144 COLONEL HANGER TO 



Why, undoubtedly from the great force of 

 powder, operating on the ball, to a very 

 considerably greater distance before it loses 

 its operative force on the ball, than guns 

 loaded with much less powder will operate. 



SafKrflema'i> I havc oftcu Rskcd American riflemen, 

 what was the most they thought they could 

 do with their rifle ? They have replied, 

 that they thought they were generally sure 

 of splitting a man's head at two hundred 

 yards, for so they termed their hitting the 

 head. I have also asked several whether 

 they could hit a man at four hundred 

 yards, — they have replied certainly, or 

 ishoot very near him, by only aiming at 

 the top of his head, — Remember, gentle- 

 men, they have but one sight, and I have 

 told you the height of that sight from the 



The necessity barrel. Now, o^eiitlemen, does not this 



of increasing- <-' 



TheRifll^bar- prove to you how absolutely necessary it is 

 for you to increase the weight of j^our 

 rifled barrels, so that you may very consi- 

 derably increase the powder, for long dis- 

 tances : for what is rifle shooting, at short 

 distances ? Nothing, llijle shooting begins 

 to excel at the distance where tH musket 



eel 



