this post was submitted on 19 Feb 2024
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[–] [email protected] 14 points 8 months ago (3 children)

Muskets were not all that accurate. The plan, I suppose, was to get close and then rush in and fight man-to-man.

[–] perviouslyiner 10 points 8 months ago (2 children)

Lindybeige suggested that the opposite might be true, at least for the individuals

[–] [email protected] 5 points 8 months ago

I guess I was basing my comment on novels, such as the Sharpe series, rather then actual history.

[–] [email protected] 2 points 8 months ago (1 children)

They're talking about urban fighting, I imagine fighting on an open field is quite different.

[–] perviouslyiner 3 points 8 months ago (1 children)

Indeed, although this video mentions a similar effect seen in open field formations

[–] [email protected] 2 points 8 months ago

Right, but that effect seems to be quite different, and essentially the same as warfare today. It turns out people don't like killing other people.

But the "likelihood of surviving" calculus changes a bit when you're on a field with cavalry, cannons, and ranks of soldiers all around. Charging may be a more appealing option, especially if it gets you a better position (i.e. maybe the enemy has fortifications).

[–] [email protected] 2 points 8 months ago

they had rifles in like the 15th century. Widespread use by the 17th. Muzzle loading rifles. They were accurate within a meter at 900 yards.

[–] Harbinger01173430 2 points 8 months ago

The last of the human soldiers who chose to engage in proper melee combat. Smh.