GDG- Aim Low

[John Gross]

The "zero" of the rifle-musket was (off the top of my head) about 250 yards.
This meant that the sights were calibrated, when lined up properly, to place
the bullet on target at that range. However, because of the looping
trajectory of these large bullets (picture a quaterback throwing a football
60 yards) a target at shorter distances, say 50, 100, 150 yards, would
likely have the bullet pass over it. Since the vast majority of shooting
during the war occured at ranges under 200 yards, commanders instructed
their men to aim low so as to not have the bullets pass over the top of the
attacking lines. Also a bullet that strikes low can ricohet and still hit an
opponet, whereas one that goes high will do little damage (unless you're in
the rear ranks!!).

John Gross
confederate at att.net


----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Ron Chaplin" <ronchaplin at gmail.com>
To: "GDG" <gettysburg at arthes.com>
Sent: Saturday, September 01, 2007 6:31 PM
Subject: GDG- Aim Low


> Esteemed GDG Member Contributes:
>
>
> Folks,
>
> Why did commanders stress to their troops to "aim low?"
>
> Ron Chaplin
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