The Sharps Rifle Episode in Kansas History
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The Border Star
The Border Star Official Publication of the Civil War Round Table of Western Missouri “Studying the Border War and Beyond” April 2011 The bombardment of Fort Sumter on April 12, 1861 was the The Civil War Round Table Cwas was e opening engagement of the American Civil War. The 150th Anofnive Westernrsary onMissouri April 12, Anniversary of the American Civil War is upon us! ………………………………………………………………………………................. 2011 Officers President --------------- Mike Calvert 1st V.P. -------------------- Pat Gradwohl 2nd V.P. ------------------- Art Kelley President’s Letter Secretary ---------------- Karen Wells Treasurer ---------------- Beverly Shaw Many years ago when I was just a lowly freshman at the University of Missouri, Historian ------------------ Open Rolla there was a road sign just as you made the turn onto Pine Street (the main Board Members street) that read “Rolla Missouri, the Watch Me City of the Show Me State” Delbert Coin Karen Coin Little did I know that that same sign could have describe Rolla in 1861. At the Terry Chronister Barbara Hughes terminus of the St Louis-San Francisco Railroad, Rolla was a strategic depot for Don Moorehead Kathy Moorehead all the campaigns into southwest Missouri to follow. Seized by Franz Siegel for Steve Olson Carol Olson Liz Murphy Terry McConnell the Union on June 14, 1861 it remained in Union hands throughout the war. So important as a supply depot that two forts were built to protect it (Fort Wyman The Border Star Editor and Fort Dettec). 20,000 troops were stationed there under orders from President Dennis Myers Lincoln to hold it at all costs. Phil Sheridan was stationed there as a Captain in 12800 E. -
Free-State Rifle,” Which He Used During the 1856 Battle of Hickory Point
In 1908 Samuel J. Reader aims and fires his “free-state rifle,” which he used during the 1856 Battle of Hickory Point. His weapon is a full-stock Pennsylvania rifle. 30 KANSAS HISTORY Plows and Bibles, Rifles and Revolvers Guns in Kansas Territory by Dale E. Watts uns were among the most important tools used in territorial Kansas. Plows turned the soil, axes cleared away trees and shaped them into useable forms, saws produced finished lumber, and guns provided food, recre- ation, and the means of controlling humans and animals. Of course guns also carried a special symbolic meaning in the turmoil of Bleeding Kansas. Violence played a relatively small role in this turbulence. No solid evidence exists to show that large numbers of people were killed because of political disagreements. GLand disputes, robberies, and accidents were more deadly than questions of politics or slavery. In general, settlers were not fanatical in their attitudes toward slavery but rather were focused on such mundane matters as land acquisition, town development, 1 and bringing their cultures to the West. This fact was well expressed by Charles B. Lines of Wabaunsee, the “Bible and Rifle” colony of which so much has been made, when he wrote to his hometown newspaper in Connecticut on May 2, 1856: Dale E. Watts holds master’s degrees in historical museum administration from Cooperstown Graduate Programs, in gifted education from Emporia State University, and in U.S. History from the University of Kansas. He currently is the historic sites re- search manager at the Kansas State Historical Society. -
Federal Ammunition for Civil War Breechloading Carbines and Rifles
Federal Ammunition for Civil War Breechloading Carbines and Rifles Dean S. Thomas According to the "Statement of ordnance and ordnance stores purchased by the Ordnance Department from January 1, 1861, to June 30, 1866," the United States Army procured more than 427,000 assorted breechloading carbines and rifles during this period.' Additional quantities were purchased from the manufacturers by various Northern states, volunteer regiments, and individual soldiers. In all, more than twenty different brands found their way onto regimental ordnance returns, and each, with rare exception, required their own peculiar form of ammunition. Captain James G. Benton of the Ordnance Department described these weapons in his book, Ordnance and Gunney: The term "breech-loading" applies to those arms in which the charge is inserted into the bore through an opening in the pered by gas leakage at the breech joint-or lack of obtura- breech; and, as far as loading is concerned, the ramrod is tion. This fault was mechanically inherent in many early dispensed with. breechloaders, but was not successfully overcome until there The interior of the barrel of a breech-loading arm is were advances in cartridge-making technology. Although the divided into two distinct parts, viz., the bore proper, or space Hall breechloading flintlock rifle was adopted by the United through which the projectile moves under the influence of the States in 1819 (and a carbine in the 1830s), they did not have powder; and the chamber in which the charge is deposited. the merits of later weapons with metallic cartridge cases. The diameter of the chamber is usually made a little larger, and Most of the early advances in breechloading ammuni- that of the bore a little smaller, than that of the projectile; this tion were made in France. -
19Th Century Carbine Manual.Indd
National Park Service Manual of Instruction for the Safe Use of Reproduction Breech-Loading Carbine and Rifl e in Interpretive Demonstrations TABLE OF CONTENTS Page Part I: Introduction 1 Part II: Nomenclature 5 Part III: Inspection and Maintenance 7 Part IV: Drill 10 Part V: Misfi re Procedures 27 Part VI: Laboratory 29 Part VII: Demonstration Critique 31 4 PART I - INTRODUCTION This manual sets forth the procedures that must be followed by persons demonstrating single-shot breechloading carbines and rifl es to the public in areas administered by the National Park Service (NPS). It also provides instruction on proper maintenance, inspection, and repair procedures. This manual must be used in conjunction with the service wide standards for Historic Weapons Firing Demonstrations (NPS-6 Guidelines for Interpretation). The information below largely comes from primary sources of the period during which the weapons described were used. Several generations of NPS historic weapons personnel have modifi ed these original texts in order to improve demonstrator and visitor safety, make the original texts more comprehensible and to incorporate knowledge gained from years of actually using these weapons in the fi eld. The Park’s Certifi ed Historic Weapons Program Supervisor is responsible for the training and safety of the demonstrators, as well as the safety of the visitors. The following criteria will help determine when a demonstrator has been adequately trained. 1 THE SHARPS CARBINE This manual mainly deals with the use and care of reproduction Model 1859 and Model 1863 Sharps carbines, which were the predominant carbine used during the American Civil War and are by far the most popular reprodction cavalry arm used today. -
Kansas City and the Great Western Migration, 1840-1865
SEIZING THE ELEPHANT: KANSAS CITY AND THE GREAT WESTERN MIGRATION, 1840-1865 ___________________________________ A Dissertation presented to the Faculty of the Graduate School at the University of Missouri-Columbia _______________________________________________________________ In Partial Fulfillment of the Requirements for the Degree Doctor of Philosophy _______________________________________________________________ By DARIN TUCK John H. Wigger JULY 2018 © Copyright by Darin Tuck 2018 All Rights Reserved The undersigned, appointed by the dean of the Graduate School, have examined the dissertation entitled SEIZING THE ELEPHANT: KANSAS CITY AND THE GREAT WESTERN MIGRATION, 1840-1865 Presented by Darin Tuck, a candidate for the degree of doctor of philosophy, and hereby certify that, in their opinion, it is worthy of acceptance. __________________________________________________ Professor John Wigger __________________________________________________ Assoc. Professor Catherine Rymph __________________________________________________ Assoc. Professor Robert Smale __________________________________________________ Assoc. Professor Rebecca Meisenbach __________________________________________________ Assoc. Professor Carli Conklin To my mother and father, Ronald and Lynn Tuck My inspiration ACKNOWLEDGMENTS This dissertation was only possible because of the financial and scholarly support of the National Park Service’s National Trails Intermountain Region office. Frank Norris in particular served as encourager, editor, and sage throughout -
The Texas Star
The Texas Star Newsletter for the Texican Rangers A Publication of the Texican Rangers An Authentic Cowboy Action Shooting Club That Treasures & Respects the Cowboy Tradition SASS Affiliated PO Box 782261 September 2018 San Antonio, TX 78278-2261 Officers Hello Texican Rangers President A.D. Texaz 210-862-7464 [email protected] Vice President The good news is that the Texican Col. Callan Rangers annual picnic, Shindig, gets a 325-446-7632 mulligan! [email protected] The original date for the match was rained out! We asked the Steiler Ranch Secretary owners if we could move the match to Tombstone Mary Sept 29 and it was OK’D. We are 210-262-7464 fortunate to have such great landlords. [email protected] Something I was not aware of when we were discussing the move with Kit Treasurer Patterson is that the whitetail hunting General Burleson season also begins on the Steiler Ranch on 210-912-7908 the 29th. [email protected] The bad news is that they are also predicting heavy rain for Thursday – Range Master Saturday. As usual, if we have to cancel Tombstone Mary will send an email to the Colorado Horseshoe membership and post it on the Texican 719-231-6109 Rangers website. [email protected] I’m looking forward to the Texican Rangers annual member appreciation Communications match ‘The Shindig’. There is no charge Dutch Van Horn for the match and lunch for members. 210-823-6058 Guests shoot for $20, which includes [email protected] lunch. Lunch for other Guests is $5. The match will be 4 main stages and then a team stage shot from the Gallows. -
Zhristian Sharps Was Born in Washington, New Jersey
Zhristian Sharps Was Born in Washington, New Jersey. ~yFrank M. Sellers Christian Sharps was born in Washington, New Jersey n 1811. Nobody seems to know much about Sharps' early ~fe. In that day and age, the way a man learned a trade was D apprentice himself to a master in whatever trade he vanted to learn. Sharps was apprenticed to a gunsmith in Yashington, whose name was Speigle. But Sharps did ?arn his trade and in 1830 he went to work at the arsenal t Harpers Ferry. There he came into contact with the first ~reechloaderused by the U.S. Government in any quan- ity, the Hall rifle. These were made under the supervision f the inventor, John Hall. Sharps only lasted at Harpers iar with, if not in the original guns, in their more popular 'erry about seven years and then moved to Cincinnati. As form, the boy's cap gun. Combining the Maynard primer .ear as we can tell, he didn't do any gun work at all in Cin- with the original Sharps actions gives us the Model 1850.:$ innati. He worked for his brother on the repair of steam This again was made by Albert Nippes in Philadelphia ngines for boats and factories. As I say, we don't have (actually in Mill Creek, if you are familiar with the area) ny information on what he was doing as far as guns are until late 1850, at which time Sharps decided that Nippes oncerned in Cincinnati, but in 1848, he applied for a pat- wasn't doing a good job and sold his patent to a man in nt on a breechloading gun, which was considerably dif- Hartford. -
Figure 1. Sharpshooter Weapons in the American Civil War (Photo Ex
ASAC_Vol107_02-Carlson_130003.qxd 8/23/13 7:58 PM Page 2 Figure 1. Sharpshooter Weapons in the American Civil War (photo ex. author's collection). 107/2 Reprinted from the American Society of Arms Collectors Bulletin 107:2-28 Additional articles available at http://americansocietyofarmscollectors.org/resources/articles/ ASAC_Vol107_02-Carlson_130003.qxd 8/23/13 7:58 PM Page 3 Sharpshooter Weapons in the American Civil War By Bob Carlson There is a proud tradition of sharpshooting in the mili- tary history of our nation (Figure 1). From the defeat of General Edward Braddock and the use of flank companies of riflemen in the French and Indian War, to the use of long rifles against Ferguson and the death of General Simon Fraser in the Revolutionary War at Saratoga, to the War of 1812 when British General Robert Ross was shot on the way to take Baltimore in 1814 and when long rifles were instru- mental at New Orleans in January 1815, up to the modern wars with the use of such arms as the Accuracy International AX338 sniper rifle, sharpshooters have been crucial in the outcome of battles and campaigns. I wish to dedicate this discussion to a true American patriot, Chris Kyle, a much decorated Navy Seal sniper whom we lost in February of this year, having earned two silver and four bronze stars in four tours of service to his country. He stated that he killed the enemy to save the lives of his comrades and his only regret was those that he could not save. He also aided his fellow attackers at bay; harassing target officers and artillerymen disabled veterans for whom he worked tirelessly with his from a long-range; instilling psychological fear and feelings Heroes Project after returning home. -
THE SHARPS RIFLE EPISODE in KANSAS HISTORY the Kansas Struggle Was Indeed the Prelude to the Civil War. the First Armed Conflict
THE SHARPS RIFLE EPISODE IN KANSAS HISTORY THE Kansas struggle was indeed the prelude to the Civil War. The first armed conflict between the North and the South began, not at Fort Sumter in 1861, but on the Wakarusa and at Law rence in 1855. The desperate strife for the possession of this virgin soil was the necessary introduction to the awful carnage of the sixties. Many leaders on both sides foresaw with remark able clearness that an impending crisis was at hand and that Kansas would be a decisive factor in the approaching conflict. Senator Atchison of Missouri, writing in September, 1855, to his Southern friends who were gathered to celebrate the anniversary of the battle at King's Mountain, fervently solicited their aid, say ing that "the [Kansas] contest . is one of life and death, and it will be so with you and your institution if we fail ... the stake the' border ruffians' are playing for is a mighty one ... in a word, the prosperity or the ruin of the whole South depends on the Kansas struggle." 1 Horace Greeley, but a few months earlier, with equal prophetic vision, wrote his celebrated "Rising Cloud" edi toriaI,2 predicting that the great battle between Freedom and Slavery was at hand; that the little cloud hovering over a hand ful of people in the far West foreshadowed the coming storm; that the distant rumble of the tempest could already be heard, and that the mischief there brewing was not alone for Kansas. No wonder that both sides in this great controversy threw themselves into the contest with such impetuous intensity, such determination and abandonment, often forgetting or ignoring the most vital principles of right action, and yet rising to such lofty exhibitions of heroism, courage, patience, self-sacrifice, and suffering as to move every section of the nation to proffer aid and sympathy. -
Philanthropic Colonialism: New England Philanthropy In
PHILANTHROPIC COLONIALISM: NEW ENGLAND PHILANTHROPY IN BLEEDING KANSAS, 1854-1860 Elijah Cody Howe Submitted to the faculty of the University Graduate School in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree Master of Arts in the Department of Philanthropic Studies, Indiana University August 2011 Accepted by the Faculty of Indiana University, in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Master of Arts. __________________________________ Frances A. Huehls, Ph.D., Chair __________________________________ Dwight F. Burlingame, Ph.D. Master’s Thesis Committee __________________________________ Matthew N. Vosmeier, Ph.D. ii Acknowledgments First I must thank my family. My mother Sue, father Michael, brother Jason, and sister Emily have supported me in more ways than these pages allow me to list. Three influential mentors guided me through this thesis and throughout my education. My thesis committee chair, Frances Huehls, guided me through the research and writing processes and committed countless hours helping with my research and editing. Matthew Vosmeier, my undergraduate academic advisor graciously contributed his time and expertise as a member of this committee and was kind enough to make the trip to my defense. Dwight Burlingame, my advisor at the Center on Philanthropy and member of my thesis committee helped me navigate a graduate education and trip abroad before helping with this paper. I am also indebted to the history faculty at Hanover College and the faculty at the Center on Philanthropy for the years of incredible mentoring and education. iii ABSTRACT Elijah Cody Howe PHILANTHROPIC COLONIALISM: NEW ENGLAND PHILANTHROPY IN BLEEDING KANSAS, 1854-1860 In 1854 the United States Congress passed the Kansas-Nebraska bill which left the question of slavery in the territory up to a vote of popular sovereignty. -
Florida Historical Quarterly
COVER The United States Army Third Cavalry at Tampa, May 1898. When it arrived from Fort Ethan Allen, Vermont, the Third camped west of the Tampa Bay Hotel between West Tenth Avenue and West Nineteenth Avenue. Because of transportation problems only part of the unit sailed for Cuba where they were attached to the Dismounted Cavalry Division led by former Confederate General Joe Wheeler. From a photograph in the P. K. Yonge Library of Florida History, University of Florida, Gainesville. THE FLORIDA HISTORICAL SOCIETY Volume LIII, Number 4 April 1975 THE FLORIDA HISTORICAL QUARTERLY SAMUEL PROCTOR, Editor STEPHEN KERBER, Editorial Assistant EDITORIAL ADVISORY BOARD LUIS R. ARANA Castillo de San Marcos, St. Augustine HERBERT J. DOHERTY, JR. University of Florida JOHN K. MAHON University of Florida WILLIAM W. ROGERS Florida State University JERRELL H. SHOFNER Florida Technological University CHARLTON W. TEBEAU University of Miami Correspondence concerning contributions, books for review, and all editorial matters should be addressed to the Editor, Florida Historical Quarterly, Box 14045, University Station, Gainesville, Florida 32604. The Quarterly is interested in articles and documents pertaining to the history of Florida. Sources, style, footnote form, original- ity of material and interpretation, clarity of thought, and interest of readers are considered. All copy, including footnotes, should be double-spaced. Footnotes should be numbered consecutively in the text and assembled at the end of the article. Particular attention should be given to following the footnote style of the Quarterly. The author should submit an original and retain a carbon for security. The Florida Historical Society and the Editor of the Florida Historical Quarterly accept no responsibili- ty for statements made or opinions held by authors. -
Historical Review
HISTORICAL REVIEW Published Quarterly By The State Historical Society of Missouri COLUMBIA, MISSOURI THE STATE HISTORICAL SOCIETY OF MISSOURI The State Historical Society of Missouri heretofore organized under the laws of this State, shall be the trustee of this State—Laws of Missouri, 1899, R. S. of Mo., 1949, Chapter 183. OFFICERS 1956-1959 RUSH H. LIMBAUGH, Cape Girardeau, President L. E. MEADOR, Springfield, First Vice-President WILLIAM L. BRADSHAW, Columbia, Second Vice-President ROBERT S. WITHERS, Liberty, Third Vice-President GEORGE FULLER GREEN, Kansas City, Fourth Vice-President PORTER FISHER, New London, Fifth Vice-President T. H. B. DUNNEGAN, Bolivar, Sixth Vice-President R. B. PRICE, Columbia, Treasurer FLOYD C SHOEMAKER, Columbia, Secretary and Librarian TRUSTEES Permanent Trustees, Former Presidents of the Society ALLEN MCREYNOLDS, Carthage L. M. WHITE, Mexico GEORGE A. ROZIER, Jefferson City G. L. ZWICK, St. Joseph E. E. SWAIN, Kirksville Term Expires at Annual Meeting, 1957 RALPH B. BIEBER, St. Louis L. I7.. MEADOR, Springfield BARTLETT BODER, St. Joseph JOSEPH H. MOORE, Charleston ARTHUR V. BURROWES, St. Joseph ISRAEL A. SMITH, Independence LAURENCE J. KENNY, S. J., St. Louis HENRY C THOMPSON, Bonne Terre Term Expires at Annual Meeting, 1958 CHESTER A. BRADLEY, Kansas City FRANK L. MOTT, Columbia RAY V. DENSLOW, Trenton GEORGE H. SCRUTON, Sedalia *GEORGE ROBB ELLISON, Jefferson City JAMES TODD, Moberly ALFRED O. FUERBRINGER, St. Louis T. BALLARD WATTERS, Marshfield Term Expires at Annual Meeting, 1959 F. C BARNHILL, Marshall STEPHEN B. HUNTER, Cape Girardeau FRANK P. BRIGGS, Macon RALPH P. JOHNSON, Osceola HENRY A. BUNDSCHU, Independence ROY D. WILLIAMS, Boonville W.