"Big magazines…as used around Washington" Topic

"There is a tendency to characterize the practice of military science as seen during the Civil War as somewhat stagnant. The generalization is the generals were fixed of mind towards Napoleonic tactics and strategy, insisting linear infantry formations be thrown into battle as that was "the right way" to do things. All the while, of course, technology advanced to render such tactics obsolete and the battlefield more lethal.

But as one examines the practice in more detail, the characterization appears far less static, and in many ways innovative. What should be clear is how Civil War leaders appreciated the lessons from the battlefield. They used practical experience, which could only be derived from actual wartime situations, and applied such to future activities. Going into the post-war, many of those lessons learned became part of the teachings imparted to junior officers.

A example of such, though arguably minor, appears in our discussion of magazines. And it comes directly from the old sage who taught all those supposedly wooden-headed, would-be Napoleons at West Point – Dennis H. Mahan. Writing in 1870, Mahan offered these observations about bomb proof magazines…"
More here
link

Amicalement
Armand

Good read. Thanks for this.

A votre service mon ami!. (smile)

Amicalement
Armand

Thanks. Very interesting.

I am reminded that no matter how great the construction of the magazine it can all be for naught due to the human element. I read a story about a detail in one of the forts in Alexandria, VA that was to take the powder out of a supply of shells in order to dry it after long storage (a common practice). The officer in charge became annoyed at the slow progress using wooden spoons so he pulled out his iron spoon to show how to speed things up.

Spark…BOOM! 20 casualties.

Glad you enjoyed it my good friend!. (smile)

Amicalement
Armand