220 



spoken very explicitly on rifle-guns and 

 rifle shooting ; so I shall only make men- 

 tion concerning the rifle I now have by 

 me. The barrel of it weighs six pounds 

 five ounces ; it carries a ball thirty to the 

 pound, and is loaded exactly with one half 

 the weight of the ball in powder, without 

 the least recoil. What an advantage this 

 gun must have, compared to one weighing 

 onli/ four pounds in the barrel, and which 

 cannot be loaded with more than one third 

 the weight of the ball in powder. I can- 

 not refrain from mentioning how much \ 

 lament that such a set of gallant soldiers 

 are not armed with a weapon more effica- 

 cious, and which can do much greater exe- 

 cution at very great distances. 



I have, in the former part of this book, 

 informed you how the American riflemen 

 load their rifles for active service ; they 

 must shoot considerablv more than half the 

 weight of the ball in powder, as their bar- 

 rels weigh full six pounds, and shoot a ball 

 weighing 7io more than thirty-siv to the 

 pound. Now, gentlemen, rifle marksmen, 

 and oflicers serving in rifle corps, I inform 



