The Double Barreled Shot Gun As A Weapon of War.
The double barreled shot gun, properly fixed up, is the best gun for quick and decisive work in use, for the following reasons: They are generally of that length which shoots hardest- they are very heavy, and recoil less with a heavy load- they are of better iron and better made than any war gun in use- they are all stub and twist, that is all good ones, and therefore rarely burst- they cost from twice to ten times as much as other guns, and therefore must be much better material. At the beginning of an action they shoot twice in a second, and two rounds with the shot gun well charged, at fifty to sixty yards, will cut down any double line of men, and then the impetuous charge with sabre or bowie knife will do the work of death.
But how is the shot gun to be fixed up? Why, every gun should have a large tube, to suit the war powder- this is all important and indispensable. Large sized ordinary tubes drilled out a little will do well. Each gun should have an iron rammer, and a pair of Minie moulds- perhaps the round mould would be more convenient- and each gun should have a sabre bayonet- they can be easily fitted on. The pouch should be supplied with ball cartridges, and shot cartridges both. The horizontal accuracy of the shot gun is equal to that of the musket- the vertical accuracy is near enough for all purposes. Much has been said of raising sights. With cool, deliberate men they might be of benefit, but to the excited soldier on the field of death they are all a humbug, where either the elevation of the ground or the distance is changing every moment; for unless the sight be raised or lowered at every variation of two hundred yards, the raising sight is only a source of error- besides it is easier to guess at the right elevation of the piece than at the true distance and the right guage of the sight. David felt himself encumbered with the scientific armor of Saul, but with his simple armor, which he was used to, be felt sure of victory, and his convictions were verified. He that is willing to lose his life shall save it and he who tries to save his life will lose it. Let him that hath two guns give one to him that hath none, and he that hath bread, let him divide with him that hath none. Let no man now say that aught that he hath is his own, but lay it all on the altar of his country, till victory perches upon our banner.- Exchange.
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David Upton