In his 1906 book, battles and sketches of the army of tennessee, author brumfield ridley deceased shares other details of this largelyobscure, but significant tennessee civil war history. The last words of union general john sedgwick, at the battle of spotsylvania. During the american civil war, an assortment of small arms found their way onto the battlefield. A modest land and slaveowner of scotchirish descent, hinson opposed secession from the union. Aug 19, 2011 in his book, jack hinsons one man war a civil war sniper tom c. Gun used by civil war sniper, its owner and its historian to be in logan. What message about the civil war is liam oflaherty. The term was coined by british soldiers in asia in the 1700s, and i would assume remained in the british military for quite some time. The soldiers furthered the abuse by decapitating the hinson boys, and placing their heads on the gateposts of the family estate, known as bubbling hills. Military history 1 by chris kyle, scott mcewen, jim defelice isbn. One of historys longest sniper kills happened during the. The story of civil war sniper jack hinson and his rifle. He told me that they were able to hit the metal gongs at 1,100 meters with their m21 souped up m14 with the art1 sniper scope.
From the moment i read the dustcover, i couldnt put down the book. Contributed image connect tweet linkedin comment email more. With all of the recent emphasis on snipers and sniper shooting, this rifle represents the genesis of that profession. The shock and brutality of this ending leave the reader stunned by the ideas of such monstrous occurrences, but such events were not uncommon in the ireland. However, dont let that get in the way of a good story. Whitworth sniper rifle, on display at the tennessee state museum in nashville when the american civil war broke out in 1861, military firearms were undergoing a revolution. Jack hinson, old jack 18071874 was a farmer in stewart county, tennessee, who operated as a confederate partisan sniper in the betweentherivers region of tennessee and kentucky during the american civil war. It is oflahertys first published work of fiction, published in a small london based socialist weekly the new leader 12 january 1923 while the war it depicted was still ongoing. Details about his activities and life are largely drawn from family stories anecdotes. However, it is an interesting read and an interesting look at both life under union occupation and gurellia warfare during the war. This is probably the best book ever written on any single battle of the civil war. Although one of jacks grown sons joined the confederate army, jack opposed secession and intended to remain neutral.
Jacks plantation was called bubbling springs, where he lived with his wife and ten children. Civil war sniper rifle dealt death to yankees community. Jan 27, 2015 an american sniper in the civil war takes center stage in historical novel ammoland inc. This 22 pound behemoth is worthy of any first class civil war collection. Dan was excited to tell me a few stories about the area in tennessee to which i recently moved. Gun used by civil war sniper, its owner and its historian to be in. Reviewed in the united states on february 9, 2010 there is something about a book on a military subject written by someone with a military background which adds a dimension of understanding not found in accounts by those with no such personal experience. In an effort to overcome the weaknesses of the british infantry rifle the pattern 1853 enfield, whitworth began working on his new design in 1854. Men who have shown so much endurance and courage as those now in vicksburg, will always challenge the respect of an adversary, and i can assure you will be treated with all the respect due to. A note from famed civil war sniper jack hinson to a court clerk was discovered in a record book at houston county archives. Sharpshooter, as used in the civil war, covered much more ground and included both what would later be called snipers, designated marksmen and.
A friend sent this to me the other day thought some here you would find it interesting. Save over 20% credits will not expire, so you can use them at any time. The whitworth rifle was, arguably, the first longrange sniper rifle in military history. In this day and age, some have steered away from their manly roots, but many of us still want to do right by our loved ones. Military history i purchased this book in the hope it would be a thrilling insight into the life of a navy seal who is the inspiration for the film of the same name starring bradley cooper. Wikipedia still ranks it as the 14th longest sniper kill in history whitworth rifles are sometimes called the first real sniper rifle. Posts may contain affiliate links, meaning cwba might get a commission from purchases made through those links, at no cost to you. The book definitely has a scholarly foundation with its extensive references more than 1,500 endnotes, but it is written in a way that makes it accessible to those who have little, if any, knowledge of the american civil war. A narrative may not the best book to use as a primary resource for academic or scholarly research.
The rifle shown to have been jack hinsons is a common tennessee type, and it is a patched ball rifle. Oct 29, 2015 thats longer than any confirmed kill of world war i or ii and only 400 yards shy of making a modern top 10 list. Anyway, his sergeant instructor had an original whitworth that he brought out. Jack hinson was a freelance sniper during the american civil war. Nov 23, 2016 but the weapon that was most favored by the confederates, and the best sniper rifle of the war, was the britishmade whitworth. The book is not a good starting point for someone just getting into the civil war.
Nov 30, 2016 the most famous sniper shot of the civil war, however, took place in may 1864, at spotsylvania court house. Jack hinson was the patriarch of a prosperous family on the kentuckytennessee border, and at the start of the american civil war was opposed to succession, and even helped grant during the attack on fort donelson, but during the increasingly bitter guerrilla war that followed two of his sons were. Civil war by mark millar, steve mcniven, dexter vines. Civil war sharpshooters tactics were similar to those used by napoleon rather than those of later more modern sniper teams. Civil war series eastern national is celebrating the 150th anniversary of the civil war with electronic editions of e parks national park civil war series of books. Man on a wire at the outbreak of the civil war hinson owned a flourishing plantation in stewart county, tennessee. With the impressive tagline of the autobiography of the most lethal sniper in u. Designed in 1850, the whitworth was a unique solution to a problem that plagued all rifled guns of the time. Apr 17, 2010 at the annual meeting of the company of military historians, i sold one book to a former 82nd airborne soldier who served as a sniper. Two of his youngest children died of the measles while they were in hiding, and his son who joined the confederacy was killed in combat, meaning the civil. Sadly, many try to make the civil war into a simple north. The sniper looked at his enemy falling and he shuddered. Despite being hunted by four union regiments and living the entirety of the war largely at the mercy of the elements, hinson would live to see peace again though the war was not kind to jack. The true story of one mans reluctant but relentless war.
Ny630h1fo new york city over 1861 quarter civil war token ngc ms64 ex garrett. Feb 17, 2014 this is a short film detailing a civil war sniper and artillery fire. Sniper is one of those terms that really bugs me and my tendency towards etymology. To vote on books not in the list or books you couldnt find in the list, you can click on the tab add books to this list and then choose from your books, or simply search.
The rule of war dictated the taking out of officers to scatter and confuse the troops and the civil war sniper played an important role towards that endeavor. The message of liam oflahertys story entitled the sniper may well be that civil wars are wars which are never truly won because the losses are those of fellow countrymen, if not brothers. An american sniper in the civil war takes center stage in historical novel ammoland inc. Though the muzzleloading percussion cap rifle was the most numerous weapon, being standard issue for the union and confederate armies, many other firearms, ranging from the singleshot breechloading sharps and burnside rifles to the spencer and the henry rifles, two of the worlds first repeating. The story of jack hinson, whose two sons were murdered by union soldiers, and afterwards, how he embarked on a trail of revenge that made him the most wanted man by the union army during the civil. Jun 20, 2009 the short answer is that there was no sniper training at all in the civil war so far as i know, and of course the word did not come into use until the boer war at the turn of the century. Mainly i cannot figure out when it crossed the pond. Jan 24, 2015 the rifle shown to have been jack hinsons is a common tennessee type, and it is a patched ball rifle. This was apparently cobbled together by the descendants of the hero of the book from letters home and stories, etc. The nook book ebook of the jack hinsons oneman war by tom mckenney at. Most wanted sniper of the civil war jack hinson youtube. Grant arrived in the area in february 1862, the hinsons hosted the man at their home. Revolutionary and civil war sniper rifles way back when i fell into the trap known as the military book club, i picked up a book called confederate scout sniper.
The message of liam oflahertys story entitled the sniper may well be that civil wars are wars which are never truly won because the losses are those of fellow countrymen, if. Hinsons story before writing the book jack hinsons oneman war. The wealthy father of ten children, hinson opposed secession, had actually freed his slaves prior to the emancipation proclamation and even once had general. Divided, the nations greatest champions must each decide how to react a decision that will alter the. The first real friendly association between british and american soldiers was wwi. What was the longest sniper kill during the civil war. If you get a chance to visit dover tn, look up the local civil war round table people, they will be more than willing to give you more insight to this amazing episode of the cw. At the annual meeting of the company of military historians, i sold one book to a former 82nd airborne soldier who served as a sniper. When the civil war broke out in 1861, he was fiercely determined to remain neutral. Jack hinsons oneman war, a civil war sniper hardcover january 27, 2009. Confederate sniper who, at the age of 57, waged a personal war on. Union majorgeneral john sedgwick was watching his troops move some cannon into place.
Posted on january 27, 2015 october 24, 2017 by ammoland home again, author michael kenneth smith. Revolutionary and civil war sniper rifles snipers hide forum. Im only in the early part of the book, but i am learning a lot about the south before and during the war. Though the muzzleloading percussion cap rifle was the most numerous weapon, being standard issue for the union and confederate armies, many other firearms, ranging from the singleshot breechloading sharps and burnside rifles to the spencer and the henry rifles, two.
This is a short film detailing a civil war sniper and artillery fire. However, readers who want to learn about how the war was fought, without getting bogged down in why, can find no better books than these. Civil war snipers or sharpshooters as they were then called last weekend we went to see the new movie american sniper, a great story that stimulated my thinking about snipers in general and specifically in the american civil war. Col mckenneys book chronicles the federal military occupation during the civil war of a section of the tennesseekentucky border called between the rivers. There is no denying that most of jack hinsons civil war actions are true, as described in the book, but the devil is in the details. The rifles themselves could hit targets at 1,000 yards or so. This essential overview of the legendary guns and armsmakers of the civil war era includes exquisite photography of the. In a sense, the book is a retelling of the war as adventists and other americans experienced it. It is oflahertys first published work of fiction, published in a small londonbased socialist weekly the new leader 12 january 1923 while the war it depicted was still ongoing. Passing the likes of the legendary us marine corps snipers, carlos hathcock 93 confirmed kills and chuck mawhinney 103 confirmed kills, both of which fought in. See all 2 formats and editions hide other formats and editions. In the wake of a tragedy, capitol hill proposes the super hero registration act, requiring all costumed heroes to unmask themselves before the government.
An american sniper in the civil war takes center stage in. Liam oflahertys the sniper and the irish civil war, by. Jan 12, 2018 dan was excited to tell me a few stories about the area in tennessee to which i recently moved. I could be wrong, but i severely doubt that anyone had barrett not berret m107s in the american civil war, considering the previous model was made more than 100 years after the war ended. Whitworth rifles are sometimes called the first real sniper rifle. Meaning instead of shooting from concealment solo or in in small teams, sharpshooters would march up ahead of the line infantry as a group and attempt to widen enemy lines weak points that were first being softened up by. The story of civil war sniper jack hinson and his rifle throughout history, man has had the responsibility to do two things.
In his book, jack hinsons one man war a civil war sniper. Page 550 the useless effusion of blood you propose stopping by this course can be ended at any time you may choose, by the unconditional surrender of the city and garrison. Weakened by his wound and the long summer day of fasting and watching on the roof, he revolted from the sight of the shattered mass of his dead enemy. Because of this, the book reads more like a novel or narrative than history. As usual there is a plethora of information about the civil war and i stumbled on the story of jack hinson. Chris kyle was a sniper with seal team 3 during the 2 nd iraq war and was credited with 160 confirmed kills and 250 probable kills, which stands as the most in us military history. Its a book that should be read by everyone interested in tennessee history, noted. Over 100 civil war kills hardcover january 1, 2009 by tom c.
Revolutionary and civil war sniper rifles snipers hide. This essential overview of the legendary guns and armsmakers of the civil war era includes. Wikipedia still ranks it as the 14th longest sniper kill in history. The sniper is a short story written by irish writer liam oflaherty, set during the early weeks of the irish civil war, during the battle of dublin. The unions victory at the battle of fort donelson was also its first major one since the start of the civil war. If it were to fire an elongated ball it would have a different muzzle configuration, so as to start the projectile straight into the bore. Jack hinson was the patriarch of a prosperous family on the kentuckytennessee border, and at the start of the american civil war was opposed to succession, and even helped grant during the attack on fort donelson, but during the increasingly bitter guerrilla war that followed two of his sons were arrested while out. Civil war snipers or sharpshooters as they were then. The most famous sniper shot of the civil war, however, took place in may 1864, at spotsylvania court house. May 30, 2018 a note from famed civil war sniper jack hinson to a court clerk was discovered in a record book at houston county archives.
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