This is a complete and original Civil War paper cartridge containing powder and .58 caliber Minie ball as issued to soldiers for the standard issue rifle musket. These were arsenal made and issued to the soldier in packs of ten, along with twelve percussion cap primers. These were issued in packs of ten, with twelve percussion cap primers, with the soldier placing two unopened packs in the lower compartments of the magazine tins in his cartridge box and twenty loose rounds in the upper trays of the box for ready use. Additional packs might be issued for carriage in the pockets if a battle was expected, but “forty rounds,” was the standard load.

The Minie ball was the expanding spherical bullet initially devised in France, but improved on over hear, that would expand to take the rifling grooves, giving better range and accuracy, but load as fast as a smoothbore musket. The soldier was trained to bite off the end of the cartridge, pour the powder down the barrel, ram home the bullet, prime and fire. Battlefields were littered with the paper remnants of these cartridges.

This is in great condition and would display nicely with a cartridge box or next to one of the .58 caliber rifle muskets that were introduced in 1855 and were the standard infantry arm throughout the war.  [sr] [ph:L]

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