Re: Rifles, Tomahawks & Tactics

Posted by Victoria on January 03, 1998 at 07:52:57:

In Reply to: Re: Rifles, Tomahawks & Tactics posted by Bill Rooks on January 02, 1998 at 08:35:06:

: Victoria,

: Bottom line? War is an ugly business. Given a bayonet or a tomahawk one is not better than the other inherently. Getting mixed up in a wild melee with a group who won't "follow the rules" but who are still disciplined and coordinated....in tight and jumbled up....muskets and bayonets become useless and it is the shorter weapon which is more handy and the side with the greater "berserker rage" will win all other things being equal.

: Bill R>

Bill,

The Indians' version of the Highland Charge was effective clear down to Wayne's campaign spreading panic and confusion against a better armed and more numerous foe. I always wondered why no defensive perimeter was set up around the non-combatants in battles as illustrated in the march from the Fort in LOTM.

Cora was able to use a weapon, as were some other (real life)women in defense of other forts. Women also helped in preparing ammunition(cartridge packets?) and reloading the muskets. I would like to know if muskets were ever shortened/modified to facilitate their use by women? Do you know?

Victoria

Follow Ups:

• Re: Rifles, Tomahawks & Tactics Bill Rooks 17:19:56 1/03/98 (3)
  • Re: Rifles, Tomahawks & Tactics George A. Bray III 21:10:14 1/03/98 (2)
    • Re: Rifles, Tomahawks & Tactics Victoria 07:43:57 1/04/98 (1)
      • Re: Rifles, Tomahawks & Tactics George A. Bray III 14:17:57 1/04/98 (0)

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Comments:
: : Victoria,

: : Bottom line?  War is an ugly business.  Given a bayonet or a tomahawk one is not better than the other inherently.  Getting mixed up in a wild melee with a group who won't "follow the rules" but who are still disciplined and coordinated....in tight and jumbled up....muskets and bayonets become useless and it is the shorter weapon which is more handy and the side with the greater "berserker rage" will win all other things being equal.

: : Bill R>

: Bill,

: The Indians' version of the Highland Charge was effective clear down to Wayne's campaign spreading panic and confusion against a better armed and more numerous foe.  I always wondered why no defensive perimeter was set up around the non-combatants in battles as illustrated in the march from the Fort in LOTM.

: Cora was able to use a weapon, as were some other (real life)women in defense of other forts. Women also helped in preparing ammunition(cartridge packets?) and reloading the muskets. I  would like to know if muskets were ever shortened/modified to facilitate their use by women?  Do you know?

: Victoria   


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