From what I read, these soldiers were armed with the very first issues of the Allin trapdoor, single shot, metallic cartridge, breech loading rifle. The Allin trapdoor rifles were converted Civil War Springfield .58 caliber muzzle loaders. As such the first Allins used a new. .58 caliber metallic cartridge. According to history, these breechloaders took the Native Indians totally by surprise. The Indian warriors expected the U.S. cavalrymen to be using slow reloading muzzle loading Springfield rifles. The Allin Trapdoor conversion was reputedly capable of 8 to 12 aimed shots per minute by a well-trained trooper. Had the vastly superior Indian attacking force been accustomed to facing off against the fast reloading U.S. cavalry breechloaders, they might still have prevailed, albeit with higher casualties. But this was their first encounter and the shock and awe of fighting only 29 U.S. cavalrymen who had the firepower of 240 men stunned and scared the Indian warriors into retreat. By the time of Custer's Last Stand in 1877, the Native American warriors were accustomed to the faster firing Allin Trapdoor. They just pushed on their assault using superior numbers to encircle Custer's small force.
I’ve listened to quite a few stories about wars against the Native Americans and it seems like there were two massive inflection points in the power balance, when Americans got breach loading weapons and when they got repeating weapons.
The Hayfield fight is close to Fort CF Smith and involves its garrison. The Wagon Box Fight happens later and involves Fort Phil Kearney and it’s garrison
Very close to it. The Wagon Box Fight occurs at Fort Phil Kearny on the day after the Hayfield Fight. It was part of Red Cloud's concerted attacks on both forts in the Powder River country. If I can get my editing finished in time, the Wagon Box Fight video will be out Monday...and considerably longer than this one.
As always absolutely amazing video, thank you so much
Thank you
Great content
From what I read, these soldiers were armed with the very first issues of the Allin trapdoor, single shot, metallic cartridge, breech loading rifle. The Allin trapdoor rifles were converted Civil War Springfield .58 caliber muzzle loaders. As such the first Allins used a new. .58 caliber metallic cartridge.
According to history, these breechloaders took the Native Indians totally by surprise. The Indian warriors expected the U.S. cavalrymen to be using slow reloading muzzle loading Springfield rifles. The Allin Trapdoor conversion was reputedly capable of 8 to 12 aimed shots per minute by a well-trained trooper.
Had the vastly superior Indian attacking force been accustomed to facing off against the fast reloading U.S. cavalry breechloaders, they might still have prevailed, albeit with higher casualties. But this was their first encounter and the shock and awe of fighting only 29 U.S. cavalrymen who had the firepower of 240 men stunned and scared the Indian warriors into retreat.
By the time of Custer's Last Stand in 1877, the Native American warriors were accustomed to the faster firing Allin Trapdoor. They just pushed on their assault using superior numbers to encircle Custer's small force.
I’ve listened to quite a few stories about wars against the Native Americans and it seems like there were two massive inflection points in the power balance, when Americans got breach loading weapons and when they got repeating weapons.
Great videos..
You should do an episode on Jesse James. Northfield MN. Amazing work thank you!
Funny story. I made an hour long video on Jesse James...copyright.
Isn't the Hayfield fight also known as the "Wagon Box" and "Bad Medicine" fight as well?
The Hayfield fight is close to Fort CF Smith and involves its garrison. The Wagon Box Fight happens later and involves Fort Phil Kearney and it’s garrison
Very close to it. The Wagon Box Fight occurs at Fort Phil Kearny on the day after the Hayfield Fight. It was part of Red Cloud's concerted attacks on both forts in the Powder River country.
If I can get my editing finished in time, the Wagon Box Fight video will be out Monday...and considerably longer than this one.
Enjoy your content.