1st Pennsylvania Regiment filled with good shots

Reading Eagle (PA) ^ | 12-30-11 | Bruce Posten

[Pharmboy]

What made Revolutionary War riflemen in the 1st Pennsylvania Regiment of the Continental Line so special?

They were good shots using the right gun, a Pennsylvania long rifle with curved grooves in the barrel and a soft lead ball, according to reenactors.

"These were sharpshooters who usually fought in pairs and were accurate in hitting a target within 200 to 300 yards," said Gregory A. Kreitz, 62, of Lower Heidelberg Township, a reenactor with the 1st Pennsylvania Regiment.

Using the Pennsylvania long rifle, a second sharpshooter was usually ready to fire when the first one finished, often from behind the cover of trees, ever ready for a tactical retreat to be able to fight again.

Most soldiers in military battle formations carried smooth-bore muskets, accurate only within 50 to 60 yards, but with bayonets attached for the inevitability of close-up fighting.

"With a musket, you might be able to get about three shots off in a minute, but with a rifle you only got one in that time, but it could be more accurate and deadly," said Kurt Ulrich, 52, Malvern Chester County, another reenactor. "The riflemen didn't have the bayonet, but usually carried a knife and tomahawk."

In his book "The Pennsylvania Line," historian John B.B. Trussell wrote of Pvt. Timothy Murphy of the 1st Pennsylvania Regiment fighting in upstate New York during the Saratoga campaign.

"On one occasion Col. Daniel Morgan told Pvt. Timothy Murphy, one of (Capt. James) Parr's men who was an especially fine marksman, to bring down the British Gen. Simon Fraser, and Murphy picked off the general with his first shot," Trussell wrote.

In 18th century warfare, targeting horses, artillery men, generals and drummer boys often led to chaos in the command ranks.

A good rifleman was often responsible for that.

[Pharmboy]

...and the same to you! Here's a marker from Lancaster, PA, that you may have seen:

[ZULU]

Thanks Phamboy. Actually, I don’t remember seeing it, but I was at that Henry Rifle place near the Delaware. They give lessons on building these rifles there.

http://www.jacobsburg.org/jacobsburg_calendar.html

[hoosiermama]

Thanks for the information. Much of the information in the book were family stories...some documented others not.

One tells that the young wife was left with a two week old baby and crops ready for harvest in the field. She managed.
Another tells a story that took place after the War They were given land for their service: First inhabitants of Stark County Ohio. The story relates one of the women going to get water at a spring, challenged by a black bear and an eclipse of the sun saving her.

It's very enjoyable reading, But I like more information/documentation on specific items mentioned....Like the Bradford Accord....Know it was a complaint sent to the Gov of PA.

[Manly Warrior]

From about 38 to 44 maybe a few a bit longer.

As to recoil- a good Pennsylvania type long rifle was found in 50-58 cal weighed about 7-9 lbs and fired (in 50 cal ) a round ball of pure lead weighing about 180 grains, charged with from 70-100 grains of medium grade black powder, so about as powerful as a 30/30, but with a trajectory much taller- 300 yards is a long ways off with a round ball gun. 54 ball weigh 230 grns.

I can get great accuracy and good velocity with a .495 ball , lard greased pillow ticking patch and 90 grains of 2Fg GOEX black powder- chronograph say 1680 fs.

Kills deer very well with 75 yards, I would not risk a shot past 125 though-but a friend routinely kills deer with a similar flinter ( I built it) out to 175 from a blind with a rest.

Anecdotally, Kentucky Rifles were indeed made in the east-usually PA, VA, MD, and were named such for the long hunters that were trekking into KAINTUCK, past the PA/VA frontier (Ohio was not a state, but rather the greater Ohio territory.

In this pre-revolutionary period, these rifles were not small caliber “squirrel rifles”. This title is reserved for late flint/early percussion period ( early to mid 1800’s, when much big game like deer, black bears, elk and bison were gone from the NE. Then, smaller calibers were adequate for small game- 30, 32, 40 and 45.

[Manly Warrior]

From about 38” to 44” maybe a few a bit longer.

As to recoil- a good Pennsylvania type long rifle was found in 50-58 cal weighed about 7-9 lbs and fired (in 50 cal ) a round ball of pure lead weighing about 180 grains, charged with from 70-100 grains of medium grade black powder, so about as powerful as a 30/30, but with a trajectory much taller- 300 yards is a long ways off with a round ball gun. 54 ball weigh 230 grns. Recoil, even in lager calibers, is very mild compared to say a light weight 30/06 etc.

I can get great accuracy and good velocity with a .495 ball , lard greased pillow ticking patch and 90 grains of 2Fg GOEX black powder- chronograph say 1680 fs.

Kills deer very well with 75 yards, I would not risk a shot past 125 though-but a friend routinely kills deer with a similar flinter ( I built it) out to 175 from a blind with a rest.

Anecdotally, Kentucky Rifles were indeed made in the east-usually PA, VA, MD, and were named such for the long hunters that were trekking into KAINTUCK, past the PA/VA frontier (Ohio was not a state, but rather the greater Ohio territory.

In this pre-revolutionary period, these rifles were not small caliber “squirrel rifles”. This title is reserved for late flint/early percussion period ( early to mid 1800’s, when much big game like deer, black bears, elk and bison were gone from the NE. Then, smaller calibers were adequate for small game- 30, 32, 40 and 45.

[ZULU]

The National Muzzle-Loading Rifle Association has its headquarters and range in Friendship, Indiana, if your interested in seeing these guns in action.

Great organization.

See:

http://www.nmlra.org/visit.asp

Also:

http://americanlongrifles.org/forum/index.php?PHPSESSID=9e6a6hk5jp7rjpper59atm99o3&;

[aculeus]

Rifles in the Revolutionary War?

I did not know that.

The General he killed got a university: http://www.sfu.ca/

“Where’d you get your degree?

“SFU!

“A bit sensitive aren’t ya.”

Anyways, Happy New Year.

[Pharmboy]

...and I did not know that he managed to get a university named after him...thanks for that!

He was quite a brave officer...

[j_tull]

Bayer has a company owned hotel/conference center in Moon Township, near Pittsburgh. In the bar, there is a collection of one dozen PA long rifles with an extensive history of each piece (where available) and each gunsmith. Bartender said the collection is worth several hundred thousand dollars.

[Pharmboy]

From what I know, the barkeep’s right. If I’m out to Pittsburgh, I will look for that place. Thanks.