This book served as a manual on the practices and theories of rifles and their effective use prior to, and during, the Civil War.  This copy was published in 1859 by D. Van Nostrand of New York.  Its full title is “RIFLES AND RIFLE PRACTICE: AN ELEMENTARY TREATISE UPON THE THEORY OF RIFLE FIRING, EXPLAINING THE CAUSES OF INACCURACY OF FIRE, AND THE MANNER OF CORRECTING IT – WITH DESCRIPTIONS OF INFANTRY RIFLES OF EUROPE AND THE UNITED STATES, THEIR BALLS AND CARTRIDGES by C.M. WILCOX, UNITED STATES ARMY.”

The book is covered in a slightly faded cloth but shows only minor wear at the corners and the edges of the spine. A gold gilt embossed rifleman is present on the front with an identical but plain embossment on the back.  A simple border with fleur-de-lis corner accents is noted on both covers. A title of gold gilt on the spine reads “RIFLES AND RIFLE PRACTICE” while “VAN NOSTRAND” is credited at bottom.

The inside cover is inscribed “J. L. Hommedieu(?), Jan. 22/1861 Washington City D.C.” while the flyleaf is inscribed E. W. Woodward with regards of J.L. Hommedieu(?), Jan 22/1861 Washington City D. C.” The ink used to write both has lightly oxidized to a deep shade of brown. A folding plate illustrating the types of common rifle projectiles and the differences in barrel types precedes the title page and remains in good and complete condition with no tears or damage and only light discoloration and scant foxing. Several folding plates at the back of the book are in a similarly nice condition and depict targets, targeting, and the anatomy of various rifle and rifled musket cartridges. All pages appear to be in excellent condition with very minimal foxing across select sections.

Captain Woodward entered into service on July 1, 1861, when he was mustered in as Captain and commander of Company L, 71st Pennsylvania Volunteer Infantry, transferred to Company B of the regiment on July 23, 1862, he resigned due to ill health from his field service on September 19, 1862. On July 6, 1863 he was appointed as Colonel and commander of the 44th Pennsylvania Militia, a unit mustered in to help counter the Confederate Invasion of Pennsylvania during the Gettysburg Campaign. He served until August 27, 1863, when he was his regiment were honorably discharged.

A very interesting early “manual” with a note of ownership attributed to an officer of a storied Civil War regiment.  [cm] [ph:L]

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

THIS ITEM, AS WITH ALL OTHER ITEMS AVAILABLE ON OUR WEB SITE,

MAY BE PURCHASED THROUGH OUR LAYAWAY PROGRAM.

CLICK HERE FOR OUR POLICIES AND TERMS.

THANK YOU!