on the Star of the West by Charleston batteries?

Maybe they were not interested in opening a can of worms?

Maybe they think...

I'd be willing to do Navy presentations with my 8 year old son helping out.

After the first actual test firing of blanks last weekend, the extractor was bent back closer to straight because of occasional pinches which resulted in misfeeds. Firm rapid lever operation seems...