battle tactics
The battle tactics in which the soldiers used during the Civil War seem foolish today. Troops walked in tightly formed formations, shoulder to shoulder, towards an enemy that was heavily armed and well protected. Although this strategy appears suicidal, advancing in tight ranks, or moving forward in a close line, and shooting a concentrated amount of small fire arms against the enemy were the modern tactics of the time. Watch the below video The Civil War In4: Infantry Tactics produced by the Civil War Trust. Listen for the answers to these questions: (1) What improvements in weaponry made the Civil War battle tactics mentioned above obsolete, or out of date? (2) Although the battle tactics mentioned above seem foolish, why were they the best strategy to move toward the enemy? (3) Which battle tactic was the most effective at getting your enemy to retreat, or run away, attacking frontally or flanking? Why?