[SkyDancer]

Aren’t they supposed to use blanks? Interestingly I read a murder mystery that took place during a reenactment ....

[flying Elvis]

Again, a case of media firearms ignorance. It was likely a .45 caliber pistol ball, since about 99% of reenactors use long arms that fire .58 to .69 caliber projectiles.

[Virginia Ridgerunner]

Yes, they are supposed to use blanks, and at respectable, well-organized re-enactments there are usually intense weapons inspections before each and every battle scenario, complete with accountability paperwork, just to prevent things like this from happening.

Unfortunately, some reenactors feel the need to do actual target shooting with their weapons in the off-season, and in cases like this, leave a live round in the chamber, forget about it, and then bring it to the event loaded, only to use it and accidentally hurt someone when the inspections are not properly done. Totally stupid.

[vetvetdoug]

Did South of Shiloh happen to be the name of the book? The author spent a good amount of time here researching the locations and spending time with reenactors to get much of it right.

I live between Shiloh and Corinth and it was like reading a local story.

I have a Civil War Sniper's rifle that shoots a hexagonal .45 bullet.