Posted on 10/04/2008 8:10:58 AM PDT by Pharmboy
Edited on 10/04/2008 8:28:15 AM PDT by Admin Moderator. [history]
Was it the South rising again? Or just a very uncivil blunder on a hallowed Virginia battleground?
Either way, Thomas Lord, a Bronx-born Yankee, felt the bite of a rebel bullet in Dixie last weekend, 143 years after the surrender at Appomattox. He was the latest casualty of a national conflict under re-enactment most anytime, anywhere above and below the Mason-Dixon line, although not normally with live ammunition.
(Excerpt) Read more at nytimes.com ...
Ping to the short list of the RevWar group...reenacting can be dangerous in the not-so Civil War.
Die, Yankee scum!
Wait a minute, I’m a Yankee. Die, whatever Rebel scum “accidentally” shot my Union brother!
They use live rounds ?
73 and still a Corporal!!!
By the way, if he’s a cavalry officer, why do they show him standing on the ground? How humiliating.
He was shot in the back. Seems like it came from the Union side
The South will rise again?
They are not supposed to put any bullets in the barrel.
Civil War is an oxymoron.
BTTT
Oops...I used to post images from the Times all the time. Did not realize things changed. It will not happen again. And, I always put the photo credits in as I did this time too. Sorry ‘bout that.
Actually, it is the “Isle of Wight” county. But then again it’s from the NY Times. Not known for their accuracy.
"The re-enactment was performed at the behest of filmmakers shooting a documentary of the battle."
That means they hired any number of extras, not regular re-enactors, who showed up with an 'outfit', obviously including in one case a firearm that had been left loaded from some other outing. Stupid to start with, of course.
But the filmmakers also obviously did not have checkpoints and range officers to check each firearm coming on the battlefield. A regular re-enactment will have ROs appointed to each unit, and before the fun begins everybody clears their firearms ONE MORE TIME - just to be sure. You're not allowed to bring pistol or rifle balls onto the field - anybody found with them will get hammered and sent home.
If you don't play by the rules when you're dealing with firearms, this kind of stuff happens. But the filmmakers obviously couldn't be bothered with the expense this would entail . . . .
Now that’s realism!
The majority of weapons used at a mainstream reenactment are single shot muzzle loading rifles. Typically the units are formed up prior to the battle and the weapons inspected.
Rifles have the ramrod dropped down the barrel to insure it's not loaded & it's clean and then the trigger & lock are given a function check. During most “battles” the rammer is not used and the powder is simply poured down the barrel and set off by the cap.
Pistols are generally only used by infantry officers (not much, they have other things to think about) and the cavalry. The cylinder has a small powder charge and cap but the remaining void is filled with something like cream of wheat.
In this area the “Officers” in charge of such units have a greater responsibility to insure the men under them have empty & clean weapons prior to loading with blank charges.
While an accident it is one that could have been prevented. I'll bet the units on the field have a real good idea down to a couple just what unit and individual did this.
But because of the tendency of the public for hysteria, and the hate of the hoplophopes for history, we know we are one accident away from losing this great experience and link to the past.
But because of the tendency of the public for hysteria, and the hate of the hoplophopes for history, we know we are one accident away from losing this great experience and link to the past.
I am a re-enactor , someone dropped the ball . All unit commanders are responsable for checking every weapon that is to be used in a battle . It is still hard to believe that the person in posession of said weapon did not check it . Any time some one hands you a weapon you better know what your holding regardless of what you’re told . Always assume it’s loaded and check it immediately . Very sad for the re-enacting society who promote an interest in American History and support the National Park Services who recieve most of the money raised by these events .
Thank you for this clarification.
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