Civil war means war between organized groups within a single nation state American Civil War broke out in late December, 1860, at Fort Sumter in South Carolina The United States suffered more casualties during this war than any other before or since

Developed in 1849 with the minie ball Muzzle loading rifle (load the gun through the barrel) Fired by percussion lock (hammer hits a fuse) Weighed about 11 Lbs Accurate up to about 600 yards, and can penetrate 4 of soft pine at 1000 yards

Springfield Model 1861

Loading action for Minie rifle Unfortunate victim of Minie rifle

Used during sieges to weaken bombardments from afar Designed to fire explosive shells over walls of fortification to destroy buildings within Had effective ranges between 800 and 900 yards Many could fall within 40 yards of the target

Federal battery with 13-inch seacoast mortars, Model 1861, at siege of Yorktown

Breech at Fort Pulaski

Rail- mounted Federal mortar Model 1841 during siege of Charleston Harbor

Steam-propelled warship protected by steel or iron plating First ironclad battle was between the CSS Virginia and the USS Monitor in March, 1862 Had the ability to ram other ships The Monitor had a rotating cannon for 360 degree scope

USS Monitor

CSS Virginia

Lever-action (reloaded with a lever near the trigger), breechloading (rounds loaded in the back) rifle Firing rate of 20 rounds per minute, 1000% faster than most other rifles Manufactured in the north for the Union Army Most powerful cartridge of any repeating rifle

Muzzle loading type of artillery The 20-pound-class size was the largest gun used during the war The barrel alone could weigh over 1800 Lbs, but the 10-pound class size was used more Could penetrate 6 inches of brick at 3500 yards away Patented in 1861

200-pound Parrott rifle, Morris Island, SC 3-inch Parrott rifle