An Interview with Park Guide Shawn Williams about Civil War Weapons

Park Guide Shawn Williams talks with a young visitor about Civil War weaponry.

NPS Photo / David Newmann

Park Guide Shawn Williams will be leading a black powder weapons demonstration on the park grounds on Saturday, February 15th from 11AM to 1PM. As the only trained historic weapons specialist at the park, Shawn brings a unique perspective to Civil War history and has extensive knowledge of the weaponry used during the conflict. We asked Shawn a few questions about his interest in Civil War weapons:

1. What got you interested in Civil War Weapons?

Shawn: I started doing 19th century weapons demonstrations when I worked at Vicksburg NMP. I did small arms demonstrations, and I participated in the cannon demonstrations during the summer. I always liked Civil War history, so it was nice to actually learn how to fire the weapons that Civil War soldiers would have actually used during the war.

2. What, in your opinion, was the most significant development in weaponry that affected the outcome of the Civil War?

Shawn: The most important development in weaponry before the war was the creation of the Minie' Ball. The conical shaped bullet made it possible to use a rifled weapon to hit an opponent from at least four hundred yards whereas the smoothbore weapon only had an effective range of 75-100 yards. The armies were still lining up shoulder-to-shoulder and fighting like everyone had smoothbore weapons, but they were getting hit easily because the rifled bullet was killing or wounding guys before they could even get close to their opponent. Seventy-five percent of wounds were caused by the Minie' Ball during the war.

3. What sort of training do you need to become a certified historic weapons specialist?

Shawn: To be certified in Civil War weapons, you have to attend the Historic Weapons training course at Fort McClellan in Alabama every four years to keep your certification. You will learn to fire the weapons, and use black powder safely so that you don't injure yourself, or the visitors. You learn how to keep the visitors safe, and you learn what to do if the weapon misfires whether it is small arms or the cannon. It is really more of a safety course than anything.