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Civil War Swords

Civil War Bayonet

Civil War Sabers

Civil War Swords were important to officers. Why you ask?

Well for one thing it was the greatest symbol of their authority. It was a very useful tool to direct men in battle.

You could say it's somewhat like how a conductor uses their wand to lead an orchestra.

Beyond a symbol of leadership however swords did not really have any function in combat.

Stonewall Jackson's sword actually rusted because it was hardly ever removed from it's scabbard. He just didn't use it.

Swords just like the bayonet could be intimidating and did see some combat, but with gunpowder weapons in great abundance it just didn't have a big place on the Civil War battlefield.

What about the Saber? Sure this curved sword was still being used by the cavalry, but the hay day of the cavalryman wielding his saber in combat was pretty much gone by the time the Civil War began.

Wielding a saber was mostly done for show rather than for combat purposes.

With multiple shot pistols and carbine rifles it became extremely dangerous and nearly impossible for cavalry to get close enough to the enemy to actually engage in any kind of a sword fight.

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Jul 23, 2011

USS Galena, Ironclad, Battle of Ironclads

The USS Galena was one of the most impressive ironclad ships during the Civil War. In the Civil War, sea-superiority was of high importance.

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Jul 13, 2011

Sherman's March, March to the Sea

Sherman's March to the Sea would set the south ablaze. The sea was the goal, the end result, for the Union leader. General Sherman was a rogue if only for a few months, the general of the Union army stationed in the heart of the Confederacy was on a rampage.

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Jul 13, 2011

Ball's Bluff, Battle of Ball's Bluff

The Battle of Ball's Bluff, although not as monumental or tactically important during the Civil War as other battles, was a very compelling fight nonetheless.

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Feb 19, 2010

Advertising Disclosure

Advertising Disclosure. This site is my personal site. It accepts advertising and other forms of compensation.

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Dec 5, 2009

Civil War, American Civil War, Reconstruction

The Civil War was a horrific four years for the nation. When it was over, more than 620,000 Americans had died from battle and war-related causes. American had fought against American and in some cases, brother had literally fought against brother.

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Nov 9, 2009

Brass Band, Civil War Music, Civil War Bands

The brass band of the Civil War played a very important role for both armies. They played at recruitment rallies and their music often helped to encourage young men to enlist.

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Nov 9, 2009