Jeremiah,
When Brian White, Dan Wambaugh, Chad Fuller and I attended the Malvern Hill living history a few years back we had to turn over all of our blank rounds to the Chief Ranger for safe-keeping. After the artillery demo, it was our turn; the Ranger issuing ammo packs to each of the boys.
Since there was nobody to describe what the USSS did during the battle or their tactics; I remained behind with my bugle to talk with the spectators and Rangers. After giving a brief description of the history of the USSS and their roles as sharpshooters and skirmishers; I proceeded to give a compressed description of how Co. F (VT) was deployed during the battle. I blew the bugle and the boys advanced thru the wheat stubble about 25 yards. I then blew 'halt' and 'commence firing'. I noticed that Brian's single trigger Ped, 'Old Busted', (uncharacteristically) was keeping up 'good music' on his end of the line. After the demo, Brian was ectastic, informing me that he was issued a box of my 'flat base' rounds instead of his traditional 'twist tail' ones. He was used to popping 2 caps for every shot--this time he was 100% ignition the first time. Unfortunately, Chad was issued Brian's 'twist tail' blanks and was having an ignition only after firing two caps (his 'music' was 'pop and swear', 'pop and swear', 'fire and swear'). So, I gained a new convert, (Brian), and reinforced the choice, (Chad), of using flat based blanks in Sharps reproduction rifles; no matter what make.
100 rounds should last over 2 days. If you are doing tacticals, you will do a lot more 'scoot and shoot' instead of 'burning powder'. Most reenactors burn WAY too much powder. When I take to the field in a battle scenario I automatically go into shooting basics; go prone or kneel, find a rest when possible, control my breathing, examine the battlefield to locate high priority targets (officers, high NCO's sharpshooters, cannon crews); aim for the second-third button on their uniform, get perfect sight alignment, squeeze trigger, recover from recoil, scan for next target. All the boys in my section are instructed to do the same thing. It slows down rate of fire but also makes the boys really appreciate the role of being a sharpshooter.
Bill Skillman Hudson Squad-USSS
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